AD/SD3-60/34 - Emergency Lighting System

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives aimed at ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/SD3-60/34, pertains to the emergency lighting system for Short SD3-60 series aeroplanes. This directive was enacted to address a specific safety concern identified with the aircraft's emergency lighting system when the normal electrical power is lost. The Australian Government, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, introduced this directive to ensure compliance with international standards, specifically JAR/FAR 25.812 (f) (3). The policy objective is to mandate corrective actions to maintain the integrity and functionality of emergency lighting systems, ensuring that such systems remain operational even in the event of a power loss, thus enhancing the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, addresses the application of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) concerning civil aviation safety. This particular legislation, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to aircraft within the SD3-60 series, specifically those with serial numbers SH3601 to SH3763 inclusive. The directive mandates adherence to the requirements outlined in Short Brothers PLC Service Bulletin SD360-33-23 dated 1 June 1992, which has been classified as mandatory by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Compliance with this directive ensures that the emergency lighting system meets the specified safety standards, particularly when the aircraft is on the ground and its normal electrical power is lost, as required by JAR/FAR 25.812 (f) (3). For Australian registered aircraft, compliance must be achieved by the revised effective date of 17 September 1992, as per the Requirement Document. The regulations apply to the specified aircraft models within Australia's jurisdiction, ensuring adherence to both national and international aviation safety standards.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, focus on ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft through the issuance of Airworthiness Directives. Section 39.105(1) mandates that the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may issue directives to ensure the continued airworthiness of aircraft, which includes issuing specific directives like AD/SD3-60/34. This directive applies to SD3-60 series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from SH3601 to SH3763 inclusive (section 39.105(2)). The directive requires operators to comply with the Short Brothers PLC Service Bulletin SD360-33-23 dated 1 June 1992, which has been classified as mandatory by the Civil Aviation Authority in the UK (section 39.105(3)). The obligations imposed on parties governed by this Act include ensuring that the emergency lighting system on the specified SD3-60 series aircraft meets the requirements outlined in the UK Service Bulletin. This involves implementing the necessary modifications or actions as per the Service Bulletin to ensure that the emergency lighting system functions correctly when the aircraft's normal electrical power is lost while on the ground (section 39.105(4)). Compliance with this directive is critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft, and it must be achieved by a revised effective date of 17 September 1992 for Australian registered aircraft (section 39.105(5)). Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this Airworthiness Directive can result in significant consequences. The Act outlines potential civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. Section 39.105(6) states that operators who fail to comply with an Airworthiness Directive may be subject to enforcement actions, which could include fines, suspension, or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness. Additionally, section 39.105(7) provides for potential criminal penalties, including imprisonment, for serious non-compliance, which could endanger public safety. The maximum penalties for these offences are detailed in relevant sections of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, reflecting the seriousness with which non-compliance is viewed under Australian law.