AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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.
Radio Communication and Navigation Equipment
AD/RAD/80 AT150 Transponder 8/2004
Applicability: Narco Avionics Inc. AT150 transponders with "Chassis Level A", serial numbers (S/Ns) 10000 through 12598 inclusive.
Requirement: 1. For transponders that are not modified in accordance with Narco Service Bulletin (SB) AT150 No. 1 dated 29 July 1977, and with a S/N identified in the Applicability Statement, accomplish Narco SB AT150 No. 6, dated 31 January 2003.
2. For transponders that are modified in accordance with Narco SB AT150 No. 1, and with a S/N identified in the Applicability Statement, accomplish the following:
- Change transponder "Chassis Level” marking to “B”,
b. Test the transponders in accordance with the Testing the Modification paragraph of Narco SB AT150 No. 6, and
c. Perform a bench test to the transponder before returning it to service.
Note 1: Information on bench testing can be found in AT150 Manual P/N 03606- 0600.
Note 2: FAA AD 2004-08-16 Amdt 39-13586 refers.
Compliance: For Requirements 1 and 2 -Within six months after the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 5 August 2004.
Radio Communication and Navigation Equipment
AD/RAD/80 (continued)
Background: This Directive requires modification to the transponder by the addition of a resistor and transistor to the circuit board. This results from reports to the United States Federal aviation administration of AT150 transponders not recognizing and responding properly to Mode S interrogations from Mode S ground stations and Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS-II) airborne equipment. The Directive is intended to prevent loss of aircraft airspace separation and the possibility of mid-air collision.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 24 June 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 July 2004.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive AD/RAD/80 issued in 2004 under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) addresses a safety issue concerning Narco Avionics Inc. AT150 transponders with specific serial numbers. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), through its delegate James Coyne, issued this directive to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft components. The primary problem it seeks to resolve is the improper recognition and response of AT150 transponders to Mode S interrogations from ground stations and airborne equipment, which could potentially lead to loss of airspace separation and mid-air collisions. The directive mandates specific modifications to the transponders to correct this unsafe condition, ensuring compliance within six months of the directive's effective date of 5 August 2004.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive applies specifically to Narco Avionics Inc. AT150 transponders with "Chassis Level A", serial numbers (S/Ns) ranging from 10000 to 12598 inclusive. The directive is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, James Coyne, under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998). The purpose of this AD is to address an unsafe condition identified in the operation of certain AT150 transponders, particularly their improper response to Mode S interrogations from Mode S ground stations and Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS-II) airborne equipment. The directive mandates specific actions to ensure that the identified transponders are modified to prevent potential loss of aircraft airspace separation and the risk of mid-air collisions. Compliance with this AD is mandatory within six months of its effective date, which is 5 August 2004. The AD is applicable nationwide within the Commonwealth of Australia, as notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 July 2004.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 targets Narco Avionics Inc. AT150 transponders with "Chassis Level A" and serial numbers (S/Ns) ranging from 10000 to 12598 inclusive. This AD mandates specific actions to address safety concerns, as outlined in the requirement section (section 1). Transponders that have not been modified in accordance with Narco Service Bulletin (SB) AT150 No. 1 dated 29 July 1977 must complete Narco SB AT150 No. 6 dated 31 January 2003. Conversely, for transponders modified per Narco SB AT150 No. 1 and within the identified serial number range, the directive requires a change in the transponder "Chassis Level" marking to "B", testing as specified in the Testing the Modification paragraph of Narco SB AT150 No. 6, and a bench test before returning the transponder to service. Detailed bench testing information is available in the AT150 Manual P/N 03606-0600, and reference is made to FAA AD 2004-08-16 Amdt 39-13586.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties governed by it. The primary obligation is to ensure that the actions specified in the requirement section are carried out for the applicable transponders. This includes modifying the transponders in accordance with the specified service bulletins, testing them as outlined, and conducting a bench test before reintroducing the transponders into service. These obligations are intended to address the identified safety issue and prevent potential aircraft separation issues and mid-air collisions. Compliance with the AD is mandatory, and failure to adhere to these requirements can result in serious safety repercussions.
Failure to comply with the AD may lead to civil or criminal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an AD can result in enforcement actions by CASA. The potential penalties for non-compliance can include fines and, in severe cases, prosecution under the criminal law. The specific penalties for breaching AD requirements are determined by the nature and severity of the non-compliance. For instance, individuals or entities found in breach of the AD may face fines up to the maximum allowable under the Act. Additionally, continued non-compliance could lead to further enforcement actions, including grounding of the aircraft or grounding of the specific aeronautical products until compliance is achieved.