AD/SF340/47 - Flap Fittings at WS 123.38

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, incorporates Airworthiness Directives (ADs) aimed at maintaining the safety and airworthiness of civil aircraft. One such directive, AD/SF340/47, was introduced to address issues related to the flap fittings of the Saab SF340 Series aeroplanes. This directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to respond to a reported incident of a jammed flap assembly in Saab SF340 aircraft. The problem identified involved the failure of a rear lug of a flap fitting at wing station 123.38, leading to a broken part and excessive wear on the bushing. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure compliance with SAAB Service Bulletin 340-57-027 to prevent similar incidents by mandating an inspection within 800 hours of time in service following the issuance of the directive on 22 June 1995. The directive applies to the Saab SF340A series with serial numbers ranging from 004 to 159 and the Saab SF340B series with serial numbers from 160 to 379. The requirement is for operators to perform the necessary actions as outlined in the SAAB Service Bulletin to rectify any identified issues with the flap fittings. The directive references the Requirement Document to ensure that all specified actions are carried out appropriately. This regulatory measure is essential in maintaining the operational safety of these aircraft and preventing potential in-flight hazards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the SAAB SF340 Series Aeroplanes. This legislative instrument mandates certain actions for the maintenance and safety of these aircraft, particularly focusing on the flap fittings at WS 123.38. The directive applies to the Model SF 340A with serial numbers ranging from 004 through 159, and the Model SF 340B with serial numbers from 160 through 379. The requirement for compliance involves action in accordance with SAAB Service Bulletin 340-57-027, with a specific reference to LFV AD 1-072. Compliance necessitates an initial inspection within 800 hours of time in service after 22 June 1995, following the reported issue of a jammed flap assembly due to a broken rear lug and worn bushing. This directive is enforced nationally under the Commonwealth of Australia and ensures that the specified aircraft meet necessary safety standards.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/SF340/47, pertain to the Saab SF340 series aeroplanes, focusing on the flap fittings at WS 123.38. Section 39.105 of the Regulations mandates compliance with SAAB Service Bulletin 340-57-027 for specified models of the SF340, namely SF 340A with serial numbers 004 through 159, and SF 340B with serial numbers 160 through 379. The directive requires action to be taken to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft, in response to a reported incident where a jammed flap assembly was linked to a broken rear lug and worn bushing in one of the flap fittings at WS 123.38. The regulation notes that an unfavourable tolerance combination had led to high bearing stress on the bushing, thus necessitating corrective measures as outlined in the referenced service bulletin. The obligations imposed by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 on the parties and entities governed by AD/SF340/47 are clear and specific. Owners and operators of the affected Saab SF340 aircraft must ensure that the required actions are undertaken in accordance with the SAAB Service Bulletin 340-57-027. This involves performing the initial inspection of the flap fittings at WS 123.38 within 800 hours of time in service after 22 June 1995. Furthermore, the compliance with this directive is to be documented in the Requirement Document, which serves as a record of the actions taken to meet the regulatory requirements. Additionally, operators must adhere to the detailed procedures and specifications provided in the service bulletin to address the identified issue. In terms of the consequences for non-compliance with AD/SF340/47, it is important to note that breaches of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in significant penalties. While the specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed within the text of the regulation itself, it is well-established within the framework of Australian aviation law that non-compliance can lead to fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges in cases where negligence or willful disregard of safety regulations is established. The severity of the penalties may depend on the degree of negligence, the potential risk posed by the non-compliance, and any resulting harm or damage. Operators are therefore strongly advised to ensure full compliance to avoid these serious consequences.