AD/SD3-60/20 Amdt 1 - Electrical Power - Contactor Body

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39, include Airworthiness Directives that are essential for ensuring the safety and reliability of aircraft in operation. The AD/SD3-60/20 Amendment 1 pertains to Short SD3-60 Series Aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers SH 3601 through SH 3695. This directive was enacted to address a recognised safety concern related to the electrical power contactors of these aircraft. The problem it aims to resolve is the need for proper insulation of the contactor bodies, as experience has shown that uninsulated contactor bodies can lead to electrical failures, potentially compromising flight safety. The directive mandates compliance by 30 April 1987, reflecting the urgency and importance of the issue. The enactment of these regulations by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, aims to ensure that aircraft maintain a high standard of airworthiness. The policy objective is to mitigate risks associated with electrical system failures in the specified aircraft models by requiring adherence to the manufacturers' revised torque procedure, as referenced in Shorts S.B. SD360-24-06 Revision 1. The directive was amended to incorporate updated procedures, demonstrating a commitment to safety through continuous improvement and responsiveness to new information.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, pertains to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. The regulation focuses on the Short SD3-60 Series Aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers ranging from SH 3601 through SH 3695. The directive mandates the modification of the electrical power contactors in these aircraft to comply with the requirements outlined in Shorts Service Bulletin SD360-24-06 Revision 1, which has been classified as mandatory by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Compliance with this directive is necessary before 30 April 1987, reflecting the need for timely updates to address identified safety issues. This legislative instrument highlights the importance of adhering to international standards and addressing specific technical requirements to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation, particularly Section 1, specify the applicability of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) to all model SD3-60 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from SH 3601 to SH 3695. Section 2 outlines the requirement to modify the electrical power contactors in accordance with the specifications provided in Shorts Service Bulletin (S.B.) SD360-24-06 Revision 1. The note in Section 3 clarifies that the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has classified this service bulletin as mandatory, indicating the importance and urgency of the modifications. Compliance with these modifications must be achieved before 30 April 1987 as stated in Section 4. The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties or entities it governs. These entities, primarily aircraft owners and operators, must ensure that the electrical power contactors on their SD3-60 aircraft are modified as per the detailed specifications in Shorts S.B. SD360-24-06 Revision 1. This requirement is critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring the safety of all individuals on board. The directive mandates that these modifications are not only to be made but also documented and verified to demonstrate compliance before the specified deadline. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in severe consequences. The legislation does not explicitly detail the specific offences or penalties within the text provided, but it is understood that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to substantial civil and criminal penalties. These may include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance results in accidents or safety incidents. The severity of the penalties reflects the critical nature of maintaining aircraft safety standards.