COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
SAAB SF340 Series Aeroplanes
AD/SF340/91 Main Landing Gear Separation Bolt Electrical
Harness Replacement
6/2003
Applicability: Model SF340A aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/N) 004 through 159 inclusive and Model 340B aeroplanes with S/N 160 through 459 inclusive
Requirement: Replace the main landing gear (MLG) separation bolt harness in accordance with Saab Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SAAB 340-32-128 dated 28 March 2003.
Note: LFV AD 1-189 refers.
Compliance: Before 1 April 2004.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 12 June 2003.
Background: Saab has received a number of reports of MLG separation bolt electrical harnesses having broken wires and corroded connectors. If the harness is incorrectly installed or repaired, the function of the separation bolt could be inhibited and consequently the emergency landing gear extension system will not be fully available.
This Directive requires the replacement MLG separation bolt electrical harness with a new improved harness and supersedes AD/SF340/88, which provided for an interim inspection and repair of the existing harness.
Jim Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 24 April 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 May 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) were enacted to ensure the highest standards of safety in civil aviation, addressing gaps in the regulation of aviation safety in Australia. As a legislative instrument of the Commonwealth of Australia, these regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The policy objective of the CASR is to protect the public and promote the safe operation of aircraft through stringent safety standards and oversight. One such measure is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (AD), which are legally binding orders that mandate specific actions to rectify identified safety issues. For instance, AD/SF340/91, issued in June 2003, pertains to Saab SF340 series aeroplanes and mandates the replacement of the main landing gear separation bolt electrical harness to prevent potential failures that could compromise aircraft safety. This directive, effective from 12 June 2003, was introduced in response to multiple reports of broken wires and corroded connectors in the electrical harnesses, which could inhibit the function of the separation bolt and compromise the emergency landing gear extension system.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically AD/SF340/91, applies to Saab SF340 Series aeroplanes, including the Model SF340A with serial numbers ranging from 004 to 159 and Model 340B with serial numbers from 160 to 459. The directive mandates the replacement of the main landing gear separation bolt electrical harness to address safety concerns identified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The requirement to replace the harness must be carried out in accordance with Saab Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SAAB 340-32-128 dated 28 March 2003, and compliance must be achieved before 1 April 2004. This AD is effective from 12 June 2003 and aims to rectify an issue where broken wires and corroded connectors in the main landing gear separation bolt electrical harness could inhibit the function of the separation bolt, thereby affecting the availability of the emergency landing gear extension system. This directive is a national measure within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that the specified aircraft models meet required safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, contain the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. Section 39.1 (1) provides the authority for CASA to issue Airworthiness Directives (AD). The AD for the Saab SF340 Series aeroplanes, issued as AD/SF340/91, mandates the replacement of the main landing gear (MLG) separation bolt electrical harness to address reported issues of broken wires and corroded connectors, which could impair the functionality of the separation bolt and the emergency landing gear extension system. The AD applies to Model SF340A aeroplanes with serial numbers (S/N) 004 through 159 and Model 340B aeroplanes with S/N 160 through 459.
This AD imposes specific obligations on the operators of affected aircraft. They must ensure that the replacement of the MLG separation bolt electrical harness is performed in accordance with the instructions provided in Saab Aircraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SAAB 340-32-128 dated 28 March 2003. The directive further clarifies that this action must be undertaken before 1 April 2004. Failure to comply with this directive may result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, potentially leading to operational restrictions or grounding of the aeroplanes. The directive also references LFV AD 1-189, indicating that there may be additional regulatory context or requirements that operators need to consider.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the AD may result in significant consequences. Civil penalties can be imposed for non-compliance, including fines and potential legal action against the operators for failing to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. In extreme cases, CASA may issue a Notice of Jeopardy, which could lead to the suspension or revocation of the aircraft's Certificate of Airworthiness. Such actions not only have legal ramifications but can also affect the operational readiness and safety of the aircraft, potentially impacting passenger safety and the reputation of the airline.