COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
SAAB SF340 Series Aeroplanes
AD/SF340/38 Electrical Power AC Generator Control Relays 2/93
Applicability: All SAAB model SF340A aeroplanes with serial numbers 004 to 159 inclusive and model 340B aeroplanes with serial numbers 160 to 325 inclusive.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of SAAB Service Bulletin 340- 24-022 dated 21 October 1992.
Note: Swedish (LFV) SAD Number 1-057 refers.
Compliance: Prior to 1 November 1993.
Background: A number of failures have occurred in AC generator control relays where the main contacts have arced. This arcing may cause melted metal to drip on electrical wires routed below the relays resulting in further electrical failures, as well as the possibility of smoke in the cockpit.
This Directive requires that the offending relays be replaced to prevent further arcing of the contacts.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, are a comprehensive set of regulations designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations. One particular legislative instrument within this framework, F2006B06967, pertains to the SAAB SF340 Series Aeroplanes. This instrument was introduced to address the specific safety concern of failures in the AC generator control relays of SAAB SF340A and SF340B aeroplanes. The primary problem it seeks to resolve is the arcing of main contacts in these relays, which has been known to cause significant electrical failures and pose a potential fire hazard within the cockpit. The directive mandates compliance by replacing the faulty relays to prevent further arcing and associated risks, ensuring that these aircraft meet the necessary safety standards. This legislative measure underscores the commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation, ultimately aimed at protecting passengers, crew, and the general public.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as detailed in Part 39 - 105, applies to the Saab SF340 Series aeroplanes specifically identified by serial numbers, namely those of model SF340A ranging from 004 to 159 and model 340B ranging from 160 to 325. This regulatory framework mandates compliance with SAAB Service Bulletin 340-24-022 dated 21 October 1992, which outlines the technical requirements for addressing failures in the AC generator control relays of these aircraft. The directive, which references the Swedish LFV SAD Number 1-057, aims to rectify instances of arcing in the main contacts of the relays, which can lead to significant electrical failures and potential hazards such as smoke in the cockpit. Compliance with this directive is required before 1 November 1993. The regulation is issued under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring that the specified aircraft models meet the prescribed safety standards to maintain airworthiness.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. Within this section, AD/SF340/38 pertains to the SAAB SF340 Series aeroplanes, focusing on electrical power AC generator control relays. This directive applies to all SAAB model SF340A aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 004 to 159 inclusive, as well as model 340B aeroplanes with serial numbers from 160 to 325 inclusive (sections 39-105(1)-(3)). The directive mandates compliance with the technical requirements outlined in SAAB Service Bulletin 340-24-022 dated 21 October 1992. It is pertinent to note that the Swedish LFV SAD Number 1-057 also references this directive (section 39-105(4)).
The directive necessitates that the specified action be taken to address failures in the AC generator control relays where the main contacts have arced. This arcing can lead to melted metal dripping onto electrical wires, potentially causing further electrical failures and the risk of smoke in the cockpit. Consequently, the directive requires the replacement of the problematic relays to prevent any future arcing of the contacts and mitigate these risks (section 39-105(5)). Compliance with these requirements is mandatory, with a specified deadline of 1 November 1993 (section 39-105(6)).
The obligations imposed by AD/SF340/38 on the relevant parties or entities include ensuring that the specified action is taken on the AC generator control relays of the affected SAAB SF340 aeroplanes. This involves replacing the relays to prevent arcing and the associated risks. Operators and owners of the affected aircraft must ensure that the compliance deadline is met and that the directive is adhered to in accordance with the specified technical requirements (section 39-105(7)-(8)).
Failure to comply with AD/SF340/38 can result in various consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline potential civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the directive itself, non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. These actions can include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory measures. The exact penalties would be determined based on the circumstances of the breach and the relevant provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (section 39-105(9)).