COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
SAAB SF340 Series Aeroplanes
AD/SF340/11 Pitot Systems Water Traps 11/88
Applicability: Model SF340A with serial numbers 004 through 138.
Requirement: Action in accordance with SAAB Scania AB Service Bulletin SF340-34-056 dated 1 August 1988 or later revision.
Note: Swedish Airworthiness Directive No. 1-027 refers.
Compliance: Prior to 31 December 1988.
Background: Water intrusion into the pitot systems may occur in heavy rain. This can result in ice blocking the systems leading to erroneous air data signals.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, established by the Australian Parliament, aim to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. Specifically, Part 39 of these regulations pertains to the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue airworthiness directives to address identified safety issues. One such directive, AD/SF340/11, was introduced in 1988 to tackle the problem of water intrusion in the pitot systems of the Saab SF340 Series aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers ranging from 004 through 138. The policy objective behind this directive is to mitigate the risk of erroneous air data signals caused by ice blockages in the pitot systems, which could occur due to water ingress during heavy rainfall, thereby ensuring the continued safety of air operations. Compliance with the directive, which requires adherence to SAAB Scania AB Service Bulletin SF340-34-056 dated 1 August 1988 or any later revisions, must be achieved by 31 December 1988.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as outlined in Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically address Saab SF340 Series aeroplanes, focusing on the model SF340A with serial numbers ranging from 004 to 138. This regulation mandates compliance with SAAB Scania AB Service Bulletin SF340-34-056 dated 1 August 1988 or any subsequent revisions. The directive is also cross-referenced with Swedish Airworthiness Directive No. 1-027, underscoring its international relevance. The requirement is for the action to be completed prior to 31 December 1988 to mitigate the risk of water intrusion into the pitot systems during heavy rain, which can lead to ice blockage and erroneous air data signals. This regulation applies to the specified models and serial numbers of the Saab SF340A aeroplanes, ensuring safety standards are met to prevent potential in-flight hazards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/SF340/11 concerning SAAB SF340 Series aeroplanes and their pitot systems water traps. This directive applies to the model SF340A with serial numbers ranging from 004 to 138. The primary requirement of this directive is that the action must be taken in accordance with SAAB Scania AB Service Bulletin SF340-34-056 dated 1 August 1988 or any later revisions. Additionally, it references Swedish Airworthiness Directive No. 1-027, highlighting the international cooperation in ensuring air safety standards. The compliance deadline for these actions is set for 31 December 1988, ensuring timely implementation to mitigate risks associated with water intrusion.
This legislation imposes specific obligations on the operators of the affected SAAB SF340A aeroplanes. Operators must ensure that their aircraft meet the requirements set forth in the Service Bulletin SF340-34-056. This includes conducting necessary inspections, maintenance, or modifications to the pitot systems to prevent water intrusion, which can lead to ice blockage and erroneous air data signals. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, and failure to adhere to the specified timeline could result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, thereby preventing it from operating legally in Australian airspace.
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 establish clear consequences for non-compliance with the Airworthiness Directive AD/SF340/11. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with such directives generally results in severe repercussions. These may include fines, operational restrictions, or even grounding of the aircraft. In extreme cases, persistent non-compliance could lead to prosecution under civil or criminal law, depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety. The overarching aim of these provisions is to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the public.