COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
SAAB SF340 Series Aeroplanes
AD/SF340/45 Fuselage - Overwing Emergency Exit Beams 5/95
Applicability: SAAB 340B aircraft S/N 324-341, and 347 inclusive.
Requirement: Carry out a fluorescent dye penetrant inspection of the fuselage beams, P/N 7253742- 331/ -332, located above the overwing emergency exits.
Inspect in accordance with SAAB Service Bulletin (SB) 340-53-047.
Note: Swedish AD SAD 1-065 refers.
Compliance: Inspect not later than the next 4 000 hours check after 27 April 1995.
Background: Cracks have been detected in a production batch of the beams which are installed above the overwing emergency exit. There is a possibility that some of the cracked beams may have been installed on aircraft. This once only inspection will ensure that discrepant beams are detected and removed.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, introduced Airworthiness Directives (AD) to address safety concerns within the aviation sector. One such AD is AD/SF340/45 concerning SAAB SF340 Series aeroplanes, enacted to respond to the detection of cracks in fuselage beams above the overwing emergency exits. This directive was developed to ensure that any beams exhibiting such flaws are identified and replaced, thereby mitigating potential safety risks. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia, established this directive to maintain the highest safety standards, ensuring the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft.
The policy objective behind AD/SF340/45 is to mandate a fluorescent dye penetrant inspection of specified fuselage beams on SAAB 340B aircraft, specifically serial numbers 324-341 and 347 inclusive. This inspection, to be conducted in accordance with SAAB Service Bulletin 340-53-047, is required not later than the next 4,000 hours check following 27 April 1995. This regulatory action is in response to identified structural weaknesses, aiming to prevent any potential failure of the emergency exit beams, thereby safeguarding passenger and crew safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Saab SF340 Series Aeroplanes and mandates a fluorescent dye penetrant inspection of the fuselage beams located above the overwing emergency exits. This requirement applies to Saab 340B aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 324 to 341, and 347 inclusive. The inspection must be conducted in accordance with Saab Service Bulletin (SB) 340-53-047 and should not be completed later than the next 4,000-hour check following 27 April 1995. This directive stems from the detection of cracks in a specific production batch of the beams, necessitating this one-time inspection to identify and address any discrepant beams to ensure aircraft safety. The regulation is applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with no specified exclusions or exemptions in the provided text. Subordinate instruments may further extend or refine the application of these directives.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, details the requirements and obligations concerning the airworthiness of the SAAB SF340 Series aeroplanes, focusing on the fuselage overwing emergency exit beams. Section 5/95 mandates that a fluorescent dye penetrant inspection be conducted on the fuselage beams, specifically those with part numbers 7253742-331/-332, which are located above the overwing emergency exits. This inspection must be carried out in accordance with SAAB Service Bulletin (SB) 340-53-047, and the compliance deadline is set not later than the next 4,000-hour check following 27 April 1995. This directive is also referenced in Swedish AD SAD 1-065.
Entities governed by this legislation, primarily those operating SAAB 340B aircraft serial numbers 324 to 341, and 347 inclusive, are required to adhere to these inspection protocols. The inspection must be thorough and conducted by qualified personnel who are familiar with the procedures outlined in the SAAB Service Bulletin. The objective is to detect any cracks in the beams, which have been identified in a production batch, and ensure that any affected beams are identified and removed from service to maintain airworthiness.
Failure to comply with these directives can result in severe consequences. Non-compliance could potentially lead to the operation of an aircraft with compromised structural integrity, which poses a significant safety risk. In the event of non-compliance, the responsible parties may face penalties as stipulated by the Civil Aviation Regulations. While the specific penalties are not detailed in this particular section, the overarching regulations typically include fines, suspension or revocation of operating licenses, and other civil or criminal sanctions, depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety.