AD/SF340/65 Amdt 1 - Brake Installation Combination

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, provide a framework for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of civil aviation operations. Part 39, specifically within the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, focuses on maintaining the safety standards of particular aircraft types. Among these directives is the AD/SF340/65 Amendment 1, which addresses the brake installation combination for the Saab SF340 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the problem of unbalanced aircraft handling and degraded brake performance caused by certain brake installation configurations. The objective of this policy is to ensure that only symmetrical brake installation configurations are used, thereby enhancing the overall safety of the aircraft. The amendment became effective on 30 December 1999, requiring compliance before 29 February 2000, unless already completed. This legislative instrument is a critical component in maintaining the stringent safety standards required in the aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the legislative framework of the Commonwealth of Australia. This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerns the Saab SF340 Series aeroplanes, with Amendment 1 focusing on the brake installation combination. It applies to Saab SF340A models with serial numbers ranging from 004 to 159 and Saab SF340B models with serial numbers ranging from 160 to 459, which are equipped with either an ABSC Brake Stack or a Hitco Technologies, Inc. Brake Stack Kit, as specified by FAA STC No. ST00341LA. The requirement stipulates adherence to the action outlined in SAAB Aircraft Service Bulletin SAAB 340-32-114. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be completed before 29 February 2000 unless already accomplished, with the Amendment becoming effective on 30 December 1999. The directive aims to ensure safety by mandating symmetrical brake installation configurations to avoid potential handling issues and brake performance degradation.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/SF340/65 Amendment 1 (section 39-105) require specific actions to be taken for the Saab SF340 Series aeroplanes. The directive applies to Saab SF 340A aeroplanes with serial numbers 004 through 159 and Saab SF 340B aeroplanes with serial numbers 160 through 459 that are equipped with ABSC Brake Stack or Hitco Technologies, Inc. Brake Stack Kit, as specified by FAA STC No. ST00341LA. The requirement is for operators to perform the action as outlined in Saab Aircraft Service Bulletin SAAB 340-32-114. Compliance with this directive must be completed before 29 February 2000, unless the action has already been accomplished. The amendment itself became effective on 30 December 1999. This directive imposes obligations on the operators of the specified Saab SF340 Series aeroplanes to ensure that the brake installation adheres to the requirements set out in the Saab Aircraft Service Bulletin SAAB 340-32-114. Operators must ensure that only symmetrical brake installation configurations are used to avoid an unbalanced aircraft handling situation and degradation of brake performance. This involves following the detailed instructions provided in the service bulletin, which may include specific modifications or inspections of the brake system. Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive can result in significant safety risks. Although the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly outline specific penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives in this section, non-compliance generally falls under broader civil aviation safety regulations. Breaches of these regulations can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including the imposition of fines or other regulatory sanctions. The exact penalties can vary depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance, but they can be substantial, reflecting the critical importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to ensure public safety in aviation.