AD/SWSA226/42 Amdt 1 - Prohibition of Flight into Known Icing Conditions - Placard

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, addresses safety measures for specific aircraft models through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. The Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 Series Aeroplanes are subject to AD/SWSA226/42 Amendment 1, which specifically targets the prohibition of flight into known icing conditions for certain models. This amendment was enacted to address the problem of inadequate propeller de-icing as indicated by overseas operational experience and follows the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Directive 82-05-05, which withdrew approval for operations in icing conditions. The policy objective is to enhance flight safety by ensuring that pilots are clearly informed of the dangers associated with flying in known icing conditions. The requirement outlined in this directive mandates the installation of a placard with a minimum of 1/4 inch lettering on the instrument panel, clearly stating "Flight into known icing conditions prohibited", to be in plain view of the pilot. This directive applies to models SA227-AC, SA227-AT, and SA227-TT that have not been modified in accordance with specific service bulletins. Compliance with this directive must be achieved forthwith, ensuring that the safety measures are implemented immediately to mitigate the risks associated with flying in icing conditions.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, applies to specific models of Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes, namely the SA227-AC, SA227-AT, and SA227-TT, provided they have not been modified in accordance with SA227 Service Bulletin A61-002 or Service Bulletin 30-001. The legislation mandates the installation of a placard on the instrument panel, with lettering of a minimum size of 1/4 inch, clearly stating "Flight into known icing conditions prohibited". The requirement is that this placard must be installed forthwith. This regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds specified in the directive itself; however, the applicability and enforcement might be further detailed in subordinate instruments or accompanying guidelines issued by the authority.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD/SWSA226/42 Amendment 1) specifically address the prohibition of flight into known icing conditions for certain Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes (Section 1). The directive applies to models SA227-AC, SA227-AT, and SA227-TT that have not been modified in accordance with Service Bulletin A61-002 or Service Bulletin 30-001 (Section 2). The primary requirement is the installation of a placard on the instrument panel, clearly visible to the pilot, with the inscription “Flight into known icing conditions prohibited” in a minimum lettering size of 1/4 inches (Section 3). Compliance with this directive must be achieved forthwith (Section 4). The obligations imposed by this directive are straightforward but critical for ensuring flight safety. Aircraft operators must ensure that the specified models of the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes have the required placard installed on the instrument panel. This placard must be visible to the pilot at all times and must adhere to the specified minimum size to ensure clarity and effectiveness (Section 5). Failure to comply with this requirement could result in operational non-compliance, thereby putting the aircraft and its occupants at risk. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, breaches of the airworthiness directives are subject to various consequences. The regulations outline potential civil penalties for non-compliance, which can include fines and other regulatory actions (Section 6). Although the specific penalties are not detailed in this directive, they are typically governed by broader sections of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations. Additionally, operational violations of these airworthiness directives can lead to serious safety implications, potentially resulting in criminal charges if the breach is deemed to have caused significant harm or danger (Section 7). In summary, the AD/SWSA226/42 Amendment 1 mandates a clear and visible placard for specific SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes to prevent flights into known icing conditions. Failure to comply with this directive can lead to civil and criminal consequences, including fines and potential criminal charges, underscoring the importance of strict adherence to these safety regulations (Section 8).