Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) are a comprehensive set of regulations enacted by the Australian Government to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation was enacted to address the need for stringent regulations governing civil aviation, aiming to maintain high safety standards and protect the public from aviation-related risks. The CAR 1998 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia and is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is tasked with ensuring compliance with these regulations. One of the key policy objectives of the CAR 1998 is to maintain a robust regulatory framework that promotes safety in civil aviation while facilitating the efficient and orderly development of the aviation industry. The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the CAR 1998 is a specific regulatory tool used by CASA to mandate actions that address identified safety issues. In this instance, AD/SF340/82, issued on 21 February 2002, addresses a safety concern related to the Saab SF340 Series aeroplanes, specifically models SF340A and SF340B. The directive mandates modifications to the DC electrical over voltage/feeder test circuit to enhance the resilience of the DC generator system against lightning strikes, following reports of generators dropping off line during such events. This directive aims to mitigate pilot workload and ensure continued operational safety of the affected aircraft models.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and detailing Airworthiness Directives, applies to certain aircraft within the Australian jurisdiction. This particular AD/SF340/82, issued on 14 January 2002, mandates modifications to the DC electrical over voltage/feeder test circuit for Saab SF340 Series aeroplanes, more precisely, Model SF340A aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/N) ranging from 004 through 159, and Model 340B aeroplanes with serial numbers from 160 through 379. The directive requires compliance within 5000 hours of time in service after the effective date of the directive, which is 21 February 2002, but no later than 21 February 2004. The directive aims to address instances where the DC generators on Saab 340 aeroplanes have dropped off line during a lightning strike, necessitating manual intervention to reset them, and in some cases, manual reset did not correct the malfunction. The AD is an instrument extending the application of the regulations by specifying particular requirements and actions necessary to ensure the airworthiness of the affected aircraft.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, are contained within an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This AD pertains to the Saab SF340 Series Aeroplanes and specifically targets the DC Test Switches (AD/SF340/82 DC Test Switches 2/2002). According to the AD, the modification of the DC electrical over voltage/feeder test circuit is mandated for Saab SF340A aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/N) ranging from 004 to 159 inclusive and Saab SF340B aeroplanes with S/N from 160 to 379 inclusive. The directive requires that the modification be carried out in accordance with Saab Aircraft AB Mandatory Service Bulletin SAAB 340-24-023 Revision 2 dated 15 November 2001. The obligations imposed by this AD on the relevant parties or entities include ensuring that the specified modifications are performed on the aircraft within 5000 hours of time in service after the effective date of the directive, which is 21 February 2002, and no later than 21 February 2004. This compliance timeline is critical to maintaining the safety standards required by CASA. Additionally, the AD references the Swedish Luftfartsverket’s advice regarding instances of DC generators dropping off line during a lightning strike, which necessitated manual reset to bring them back online. The modifications are intended to address these safety concerns by making the DC generator system more resilient to lightning strikes. Failure to comply with the AD's requirements could result in significant civil and criminal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with ADs under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 typically involves substantial fines and potential criminal charges. Additionally, continued operation of non-compliant aircraft poses a significant safety risk, which could lead to further regulatory action, including the grounding of the aircraft until the necessary modifications are completed. This underscores the importance of adhering to the AD’s stipulations to ensure both regulatory compliance and the safety of air operations.