AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PARA/10 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Parachute Equipment
AD/PARA/10
Amdt 1
PDF Techno 240 Emergency Parachute 10/2003
Applicability: All Parachutes de France Techno 240, PN R01-240-( ) reserve parachutes. Requirement: 1. Action the following Techno 240 parachute operational limitations:
- Reduce maximum operating weight to 100 kg (total gross weight of individual and equipment, including parachute assembly).
- Set maximum pack opening speed to 130 kts (this speed, 130 kts = 65 m/s or 240 km/hr, allows maximum vertical descent rates for classical position parachutists, but prohibits “free fly” practice.
2. Accomplish the following actions:
- Remove and replace the slider and steering lines following step B and A of Parachutes de France (PDF) Service Bulletin SB1/2003/TECH240 dated 28 July 2003.
b. Modify the canopy PN marking on the marking label as per step D1 of PDF Service Bulletin SB1/2003/TECH240.
c. Fill in the packing data card in accordance with step D2 of PDF Service Bulletin SB1/2003/TECH240.
d. Disregard the owner’s Manual TECHNO 240 P9009111400 and replace it with new Owner’s Manual TECHNO 240 P9009111410 Ed 01, dated July 2003, and follow the new packing instructions.
Note: DGAC AD 2003-301(A) refers.
Compliance: 1. Effective 16 July 2003.
2. Before 1 December 2003, unless already accomplished.
The compliance time for Requirement 1 remains unchanged by this issue. This Amendment becomes effective on 2 October 2003.
Parachute Equipment
AD/PARA/10 Amdt 1 (continued)
Background: A control test by the manufacturer revealed that the maximum operating conditions as defined in the current applicable regulation, were not achieved. This could lead to a hazardous situation at maximum operating conditions.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a new DGAC AD, which introduces a service bulletin and owner’s manual from the manufacturer with certain required actions.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 16 July 2003.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 22 August 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 10 September 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) to address a safety issue identified in the Parachute Equipment of the Techno 240 Emergency Parachute model manufactured by Parachutes de France. This AD, titled AD/PARA/10 Amdt 1, was enacted to ensure the safe operation of the Techno 240 reserve parachutes by setting operational limitations and mandating specific actions to mitigate identified risks. The directive was introduced to ensure compliance with safety standards by reducing the maximum operating weight and pack opening speed, and by requiring modifications to the parachute's components and documentation. The AD was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 10 September 2003, with a compliance deadline of 1 December 2003, unless the required actions had already been completed. This directive aims to enhance the safety and reliability of the parachute equipment in use.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to all Parachutes de France Techno 240, PN R01-240-( ) reserve parachutes. The directive mandates certain operational limitations and modifications to ensure the safe operation of these parachutes. The action required includes reducing the maximum operating weight to 100 kg and setting a maximum pack opening speed to 130 knots. Additionally, the directive requires the removal and replacement of the slider and steering lines, modification of the canopy PN marking, filling in the packing data card, and replacing the owner's manual with a new version. These requirements must be met before 1 December 2003, with the directive becoming effective on 16 July 2003. This Airworthiness Directive is applicable nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia and was issued in response to findings that the original maximum operating conditions were not met, potentially leading to hazardous situations.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under section 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifies key requirements for the Parachute Equipment Techno 240 emergency parachutes manufactured by Parachutes de France. The AD applies to all Techno 240 reserve parachutes (Section 1). It mandates that the maximum operating weight must be reduced to 100 kg, including the total gross weight of the individual and equipment, and the maximum pack opening speed must be set to 130 knots (Section 1(a)). Additionally, it requires specific modifications to the parachute, including the removal and replacement of the slider and steering lines, canopy marking updates, completion of the packing data card, and the replacement of the owner's manual with the updated version (Section 1(b)-(d)).
Under this AD, the affected parties must adhere to several obligations. These include reducing the maximum operating weight to 100 kg, setting the maximum pack opening speed to 130 knots, and making specific modifications to the parachute. These modifications include removing and replacing the slider and steering lines, updating the canopy marking on the label, filling in the packing data card, and replacing the owner’s manual with the new version. These actions must be completed in accordance with the instructions provided in the Parachutes de France Service Bulletin SB1/2003/TECH240 dated 28 July 2003 (Section 1). The directive specifies that these actions must be completed before 1 December 2003, unless already accomplished (Section 2).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD may result in serious safety implications. Non-compliance could potentially lead to hazardous situations during operation. The AD is legally binding, and any breach of its provisions may be subject to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the AD, they may include fines, operational restrictions, or other regulatory measures as deemed appropriate by CASA to ensure compliance and maintain air safety standards.