{"id":"F2006B09519","name":"AD/EMB-120/34 - Fuelling Control Panel Access Door","slug":"ad-emb-120-34-fuelling-control-panel-access-door","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":54103,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09519-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.\n\nEmbraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/EMB-120/34 Fuelling Control Panel Acc","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/EMB-120/34 Fuelling Control Panel Access Door 4/2003","content":"# AD/EMB-120/34 Fuelling Control Panel Access Door 4/2003\n\nApplicability: Model EMB-120 aircraft, serial numbers 120003, 120004 and 120006 through 120358.\n\nRequirement: Accomplish the following in accordance with Embraer Service Bulletin No. 120-57- 0038:\n\n    For aircraft that do not have the ramp on the fuelling control panel access door, install the ramp and make the corresponding modifications to the fuelling control panel access door; and,\n\n    2. For aircraft that do have the ramp on the fuelling control panel access door, perform a visual inspection of the fuelling control panel access door ramp for dents, cracks, scratches, and corrosion:\n\n    If the ramp is in good condition, carry out the modifications to the door;\n\n    b. If the ramp is damaged, replace the ramp with a serviceable ramp and carry out the modifications to the door.\n\nNote: CTA AD 2002-12-02 Amdt 39-971 refers.\n\nCompliance: Within 1,200 flight hours or 8 calendar months after 17 April 2003, whichever occurs first.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 17 April 2003.\n\n![Signature of David Villiers, Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.](image.002.jpeg)Background: Instances of fuel transfer between tanks have occurred during flight. Investigation revealed defuel valves in the open position, and damaged fuel control panel access door ramps. The ramp on the fuel control panel access door is designed to activate the defuel valve control switch to the closed position when the access door is closed.\n\nDavid Alan Villiers\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 28 February 2003\n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 March 2003.","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive stays within the original safety-focused purpose: to prevent unintended fuel transfer by ensuring the fuelling control panel access-door ramp operates the defuel-valve control switch. It applies to a defined subset of EMB-120 serial numbers and prescribes remedial action per an Embraer service bulletin. It does not broaden regulatory scope beyond a targeted airworthiness correction, introduce new ongoing regulatory regimes, or expand coverage beyond the aircraft identified in the Applicability section."},"complexity_factors":["Short instrument (single AD with four labelled sections: Applicability, Requirement, Compliance, Background)","Small, specific applicability set (explicit serial numbers rather than broad fleet-wide rules)","One external technical reference (Embraer Service Bulletin No. 120-57-0038) — work is defined by that document rather than complex in-AD procedures","Simple conditional logic: two branches (ramp absent -> install; ramp present -> inspect -> either accept or replace then modify)","Single compliance deadline with two alternative measures (flight hours or calendar months)","Minor cross-reference to another AD (CTA AD 2002-12-02 Amdt 39-971) but no layered exceptions"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this directive does (mechanics)\n\n- Applies to Embraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) aircraft with serial numbers 120003, 120004 and 120006–120358 (see \"Applicability\").\n- Requires operators to follow Embraer Service Bulletin No. 120-57-0038 to ensure the fuelling control panel access door ramp works as intended (see \"Requirement\").\n  - If the aircraft does not have the ramp fitted, the ramp must be installed and the related modifications made to the fuelling control panel access door.\n  - If the aircraft already has the ramp, carry out a visual inspection for dents, cracks, scratches and corrosion:\n    - If the ramp is in good condition, proceed with the specified door modifications.\n    - If the ramp is damaged, replace it with a serviceable ramp and then carry out the door modifications.\n- Sets the deadline: complete the work within 1,200 flight hours or 8 calendar months after 17 April 2003, whichever comes first (see \"Compliance\").\n\n**Who this affects\n\n- Aircraft owners and operators of the listed EMB-120 serial numbers.\n- Maintenance organisations and engineers who will perform the inspection, replacement and modification work (they must follow the referenced Embraer Service Bulletin).\n- Regulators (Civil Aviation Safety Authority delegate) who issued and enforces the directive.\n\n**Why it matters (stated purpose and practical effect)\n\n- The directive responds to in-flight fuel transfer events traced to defuel valves left open and to damaged access-door ramps that failed to operate the defuel valve control switch when the door was closed (see \"Background\").\n- Mechanically, the ramp on the fuelling control panel access door is intended to activate the defuel-valve control switch so the valve is closed whenever the access door is shut. The AD forces operators to install or repair that ramp and to make specified door modifications.\n\n**Costs, incentives and trade-offs (implementation risks and who pays)\n\n- Direct costs fall on aircraft owners/operators: labour to inspect/modify, parts (replacement ramp), potential aircraft downtime. These are concentrated costs to affected operators.\n- Implementation depends on availability of serviceable ramps and maintenance capacity; delays in parts or shop availability create operational disruption (opportunity cost in lost flying hours or re-scheduling).\n- The requirement standardises what work must be done (via Embraer Service Bulletin). Independent maintenance providers can perform the work provided they follow the bulletin; the AD reduces contractual freedom only to the extent that operators must use the specified technical instructions.\n- Compliance risk: failure to comply within the mandated timeframe risks regulatory action and continued exposure to the unsafe condition (fuel transfer). The AD itself sets no penalty scheme beyond the usual aviation regulatory enforcement framework.\n\n**Effects on markets, competition and behaviour\n\n- The directive imposes a short-term compliance cost on a specific set of operators; it does not create ongoing regulatory fees or change ownership rules.\n- Because the action is a one-off installation/inspection/modification, it has limited long-term effects on competition or prices beyond near-term maintenance demand.\n- The AD may increase short-term demand for the specified ramp part and for maintenance shop time, which could raise maintenance costs temporarily.\n\n**Sources and limits of authority\n\n- The directive is issued by a CASA delegate under the stated airworthiness regulation and requires compliance per the AD and referenced Embraer Service Bulletin. It does not itself create criminal penalties; enforcement follows the aviation safety regulatory regime.\n\n**Net practical summary\n\nOwners/operators of the listed EMB-120 serial-numbered aircraft must, within the stated timeframe, either install the fuelling-control-panel access-door ramp (if missing) or inspect and, if necessary, replace it, and then perform the door modifications described in Embraer Service Bulletin No. 120-57-0038. The change aims to ensure the door ramp reliably closes the defuel-valve control switch and so prevent unintended fuel transfer during flight (Background).**"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard, targeted airworthiness directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in a specific aircraft type. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific aircraft model and narrow serial number range","Only two conditional paths (has ramp / doesn't have ramp)","Simple binary inspection outcome (damaged / not damaged)","Single compliance method referenced (Embraer Service Bulletin No. 120-57-0038)","Straightforward deadline calculation (flight hours OR calendar months, whichever first)","No nested definitions, no cross-references to other legislation beyond a single note about a related foreign directive"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive for Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia aircraft (S/N 120003, 120004, 120006–120358) addresses a dangerous in-flight fuel transfer caused by a valve not closing when a small fuel‑panel “ramp” is missing or damaged. Affected owners/operators must install or inspect/replace the ramp as needed and modify the door to ensure the switch is actuated, within 1,200 flight hours or eight months of 17 April 2003. It prevents fuel imbalance, starvation, or fire."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-34-fuelling-control-panel-access-door","history":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-34-fuelling-control-panel-access-door/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-34-fuelling-control-panel-access-door/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-34-fuelling-control-panel-access-door/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-34-fuelling-control-panel-access-door/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-34-fuelling-control-panel-access-door/documents"}}