Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, encompass a range of regulations aimed at maintaining the safety and airworthiness of aircraft within Australian airspace. One such regulation is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/SWSA226/51, which pertains to the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes. This directive was enacted to address a safety concern regarding the fuel booster pump wiring harness, which had the potential to cause an electrical short circuit in the area of the fuel hopper tank. The directive was introduced to ensure the safety of these aircraft models by mandating specific corrective actions in accordance with relevant service bulletins issued by Fairchild Aircraft Corporation. The AD was initially effective from 30 June 1986, with Amendment 1 updating the requirement document and becoming effective from 11 July 1991. The policy objective underpinning this legislation is to enhance the safety and reliability of aircraft operations by mitigating potential hazards through the implementation of stringent airworthiness standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, applies to certain Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes. The regulations mandate that specific models of the SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes, identified by their serial numbers, must comply with the action required in accordance with Fairchild Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletins 226-28-011 and 227-28-002. This directive was initially issued on 30 June 1986 and was reissued on 11 July 1991 to update the requirement document, although no additional work is necessary under this amendment. The purpose of these regulations is to prevent potential electrical short circuits in the fuel booster pump wiring in the vicinity of the fuel hopper tank. The regulations have a national jurisdictional reach and apply to all entities operating within Australia, ensuring compliance with civil aviation safety standards. The regulations do not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, implying that all specified aircraft must comply unless otherwise stated in subordinate instruments.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, establish the requirements for the airworthiness of the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes, which are outlined in the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD/SWSA226/51 Amendment 1). This directive pertains to the fuel booster pump wiring harness and is applicable to certain serial numbers of SA226 and SA227 series aircraft, including models SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-AT, SA226-TC, SA227-TT, SA227-AT, and SA227-AC, as detailed in the legislative instrument. The primary requirement of this directive is to adhere to Fairchild Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletins 226-28-011 and 227-28-002, as applicable, to prevent the risk of an electrical short circuit in the fuel booster pump wiring in the vicinity of the fuel hopper tank. This directive originally took effect on 30 June 1986, with the reissue, Amendment 1, becoming effective from 11 July 1991. The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties and entities it governs include ensuring that the specified models of SA226 and SA227 series aircraft are maintained in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Fairchild Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletins. This involves conducting necessary inspections and implementing any required modifications to the fuel booster pump wiring harness to mitigate the risk of electrical short circuits. Owners and operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that these modifications are performed by authorised personnel and that the aircraft are properly maintained to meet the safety standards specified in the AD. Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive could result in serious safety risks, including the potential for in-flight electrical failures that could compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives, non-compliance could potentially lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions could include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, and other regulatory penalties. The severity of these consequences would depend on the specific circumstances of the non-compliance and the potential impact on aviation safety.