COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 Series Aeroplanes
AD/SWSA226/45 Battery Power Cable - Inspection/Modification 4/83
Applicability: All model SA226-AT with S/Nos. AT001-AT074. All model SA226-TC with S/Nos.
TC201-TC419.
Documents: 1. Fairchild Aircraft Corporation SB 24-019.
2. Fairchild Aircraft Corporation SB 24-020.
Compliance: Unless modified in accordance with SB 24-020 inspect for clearance in accordance with SB 24-019 within 100 hours time in service after 30 April 1983 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 500 hours time in service.
Background: The main battery cables and bleed air duct have been damaged by chafing.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, form a comprehensive framework governing the regulation and safety of civil aviation. The specific legislative instrument F2006B07185 addresses an identified issue concerning the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the integrity of the battery power cables. This legislative measure was introduced to ensure that the aeroplanes maintain a high standard of airworthiness, thereby enhancing flight safety. The policy objective is to mandate regular inspections and necessary modifications to prevent damage caused by chafing of the battery cables and bleed air duct, which could compromise the operational safety of these aircraft. Compliance with the specified service bulletins is critical to uphold the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates certain safety directives for specific types of aircraft, including the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes, to ensure their continued airworthiness. The regulations apply to all model SA226-AT with serial numbers AT001 to AT074 and all model SA226-TC with serial numbers TC201 to TC419. These regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to maintain safety standards within the Australian aviation industry. The primary directive under discussion is AD/SWSA226/45, which pertains to the inspection and modification of the battery power cable to prevent damage caused by chafing, as documented in Fairchild Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletins 24-019 and 24-020. Aircraft owners or operators must comply with these directives by conducting the specified inspections and modifications, ensuring the aircraft remain airworthy and safe for operation.
These regulations have a national jurisdictional reach, applicable throughout Australia, and are integral to the overarching framework of civil aviation safety managed by CASA. The regulations are clear in their application to the specified models and serial numbers, with specific intervals for inspections and modifications as detailed in the referenced service bulletins. The regulations do not specify exclusions or exemptions for the applicable aircraft, thereby ensuring that all qualifying aircraft adhere to the safety directives. Any modifications or extensions to these directives are subject to further subordinate instruments issued by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, Section 105, detail the schedule of airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models, including the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes. The directive AD/SWSA226/45 pertains to the battery power cable, requiring inspection and modification to address an issue of chafing damage to the main battery cables and bleed air duct (Section 4/83). This directive applies to all model SA226-AT with serial numbers AT001 to AT074, and all model SA226-TC with serial numbers TC201 to TC419. To comply with this directive, operators must follow the instructions set out in Fairchild Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletins (SB) 24-019 and 24-020. Specifically, unless the aircraft is modified in accordance with SB 24-020, it must be inspected for clearance in accordance with SB 24-019 within 100 hours of time in service after 30 April 1983, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service.
Operators of the specified aircraft models are required to ensure that the battery power cables are inspected and, if necessary, modified to prevent further chafing damage. The inspection must be conducted in accordance with SB 24-019, which provides detailed guidance on the inspection process. Additionally, if the aircraft is not modified in accordance with SB 24-020, the inspection must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 500 hours of time in service. These requirements are designed to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and to prevent potential safety hazards.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/SWSA226/45 may result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement actions against operators who do not adhere to these directives. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, CASA can impose penalties, including fines, for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. In severe cases, CASA may also take steps to ground the aircraft until the required modifications and inspections have been completed. These measures are intended to ensure that aircraft remain safe and airworthy, protecting both the operators and the general public from potential harm.