COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
SAAB SF340 Series Aeroplanes
AD/SF340/40 Motor Operated Fuel Valve Actuator 2/94
Applicability: Model 340B serial numbers 340B-271 and -275 through -300 inclusive.
Requirement: Action in accordance with SAAB Aircraft AB Service Bulletin SAAB 340-28-016 dated 21 October 1992.
Note: Swedish (LFV) SAD No 1-056 dated 22 October 1992 refers.
Compliance: If not previously accomplished, then no later than 1 May 1994.
Background: The Swedish Airworthiness Authority has advised that Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) tests indicate that the actuator assemblies of certain fuel shut-off valves may fail to function after exposure to EMI, such as lightning or high intensity radiated fields (HIRF). Loss of function of the fuel shut-off valves, if not detected or corrected in a timely manner, could result in unchecked fuel leakage or fuel imbalance. Compliance with this Directive decreases the likelihood of EMI affecting the fuel valves.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, introduce the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes the AD/SF340/40 concerning the Saab SF340 series aeroplanes. This legislation was enacted to address the identified risk of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) affecting the motor-operated fuel valve actuators in certain Saab SF340B models, which could lead to unchecked fuel leakage or fuel imbalance if not rectified. The Swedish Airworthiness Authority identified this issue, leading to the requirement for specific actions outlined in SAAB Aircraft AB Service Bulletin SAAB 340-28-016 dated 21 October 1992. The policy objective behind this directive is to mitigate the risk posed by EMI, thereby enhancing aviation safety and ensuring compliance with international airworthiness standards. The directive mandates compliance by 1 May 1994, reinforcing the commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the SAAB SF340 Series Aeroplanes and mandates adherence to certain airworthiness directives, including AD/SF340/40 which addresses the Motor Operated Fuel Valve Actuator. This directive applies to Model 340B aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 340B-271 and -275 through -300. The requirement necessitates compliance with SAAB Aircraft AB Service Bulletin SAAB 340-28-016 dated 21 October 1992, as referenced by the Swedish Airworthiness Authority (LFV) through SAD No 1-056 dated 22 October 1992. The directive is designed to mitigate risks associated with Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) which could potentially cause the fuel shut-off valves to malfunction, leading to issues such as unchecked fuel leakage or fuel imbalance. Compliance with this directive must be achieved by 1 May 1994 if not already done, ensuring that the likelihood of EMI affecting the fuel valves is reduced. The application of this directive is geographically bounded to the Commonwealth of Australia, as governed by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD/SF340/40) concerning the Saab SF340 series aeroplanes. This directive pertains to the motor-operated fuel valve actuator, which applies to Model 340B serial numbers 340B-271 and -275 through -300 inclusive (Section 1). The requirement is to implement actions in accordance with Saab Aircraft AB Service Bulletin SAAB 340-28-016 dated 21 October 1992, which references Swedish Airworthiness Authority (LFV) SAD No 1-056 dated 22 October 1992 (Section 2). The directive mandates that if the required actions have not been completed prior to the compliance date, they must be carried out no later than 1 May 1994 (Section 3).
Operators and owners of the specified Saab SF340 series aeroplanes are obligated to ensure that the motor-operated fuel valve actuators are modified as specified in the referenced service bulletin. This requirement is to address potential failures of the actuator assemblies due to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), such as lightning or high intensity radiated fields (HIRF), which could lead to fuel shut-off valve malfunctions (Section 4). Failure to comply with this directive could result in unchecked fuel leakage or fuel imbalance, thereby compromising the safety of the aircraft (Section 5).
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/SF340/40 may result in severe consequences. Civil aviation authorities have the power to enforce penalties against operators or owners who do not adhere to the requirements of this airworthiness directive. The penalties can include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory actions to ensure compliance and maintain aviation safety standards. The exact penalties are not specified in the directive, but they can be severe under the broader Civil Aviation Regulations framework (Section 6).