{"id":"F2006B09447","name":"AD/ELECT/72 - Fluorescent Light Ballasts","slug":"ad-elect-72-fluorescent-light-ballasts","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53883,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09447-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ELECT/72 - Fluorescent Light Ballasts","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/72 Fluorescent Light Ballasts 4/99\n\nApplicability: Day-Ray Products, Inc cabin sidewall fluorescent light ballasts having the following part numbers:\n\n| 69-10   | 69-69   | 70-94-1 |\n| ------- | ------- | ------- |\n| 69-10-1 | 69-69-1 | 83-12   |\n| 69-68   | 70-94   | 83-12-1 |\n| 69-68-1 |         |         |\n\nNote: These fluorescent light ballasts are known to be fitted to, but not limited to, the following aircraft:\n\nMcDonnell Douglas Model DC-8, DC-9, DC-10, C-9 (military) and KC-10 (military) series aeroplanes; and Boeing Model 707, 727 and 737 series aeroplanes.\n\nRequirement: 1 Perform a one time visual inspection to determine the type of fluorescent light ballasts installed in the upper and lower cabin sidewall.\n\n    2. If any ballast is found, during the Requirement 1 inspection, to have a part number listed in the Applicability Statement of this Directive, remove the light ballast and replace it with a light ballast manufactured by Bruce Industries in accordance with the applicable service bulletin listed below:\n\nService Bulletin Number and Date Affected Aeroplanes\n\nMcDonnell Douglas\n\nService Bulletin DC9-33-103 30 May 1996\n\n  \nModel DC-9-30, \\-40 and \\-50 series aeroplanes listed in the effectivity statement of the service bulletin.\n\nNote: Replacement of light ballasts on DC-9-30, 40 and -50 series aeroplanes, in accordance with SB DC9-33-103 is considered acceptable compliance provided that no protective covers are installed on the light ballasts.\n\nMcDonnell Douglas\n\nService Bulletin DC9-33-111 6 May 1997\n\nMcDonnell Douglas\n\nService Bulletin DC10-33-073 18 June 1996\n\nHeath Tecna\n\nAlert Service Bulletin Mark I-33-A2 Revision 1\n\n24 July 1996\n\n  \nModel DC-9-30, \\-40 and \\-50 series aeroplanes listed in the effectivity statement of the service bulletin.\n\nModel DC-10, \\-10, \\-15, \\-30 and \\-40\n\nseries aeroplanes listed in the effectivity statement of the service bulletin.\n\nMcDonnell Douglas Model DC-8 series aeroplanes retrofitted with Heath Tecna Mark I interior\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 107 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\nHeath Tecna\n\nAlert Service Bulletin Mark I-33-A3 Revision 1\n\n24 July 1996\n\nHeath Tecna\n\nAlert Service Bulletin Mark I-33-A4 Revision 1\n\n24 July 1996\n\nHeath Tecna\n\nAlert Service Bulletin Mark I-33-A5 Revision 1\n\n24 July 1996\n\nHeath Tecna\n\nAlert Service Bulletin Spmk-33-A1 Revision 1\n\n24 July 1996\n\nHeath Tecna\n\nAlert Service Bulletin Spmk-33-A2 Revision 1\n\n24 July 1996\n\n  \nBoeing Model 707 series aeroplanes retrofitted with Heath Tecna Mark I interior\n\nBoeing Model 727 series aeroplanes retrofitted with Heath Tecna Mark I interior\n\nBoeing Model 737 series aeroplanes retrofitted with Heath Tecna Mark I interior\n\nBoeing Model 727 series aeroplanes retrofitted with Heath Tecna Spacemaker II or Spacemaker IIa interior\n\nBoeing Model 737 series aeroplanes retrofitted with Heath Tecna Spacemaker II or Spacemaker IIa interior\n\n    3. No Day-Ray fluorescent light ballast having a part number listed in the Applicability Statement of this Directive may be installed in the upper or lower cabin sidewall of any aeroplane.\n\nNote: FAA AD 99-04-10 Amdt 39-11034 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Prior to 1 April 2000.\n\n    2. Prior to further flight after the Requirement 1 inspection.\n\n    3. As of the effective date of this Directive.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 22 April 1999.\n\nBackground: The Federal Aviation Administration has received reports of smoke, fumes and/or electrical fire emitting from passenger compartment baggage bins. Investigation revealed that the incidents were due to the failure of the fluorescent light ballasts.\n\nThis Directive is intended to prevent fire in the passenger compartment resulting from failure of the fluorescent light ballasts in the cabin sidewalls.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Directive’s scope aligns with its stated intent: to prevent cabin fires from failing fluorescent light ballasts. It targets identified Day‑Ray part numbers fitted to specific aircraft and requires inspection, removal and replacement, plus a ban on re‑installation. It does not broaden coverage beyond the listed parts and affected aeroplanes; requirements remain limited to identification, removal/replacement, and a prohibition on installing the listed parts."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability by specific Day‑Ray part numbers (multiple similar part variants) increases administrative identification burden.","Multiple affected aircraft types and retrofit interiors (DC‑8, DC‑9, DC‑10, C‑9, KC‑10, 707, 727, 737) require operator fleet checks.","Replacement mandated to a specific manufacturer (Bruce Industries) and tied to several distinct service bulletins from different OEMs/suppliers (McDonnell Douglas, Heath Tecna) adds logistical coordination.","Staggered compliance deadlines: one‑time inspection due before 1 April 2000; removal/replacement required prior to further flight if affected parts found; prohibition effective immediately on the Directive’s date.","A narrow acceptability caveat (DC‑9 compliance accepted only if no protective covers are installed) introduces conditional compliance judgement.","Prohibition on future installation shifts procurement and maintenance choices for operators (who pays: aircraft operators/owners and their maintenance providers).","Reference to FAA AD creates an external conformity check for implementers and potential paperwork cross‑checking."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators to inspect cabin sidewall fluorescent light ballasts on the specified McDonnell Douglas and Boeing aeroplanes, remove any Day‑Ray ballast part numbers listed, and replace them with Bruce Industries units per the referenced service bulletins. It also prohibits installing the listed Day‑Ray ballasts. The rule targets aircraft operators and maintenance organisations and is intended to prevent passenger‑compartment fires caused by ballast failures, with inspection and replacement deadlines set in the Directive."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive maintains its original narrow scope: addressing a specific safety defect in specific aircraft components. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of preventing fire hazards from Day-Ray fluorescent light ballasts."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to manufacturer service bulletins (7 different bulletins across McDonnell Douglas and Heath Tecna)","Specific applicability limited to 9 discrete part numbers","Conditional compliance structure: inspection triggers replacement requirement","Nested applicability: affects multiple aircraft models, some only when retrofitted with specific interior configurations","Incorporation by reference to US FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD 99-04-10)","Three separate compliance deadlines depending on which requirement applies"],"plain_english_summary":"Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority requires operators of older Boeing and McDonnell Douglas passenger aircraft to inspect for and replace specific Day‑Ray fluorescent cabin sidewall ballasts with Bruce Industries units, and bars future installation of those Day‑Ray parts. Targeted at maintenance crews and affected aircraft types, the one‑time action responds to reports of smoke, fumes and electrical fires and aims to prevent in‑flight cabin fires; replacements were mandated by 1 April 2000."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-elect-72-fluorescent-light-ballasts","history":"/api/acts/ad-elect-72-fluorescent-light-ballasts/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-elect-72-fluorescent-light-ballasts/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-elect-72-fluorescent-light-ballasts/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-elect-72-fluorescent-light-ballasts/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-elect-72-fluorescent-light-ballasts/documents"}}