{"id":"F2006B09426","name":"AD/ELECT/51 Amdt 1 - SAFT 40AH Type 40976 Batteries","slug":"ad-elect-51-amdt-1-saft-40ah-type-40976-batteries","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53820,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09426-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ELECT/51 Amdt 1 - SAFT 40AH Type 40976 Batteries","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nElectrical Equipment\n\nAD/ELECT/51\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \nSAFT 40AH Type 40976 Batteries 10/88\n\nApplicability: All SAFT 40 AH Type 40976 batteries P/No 18585 fitted to aircraft or held as spares.\n\nNote: Aircraft types which may be fitted with this battery include but are not limited to Cessna 650.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with SAFT SB 0005. FAA Telex AD T85-03-51 also refers. Compliance: 1. For batteries installed in aircraft, before further flight after 20 October 1988.\n\n2. For uninstalled batteries, before installation in an aircraft.\n\nBackground: Inspection of SAFT 40 AH Type 40976 batteries has revealed that the battery cell terminals can penetrate the rubber insulation under the lid and short circuit to ground thus potentially resulting in fire and/or loss of battery power. Amendment 1 to this Directive is issued to clarify the Compliance date.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a targeted safety directive addressing a specific defective battery model. The amendment merely clarifies compliance timing; it does not expand the scope beyond the original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 300 words)","Only one defined term implicitly referenced (the battery part number)","No cross-references to other legislation sections","Simple conditional structure: two categories (installed vs uninstalled) with clear deadlines","Single technical reference to manufacturer's service bulletin (SAFT SB 0005) and FAA telex","No nested exceptions or complex legal machinery"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a **safety order** (called an \"Airworthiness Directive\") issued by Australia's aviation safety regulator (CASA). It applies to a specific type of aircraft battery made by SAFT (40 amp-hour, model 40976, part number 18585).\n\n**What the problem is:**\nInspections found that the battery's cell terminals can poke through the rubber insulation under the lid, causing a short circuit. This could start a fire or cause the battery to fail completely.\n\n**What must be done:**\n- **For batteries already in aircraft:** Fix them before the plane flies again after 20 October 1988\n- **For spare batteries:** Fix them before they go into any aircraft\n\n**Who must follow this:**\nAnyone operating or maintaining aircraft with these batteries installed, or holding them as spare parts. This includes owners of aircraft like the Cessna 650 (though other aircraft types may also use this battery).\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis is a mandatory safety fix. If ignored, the battery could catch fire or fail mid-flight, endangering the aircraft and everyone on board.\n\n**Note on the version:**\nThis is \"Amendment 1\" — it doesn't change the safety requirement, just makes the deadline clearer."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Amendment 1 clarifies the Compliance date wording but does not expand or narrow the set of affected batteries or the technical action required. Applicability remains 'All SAFT 40 AH Type 40976 batteries P/No 18585 fitted to aircraft or held as spares' and the Requirement remains to carry out SAFT SB 0005 before further flight (installed) or before installation (uninstalled). (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance; Background)"},"complexity_factors":["Narrow technical scope limited to a single battery part number (reduces complexity).","Mandatory cross‑reference to an external document (SAFT SB 0005) for technical action increases operational complexity (must obtain and follow SB).","Immediate compliance deadlines for installed batteries create logistical and scheduling pressure for operators and maintenance providers.","Legal text is concise and prescriptive with few discretionary elements, lowering interpretive complexity.","Reference to another regulator document (FAA Telex AD T85-03-51) adds a secondary source to consult for implementation details."],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires inspection and any corrective action specified in SAFT Service Bulletin SB 0005 for SAFT 40 AH Type 40976 batteries P/No 18585, with installed units to be addressed before the next flight after 20 October 1988 and spares before installation. It affects aircraft operators, spare‑holders and maintenance providers.\n\nThe directive responds to a hazard where cell terminals can penetrate lid insulation and short to ground, risking fire or loss of battery power; costs and downtime fall to operators. Amendment 1 only clarifies the compliance date wording."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-elect-51-amdt-1-saft-40ah-type-40976-batteries","history":"/api/acts/ad-elect-51-amdt-1-saft-40ah-type-40976-batteries/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-elect-51-amdt-1-saft-40ah-type-40976-batteries/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-elect-51-amdt-1-saft-40ah-type-40976-batteries/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-elect-51-amdt-1-saft-40ah-type-40976-batteries/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-elect-51-amdt-1-saft-40ah-type-40976-batteries/documents"}}