AD/SWSA226/94 Amdt 1 - Boost Pump Wiring

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) on 4 April 2004, specifically targeting the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 Series Aeroplanes. This AD, referenced as AD/SWSA226/94 Amendment 1, was enacted to address the potential for electrical arcing and fires in the fuel tanks caused by chafing or damage to the boost pump wiring. The directive revokes the previous AD AD/SWSA226/94 and mandates that the left and right-hand main/auxiliary fuel boost pump wiring be protected according to the specified Fairchild Aircraft Service Letters. The compliance deadline requires this action to be taken at the next removal of the fuel boost pump, but no later than six months or 1,200 hours of time in service, whichever occurs first, following the directive's effective date. This AD is issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 by a CASA delegate, aiming to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft models.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive AD/SWSA226/94 Amdt 1 pertains to a specific category of aircraft, namely the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 series aeroplanes, covering all serial numbers of the models SA 226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227- AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), SA227-PC, and SA227-TT. The directive applies to any person or entity that owns, operates, or maintains these aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia. The requirement is that the left and right hand main/auxiliary fuel boost pump wiring must be protected in accordance with specific Fairchild Aircraft Service Letters, if not already done. The compliance timeframe mandates that the protection measures must be implemented at the next removal of the fuel boost pump, but no later than six months or 1200 hours of time in service, whichever occurs first, following the effective date of the directive. The directive is issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with the authority granted under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. The directive is effective as of 15 April 2004, and it revokes the previous AD AD/SWSA226/94, correcting a reference to AD/SWSA 226/88.

Key Provisions

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) (F2006B07237) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) pertains specifically to the Fairchild (Swearingen) SA226 and SA227 Series Aeroplanes. The directive, detailed in Section 4, revokes the previous AD (AD/SWSA226/94) and outlines new requirements for the protection of the boost pump wiring on these aircraft models to prevent potential electrical arcing and fire hazards. The applicable aircraft models, as stated in Section 2, include SA 226-AT, SA226-T, SA226-T(B), SA226-TC, SA227-AC (C-26A), SA227-AT, SA227-BC (C-26A), SA227-CC, SA227-DC (C-26B), SA227-PC, and SA227-TT of all serial numbers. The directive became effective on 15 April 2004, as detailed in Section 3. The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and straightforward. Aircraft owners and operators must ensure that the left and right hand main/auxiliary fuel boost pump wiring is protected in accordance with the specified Fairchild Aircraft Service Letters (226-SL-023, 227-SL-039, and CC7-SL-031, all dated 6 September 2000, and their respective revisions dated 25 September 2000) if such protection has not already been implemented. This protection must be carried out during the next removal of the fuel boost pump but no later than six months or 1200 hours of time in service from the effective date of this Directive, whichever comes first. These requirements are designed to mitigate the risk of chafing or damage to the wiring, which could lead to serious safety issues such as electrical arcing or fire in the fuel tank. Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD may result in significant legal and safety consequences. While the AD itself does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties, non-compliance with CASR 1998 can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The consequences of such non-compliance can include substantial fines, legal penalties, and potential grounding of the aircraft, which could impact operations and safety. Ensuring adherence to the AD is therefore crucial for all stakeholders to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft and avoid any legal repercussions.