COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
SAAB SF340 Series Aeroplanes
AD/SF340/68 Power Plant - Engine Mount Inspection 2/99
DM
Applicability: SAAB Model SF340A, serial numbers -004 through -159 and SAAB Model 340B aeroplanes, serial numbers -160 through -459.
Requirement: 1. Perform engine mount inspection in accordance with SAAB Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SAAB 340-71-057 Rev 01 dated 18 December 1998, or later revision.
2. Repeat inspection at 1. Above.
Note: LFV Airworthiness Directive 1-135 R1 dated 18 December 1998 refers.
Compliance: 1. Unless already accomplished, within 400 flight hours of the effective date of this Directive.
2. Every 250 flight hours if required in para 2.B(6) of SAAB Aircraft AB Mandatory Service Bulletin SAAB 340-71-057 R01, dated 18 December 1998.
Initial compliance against SAAB 340-71-057, dated 20 November 1998 is an acceptable means of compliance with requirement 1) and 2) above if achieved before the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 13 January 1999.
Background: Certain bottom forward engine mounts have been found to be degraded after a short period in service. This degradation reduces the redundancy and damping effects of the engine support system and can lead to heavy chafing of the nacelle structure and fire sensor loop with consequent reduction in safety of the structure and sensor system. This Directive mandates a Country of Origin inspection to locate degraded mounts and replace as necessary.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, form a comprehensive framework governing the safety and operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. A particular legislative instrument, F2006B06997, was introduced as part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 to address specific safety concerns associated with the Saab SF340 series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument, in the form of an Airworthiness Directive, was designed to ensure that engine mount inspections on the affected Saab aircraft are conducted to prevent degradation issues that could compromise the safety of the aircraft. The policy objective is to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation by mandating regular inspections and timely maintenance actions on identified parts of the aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, which includes the Airworthiness Directive AD/SF340/68, applies to SAAB Model SF340A aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from -004 to -159, as well as SAAB Model 340B aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from -160 to -459. The directive is designed to address the degradation of certain bottom forward engine mounts, which have been found to reduce the redundancy and damping effects of the engine support system, potentially leading to chafing of the nacelle structure and fire sensor loop, thereby compromising safety. Compliance with this directive involves conducting engine mount inspections in accordance with SAAB Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SAAB 340-71-057 Rev 01, dated 18 December 1998, or any subsequent revisions. The initial inspection must be completed within 400 flight hours from the directive's effective date of 13 January 1999, and subsequent inspections are mandated every 250 flight hours, as detailed in the aforementioned service bulletin. Compliance achieved against SAAB 340-71-057, dated 20 November 1998, is acceptable if completed before the directive's effective date. This directive ensures that the specified SAAB aeroplanes maintain the required safety standards by mandating thorough and regular inspections of the engine mounts.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the Airworthiness Directives (AD) pertinent to various aircraft, including the SAAB SF340 series aeroplanes. This particular directive, AD/SF340/68, addresses the power plant engine mount inspection for SAAB Model SF340A and SAAB Model 340B aeroplanes. It mandates inspections to be carried out in accordance with SAAB Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SAAB 340-71-057 Rev 01 dated 18 December 1998, or any subsequent revisions. The directive applies to specific serial numbers: SF340A from -004 through -159 and SF340B from -160 through -459.
Compliance with this directive requires operators to perform the engine mount inspection within 400 flight hours of the directive's effective date, which is 13 January 1999. If specified by the service bulletin, the inspection must then be repeated every 250 flight hours. Notably, compliance with SAAB 340-71-057 dated 20 November 1998 is acceptable if it was achieved before the directive's effective date. This directive aims to identify and rectify any degradation in the bottom forward engine mounts, which, if left unchecked, can lead to significant safety issues such as reduced redundancy and damping in the engine support system, as well as potential fire hazards due to chafing of the nacelle structure and fire sensor loop.
Operators of the specified SAAB SF340 aeroplanes must ensure adherence to the outlined inspection procedures. This involves following the detailed steps and protocols set forth in the relevant SAAB Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletins. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the aeroplane being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding and other regulatory actions. The directive underscores the importance of maintaining the structural integrity and safety of the engine mount system to prevent potential accidents and ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft.
Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, failure to comply with Airworthiness Directives can result in severe consequences. Non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including fines, enforcement notices, and even prosecution. The exact penalties are determined based on the severity of the breach and can include substantial financial penalties. Additionally, persistent non-compliance could result in the suspension or revocation of the operator's licence, thereby affecting their ability to continue operations. The overarching goal of these stringent measures is to ensure that all aircraft maintain the highest safety standards and that any identified issues are promptly and effectively addressed.