{"id":"F2006B09213","name":"AD/DHC-8/57 - Emergency Lights","slug":"ad-dhc-8-57-emergency-lights","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53057,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09213-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/DHC-8/57 - Emergency Lights","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nBombardier (Boeing Canada/De Havilland) DHC-8 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/DHC-8/57 Emergency Lights 13/98\n\nApplicability: DHC-8 aeroplanes Model 102, 103, 106, 201, 202, 301, 311, 314, and 315, with serial\n\nnumbers 459 through 501, excluding 462, 464, 467, 469, 478, 479, 481, 482, 487,\n\n489, 490, 491, 493, 495, 498, 499 and 500.\n\nRequirement: If not previously accomplished in accordance with Bombardier Inc. de Havilland Service Bulletin (SB) 8-33-40 dated 8 May 1998, install Bombardier Modification 8/3163 (Emergency Lights - Flight Attendant Authority over Pilot Switch) in accordance with SB 8-33-40 Revision A dated 28 July 1998.\n\nNote: Transport Canada AD CF-98-33 refers.\n\nCompliance: Within 12 calendar month from the effective date of this Directive.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 December 1998.\n\nBackground: This Directive allows the emergency lights to be turned on from the cabin flight attendant’s station with the pilot emergency lights switch in the “OFF’ position.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Directive changes the operational control of emergency lighting on the affected DHC‑8 aeroplanes by requiring the installation of Modification 8/3163 so the cabin flight attendant can activate emergency lights while the pilot’s switch is in the OFF position (Requirement; Background). Compliance is mandatory within 12 calendar months from the Directive’s effective date (Compliance)."},"complexity_factors":["Aircraft- and serial-number specific applicability, with multiple exclusions (Applicability).","Mandatory retrofit installation tied to a manufacturer Service Bulletin and a named Modification (Requirement; SB 8-33-40 Rev A; Modification 8/3163).","Fixed compliance window of 12 calendar months from the Directive’s effective date (Compliance).","Operational control change: gives cabin flight attendant authority to energise emergency lights even if pilot switch is OFF (Background).","Reference to an overseas authority (Transport Canada AD CF-98-33), adding cross-jurisdictional compliance context (Note).","Practical burden concentrated on operators of the listed airframes — technical installation work and records update; no ongoing regulatory reporting specified."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires certain Bombardier (DeHavilland) DHC‑8 aeroplanes (specified models and serial numbers) to have Modification 8/3163 fitted per Bombardier Service Bulletin 8‑33‑40 Revision A so a cabin flight attendant can switch on the emergency lights even when the pilot’s emergency‑lights switch is OFF. Affected operators must complete the installation within 12 calendar months from 3 December 1998. The change alters who can control emergency lighting and imposes a one‑time maintenance/installation obligation on those aircraft."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted airworthiness directive addressing a specific safety modification for a limited fleet of aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original technical safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific technical requirement with clear reference to manufacturer service bulletin","Narrow applicability limited to specific aircraft models and serial number ranges","Simple conditional logic: only applies if modification not already completed","No nested definitions or cross-references to other legislation","Straightforward compliance deadline (12 months from effective date)","Total length is approximately 150 words"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a **safety order for specific aircraft**.\n\n**What it does:**\nThis document is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — a mandatory safety instruction issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority. It requires owners or operators of certain Bombardier DHC-8 aircraft (also known as Dash 8 planes) to install a specific modification to their emergency lighting systems.\n\n**The specific change:**\nThe modification allows **flight attendants in the cabin to turn on emergency lights even when the pilot has their emergency lights switch set to \"OFF\"**. Previously, the pilot's switch position may have prevented cabin crew from activating these lights independently.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Aircraft owners/operators** of specific DHC-8 models (102, 103, 106, 201, 202, 301, 311, 314, and 315)\n- **Only specific serial numbers** — roughly serial numbers 459 through 501, with about 17 specific serial numbers excluded from the requirement\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis is a **passenger and crew safety improvement**. In an emergency, cabin crew need immediate control over emergency lighting to guide passengers to exits — they cannot wait for pilots to activate it or be blocked by a pilot's switch position. This ensures flight attendants can illuminate escape paths instantly during evacuations, potentially saving lives.\n\n**Compliance deadline:**\nAircraft operators had 12 months from 3 December 1998 to complete this modification."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-57-emergency-lights","history":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-57-emergency-lights/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-57-emergency-lights/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-57-emergency-lights/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-57-emergency-lights/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-dhc-8-57-emergency-lights/documents"}}