AD/REC/2 - Fairchild Cockpit Voice Recorder - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of Part 39 - 107 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically address the critical issue of cockpit voice and flight data recording systems, with AD/REC/2 focusing on the Fairchild Cockpit Voice Recorder Model A100 Series. This legislative instrument was enacted to ensure that the specified Fairchild Industrial Products Cockpit Voice Recorders, with serial numbers ranging from 4733 to 5260 inclusive, adhere to the technical requirements outlined in Fairchild Industrial Products Alert Service Bulletin No CVR A140. This directive was introduced to address a specific safety concern where the thermal insulation assembly PN 9300-A18 was inadvertently omitted from certain recorders, posing a risk of tape destruction in the event of an aircraft fire. The objective is to mitigate this risk by mandating compliance with the specified technical requirements, ensuring the integrity of the voice recording system in critical situations. The enactment of this regulation by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority aims to enhance the safety and reliability of air travel by enforcing stringent standards on cockpit voice recorders. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Commonwealth of Australia, were enacted to provide comprehensive regulations governing civil aviation safety, including the detailed specifications for airworthiness directives. The specific directive AD/REC/2 on the Fairchild Cockpit Voice Recorder Model A100 Series underscores the commitment to safety by addressing previously identified deficiencies in the recorders' design. This directive was effective from 4 February 1993, building on previous compliance requirements set forth in CAO 107 AD/RAD/41, effective from 30 November 1981. The policy objective is clear: to ensure that all affected recorders are modified to include the necessary thermal insulation to prevent the destruction of the recording tape during an aircraft fire, thereby preserving critical data that could be essential for post-accident investigations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandate the inspection and modification of Fairchild Cockpit Voice Recorder Model A100 Series within the serial number range of 4733 to 5260 inclusive. This regulation applies directly to the mentioned model and serial number range of the recorders, requiring compliance with the technical specifications outlined in Fairchild Industrial Products Alert Service Bulletin No CVR A140. The directive extends its applicability nationally, within the Commonwealth of Australia, and is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive became effective on 4 February 1993, with prior compliance to the earlier CAO 107 AD/RAD/41 considered adequate if completed by 30 November 1981. Notably, the directive does not specify any exclusions or exemptions and applies to all entities possessing the affected recorders. Compliance with this regulation is crucial to ensure the thermal insulation assembly PN 9300-A18 is correctly installed, thereby preventing potential destruction of the recording tape in the event of an aircraft accident involving fire.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/REC/2 (Part 39 - 107), pertain to the Fairchild Cockpit Voice Recorder Model A100 Series, with serial numbers ranging from 4733 to 5260 inclusive. This section mandates that any affected recorders must be inspected and modified in line with the technical requirements outlined in Fairchild Industrial Products Alert Service Bulletin No CVR A140 (Section 1). The directive refers to FAA Airworthiness Directive 81-04-06 Amendment 39-4039 for further context (Section 2). The directive became effective on 4 February 1993 and states that prior compliance with CAO 107 AD/RAD/41, issued on 30 November 1981, is considered sufficient compliance (Section 3). The Civil Aviation Regulations impose specific obligations on the entities governed by this directive. Aircraft operators, maintenance service providers, and other relevant parties must ensure that the Fairchild Cockpit Voice Recorders within the specified serial number range are inspected and modified as per the instructions in Fairchild Industrial Products Alert Service Bulletin No CVR A140 (Section 4). This involves the installation of the thermal insulation assembly PN 9300-A18, which was omitted in the original manufacturing process, to prevent potential damage to the recording tape in the event of an aircraft fire (Section 5). Failure to comply with these requirements may result in non-compliance with aviation safety standards. The Civil Aviation Regulations also detail the potential consequences for non-compliance with AD/REC/2. Although specific penalties are not stated in the directive, breaches of civil aviation safety regulations can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions can include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other administrative penalties (Section 6). Additionally, non-compliance may lead to safety risks that could result in criminal liability for those responsible, particularly if such risks contribute to accidents or incidents involving aircraft (Section 7).