{"id":"F2006B09427","name":"AD/ELECT/52 - Bruce Industries Fluorescent Lamp Ballast","slug":"ad-elect-52-bruce-industries-fluorescent-lamp-ballast","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53825,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09427-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ELECT/52 - Bruce Industries Fluorescent Lamp Ballast","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/52 Bruce Industries Fluorescent Lamp Ballast 1/89\n\nApplicability: All Bruce Industries Inc. fluorescent lamp ballasts P/No 05241-1. Aircraft which may be fitted with these ballasts include, but are not limited to Boeing 727 aircraft, and aircraft modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) numbers SA 1081 NW SA 1315 NM, SA 1952 NM, SA 4042 WE, and UK Civil Aviation\n\nAuthority Airworthiness Approval Note No 17027 Issue 2.\n\nNote: FAA AD 88-11-08 also refers.\n\nRequirement: Install new fuse in power line in accordance with Bruce Industries Inc. ASB A05241- 33-20-01.\n\nNote: Hitco ASB A9000203-33-20-01 is considered an approved equivalent modification.\n\nCompliance: Prior to 26 February 1989.\n\nBackground: Instances have occurred where the fuse and thermal protector currently provided within the ballast have failed to protect the ballast from failure. This has resulted in the emission of smoke and flames from the ballast.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific known defect in a specific aircraft component. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating a fuse installation to prevent ballast fires."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 200 words)","Only 1 defined term implicitly used (STC — explained in text)","Single, unambiguous compliance requirement","No nested exceptions or conditional logic","Clear applicability section with specific part numbers","Simple deadline structure (single fixed date)","Minimal cross-referencing (only to FAA AD and equivalent service bulletins)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). ADs are legally binding instructions that aircraft owners and operators must follow to fix unsafe conditions in aircraft, engines, or equipment.\n\n**What it does:** This AD orders the installation of a new fuse in the electrical power line for specific fluorescent lamp ballasts (lighting components) made by Bruce Industries Inc., part number 05241-1.\n\n**Who it affects:** \n- **Aircraft operators** with Boeing 727s or other aircraft modified under specific Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs — approvals for aircraft modifications)\n- **Maintenance organisations** servicing these aircraft\n- The affected ballasts are found in various aircraft types, not just Boeing 727s\n\n**Why it matters:** The existing safety features (fuse and thermal protector) inside these ballasts can fail. When they do, the ballast can overheat, producing **smoke and flames** — a serious fire hazard in an aircraft. The new fuse in the power line provides an additional layer of protection to prevent this.\n\n**What must be done:** Install the new fuse following Bruce Industries' service bulletin (ASB A05241-33-20-01) or an approved equivalent from Hitco. This had to be completed before 26 February 1989.\n\n**Key point:** This AD references a US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directive (AD 88-11-08), showing how aviation safety standards are often harmonised across countries."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive's scope—apply to Bruce Industries ballast P/No 05241-1 on specified aircraft and require installation of a new fuse—is stated in the instrument and the background explains the safety reason. The text contains no indication the scope was expanded or narrowed from its stated purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow technical applicability: specific part number P/No 05241-1 and listed aircraft/STCs (Applicability)","Single, prescriptive corrective action (install new fuse) reduces procedural complexity (Requirement)","Firm compliance deadline creates scheduling and operational burden for affected operators (Compliance)","Allowance for approved equivalent modification (Hitco ASB) introduces minor discretion for acceptable compliance (Note)","Cross-references to FAA AD and other approval notes require operators to reconcile multiple documents (Note; FAA AD reference)","Safety-critical context (risk of smoke/flame) prioritises mandatory compliance and inspection tracking (Background)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of aircraft fitted with Bruce Industries fluorescent lamp ballast P/No 05241-1 to install a new power‑line fuse following Bruce Industries ASB A05241-33-20-01 (approved equivalents accepted). (Requirement; Compliance)\n\nThe change is intended to stop ballast failures that have caused smoke and flames. Operators must arrange and fund the installation before 26 February 1989 and may follow the approved equivalent Hitco service bulletin. (Background; Note)"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-elect-52-bruce-industries-fluorescent-lamp-ballast","history":"/api/acts/ad-elect-52-bruce-industries-fluorescent-lamp-ballast/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-elect-52-bruce-industries-fluorescent-lamp-ballast/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-elect-52-bruce-industries-fluorescent-lamp-ballast/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-elect-52-bruce-industries-fluorescent-lamp-ballast/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-elect-52-bruce-industries-fluorescent-lamp-ballast/documents"}}