{"id":"F2006B09446","name":"AD/ELECT/71 - SAFT America Inc. Nickel Cadmium Batteries","slug":"ad-elect-71-saft-america-inc-nickel-cadmium-batteries","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53879,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09446-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ELECT/71 - SAFT America Inc. Nickel Cadmium 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/71 SAFT America Inc. Nickel Cadmium Batteries 13/98\n\nApplicability: SAFT America Inc. Nickel Cadmium batteries with the following part numbers, manufactured prior to December 1997:\n\nSAFT America Part Number McDonnell Douglas Part Number\n\n021929-000 43BO34LB02\n\n021904-000 43BO34LB03\n\nNote: These batteries are known to be fitted to, but not limited to, McDonnell Douglas DC-9 and MD-80 series aeroplanes.\n\nRequirement: Replace all battery terminal screws, verify that the battery contains design specification cells and if the battery contains non-design specification cells, replace those cells. Accomplish these actions in accordance with the instructions section of SAFT Aviation Batteries Service Bulletin Document No A00027, Rev G, dated 14 July 1998.\n\nNote 1: A plastic label indicating compliance with this Directive may be obtained from SAFT America Inc. At the following address:\n\nSAFT America Inc.\n\n711 Industrial Boulevard\n\nVALDOSTA, GA 31601\n\nNote 2: This label shall not cover the original part number of the battery.\n\nNote 3: SAFT Aviation Batteries Service Bulletin Document No A00027, Rev G, dated 14 July 1998, provides the option of purchasing this label from SAFT or manufacturing your own label.\n\nNote 4: This label must be installed on the battery as depicted in Figures 3 and 4 on page 8 of SAFT Aviation Batteries Service Bulletin Document No A00027, Rev G, dated 14 July 1998.\n\nNote 5: If the actions required by this Directive have been previously accomplished in accordance with SAFT Aviation Batteries Service Bulletin Document No. A00027, Rev F, dated 15 January 1998, then the only action required by this Directive would be to install a compliance label on the battery as specified in SAFT Aviation Batteries Service Bulletin Document No. A00027, Rev G, dated 14 July 1998.\n\nNote 6: FAA AD 98-20-17 Amdt 39-10784 refers.\n\nCompliance: At the next scheduled battery maintenance that occurs three calendar months after the effective date of this Directive or within the next 15 calendar months after the effective date of this Directive, whichever occurs first.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 December 1998.\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\nBackground: Actions required by this Directive are intended to prevent the battery from shorting out or exploding if the heads of fasteners become sheared off. Loss of battery power could result in loss of emergency power to electrical flight systems and other emergency power systems that would be required in the event of the loss of the aircraft primary power source.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Directive remains narrowly focused on a specific safety risk associated with two SAFT Ni–Cd battery part numbers (manufactured before Dec 1997). It requires defined maintenance actions and labelling and uses a manufacturer service bulletin as the compliance method. It has not expanded beyond that technical safety remit; the actions are consistent with the stated original intent to mitigate battery short/explosion risk and loss of emergency power."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single‑issue AD (few pages)","Two specific part numbers and a manufacture‑date cutoff (manufactured prior to December 1997)","Mandatory reference to an external document (SAFT Service Bulletin A00027 Rev G) as the method of compliance","Conditional compliance timing (next scheduled maintenance that occurs at 3 months after effective date or within 15 months, whichever is first)","Notes that create limited options/exceptions (e.g. prior compliance under Rev F means only label required)","Several operational notes about label procurement and placement (Notes 1–5)","Cross‑reference to FAA AD (external regulatory linkage)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- It orders operators to inspect and, if needed, repair or modify certain SAFT Nickel Cadmium (Ni–Cd) aircraft batteries. (Requirement)\n- Specifically, for SAFT America part numbers 021929-000 and 021904-000 manufactured before December 1997, the directive requires:\n  - replacement of all battery terminal screws;\n  - verification that the battery contains cells that meet the design specification; and\n  - replacement of any cells that do not meet the design specification.\n- Those actions must be carried out exactly as described in SAFT Aviation Batteries Service Bulletin Document No A00027, Rev G (14 July 1998). (Requirement)\n- After completing the work, a compliance label must be fitted to the battery in the location shown in the Service Bulletin. The label may be purchased from SAFT or manufactured by the operator, but it must not obscure the original part number. (Notes 1–4)\n- If the same actions were already done under SAFT Service Bulletin A00027, Rev F (15 January 1998), the only additional requirement under this Directive is to install the Rev G compliance label. (Note 5)\n- The AD references a related FAA airworthiness directive (FAA AD 98-20-17). (Note 6)\n- Timing: the required actions must be done at the next scheduled battery maintenance that occurs three calendar months after the Directive’s effective date, or no later than 15 calendar months after the effective date — whichever comes first. (Compliance)\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- Aircraft operators, maintenance organisations and maintenance personnel who own, install, service or maintain the specified SAFT Ni–Cd batteries. The batteries are known to be fitted to McDonnell Douglas DC‑9 and MD‑80 series aeroplanes, among others, but the AD applies to the batteries by part number and manufacture date regardless of aircraft type. (Applicability)\n- SAFT America (the battery manufacturer) is implicated because its service bulletin is the mandatory method of compliance and it is the source of the compliance label option. (Requirement; Notes 1–4)\n\n**Why it matters (stated purpose and practical consequence)**\n\n- The Directive’s stated safety purpose is to prevent battery shorting or explosion if fastener heads shear off, which could cause loss of emergency electrical power. Loss of emergency power may affect electrical flight and other emergency systems that rely on battery backup. (Background)\n\n**Practical effects, costs and incentives**\n\n- Who pays: aircraft operators (or their maintenance providers) bear the direct costs — labour for replacement/inspection, replacement screws and any non‑conforming cells, and any downtime while work is done. (Requirement; Compliance)\n- Provider incentives and revenue: SAFT provides the service bulletin and offers compliance labels for purchase. Operators may choose to buy the label from SAFT or manufacture their own; the Service Bulletin also prescribes how to perform the work, which channels maintenance towards SAFT guidance. (Notes 1–4; Requirement)\n- Behaviour change required: maintenance programmes must incorporate the specified inspection and corrective measures at the prescribed next maintenance interval; records of compliance and correct label placement must be maintained. (Requirement; Notes)\n- Substitution effects: operators may elect to replace individual cells, buy replacement batteries, or contract independent MROs (maintenance, repair, overhaul organisations) to perform the work — choices that differ in price, lead time and operational disruption. (Requirement)\n\n**Trade‑offs, implementation risks and compliance burden**\n\n- Compliance burden: the AD fixes the method of compliance to a specific manufacturer service bulletin, so operators must obtain and follow that document. There is some administrative burden to ensure labels are fitted in the prescribed place and not covering original part numbers. (Requirement; Notes 1–5)\n- Operational cost vs safety benefit: the intervention imposes immediate maintenance cost and potential aircraft downtime in return for a reduced risk of battery-related failure modes. The Directive does not quantify risk or cost; operators must balance these when scheduling the work. (Background; Compliance)\n- Enforcement and verification: CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) would expect records showing the work was completed in accordance with the Service Bulletin and the AD; the AD itself provides the clear compliance requirement but relies on operator maintenance records for verification. (Requirement; Compliance)\n\n**Effect on competition and market choices**\n\n- The Service Bulletin as the mandated compliance method centralises the technical instructions with SAFT, which may channel demand for parts, labels or technical interpretation toward the manufacturer or authorised service providers; however, the AD explicitly allows operators to manufacture their own label if they prefer. (Requirement; Notes 1–4)\n- Independent MROs remain able to perform the required work so long as they follow the Service Bulletin and record compliance; the AD does not prohibit third‑party completion. (Requirement)\n\n**Where this comes from and how it ties to other regulators**\n\n- The AD cross‑references a related FAA airworthiness directive (FAA AD 98‑20‑17), indicating parallel regulatory action in the United States. (Note 6)\n\n**Source claims vs consequences**\n\n- The AD claims the actions will prevent battery shorting or explosion from sheared fasteners and thereby protect emergency electrical power (Background). The concrete mechanisms the AD uses to achieve that are: replacing terminal screws, verifying cell design conformity, replacing non‑conforming cells, and marking batteries after compliance so future maintainers can identify them. These measures create direct compliance costs (parts, labour, downtime) and channel technical compliance to the SAFT Service Bulletin. Whether the safety benefit justifies the costs depends on the underlying failure probability and consequence severity (not quantified in the AD). (Background; Requirement)\n\n"},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive maintains its original narrow scope: addressing a specific manufacturing defect in SAFT nickel-cadmium batteries. The document remains focused on the single safety issue of terminal screw failure and does not expand beyond the original technical remedy."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific technical requirement with clear mechanical actions (replace screws, verify cells, install label)","Five detailed notes providing alternative compliance paths and label specifications, creating conditional logic","Cross-reference to US FAA directive (AD 98-20-17) for additional context","Incorporation by reference to external technical document (SAFT Service Bulletin A00027 Rev G) which contains the actual procedural instructions","Defined applicability limited to specific part numbers and manufacturing date cutoff (prior to December 1997)","Dual-track compliance deadline (next scheduled maintenance OR 15 months, whichever comes first)"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive orders operators of aircraft fitted with certain SAFT America nickel‑cadmium batteries (notably DC‑9/MD‑80 fleets) to correct a defect where battery terminal screw heads can shear, risking short, explosion, and loss of emergency electrical power.  \n\nOperators must replace terminal screws, verify and replace incorrect cells, and install a compliance label per SAFT Service Bulletin A00027 Rev G at next scheduled battery maintenance or within 15 months of 3 Dec 1998."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-elect-71-saft-america-inc-nickel-cadmium-batteries","history":"/api/acts/ad-elect-71-saft-america-inc-nickel-cadmium-batteries/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-elect-71-saft-america-inc-nickel-cadmium-batteries/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-elect-71-saft-america-inc-nickel-cadmium-batteries/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-elect-71-saft-america-inc-nickel-cadmium-batteries/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-elect-71-saft-america-inc-nickel-cadmium-batteries/documents"}}