{"id":"F2006B09523","name":"AD/EMB-120/6 - Fire Protection Engine Fire Detector Sensor Element","slug":"ad-emb-120-6-fire-protection-engine-fire-detector-sensor-element","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":54114,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09523-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/EMB-120/6 - Fire Protection Engine Fire Detector Sensor Element","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nEmbraer EMB-120 (Brasilia) Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/EMB-120/6 Fire Protection Engine Fire Detector Sensor Element\n\n  \n9/92\n\nApplicability: Model EMB-120 with serial numbers 12004 and 12006 through 120275 inclusive, equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW118A model engines.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with Embraer Service Bulletin 120-26-0019 dated 30 January 1992 and Pratt and Whitney Canada Service Bulletin 21112 dated 13 February 1992.\n\nNote: CTA (Brazil) AD 92-03-01 Amdt 39-695 refers.\n\nCompliance: Prior to 20 November 1992.\n\nBackground: Internal engine oil fires have occurred in the intercompressor case (ICC) of engines of the PW118A family. These fires may exit the ICC at the external air tube which connects the P2.5/P3 switching valve to the rear inlet case. Compliance with this Directive provides a means of early detection of these fires.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The text of the AD sets a clear, limited scope (specific EMB-120 serial numbers with PW118A engines) and prescribes compliance actions via named service bulletins with a fixed deadline. There is no indication in the instrument text that the AD’s scope has been broadened or narrowed from its stated applicability."},"complexity_factors":["Technical nature of required work (engine fire-detection system) requiring qualified maintenance.","Applicability limited to a defined serial-number range and a specific engine model (precision increases administrative complexity). (Applicability)","Compliance depends on two external service bulletins for procedural detail rather than being self-contained. (Requirement)","Firm compliance deadline requiring scheduling and potential aircraft downtime. (Compliance)","Cross-reference to a foreign authority AD (Brazil) that may affect sourcing of technical data or international coordination. (Note)"],"plain_english_summary":"Operators of Embraer EMB‑120 aeroplanes fitted with Pratt & Whitney PW118A engines must perform the maintenance/modifications described in the named Embraer and Pratt & Whitney service bulletins by the AD’s deadline. The directive aims to provide earlier detection of internal intercompressor‑case oil fires; operators bear costs and scheduling impacts to meet the mandatory compliance."},"summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Applies only to Embraer EMB-120 aeroplanes with listed serial numbers and PW118A engines. This is a standalone directive with no broader changes."},"complexity_factors":["limited applicability to specific serial numbers","references to external service bulletins"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an airworthiness directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the Civil Aviation Regulations. It applies to Embraer EMB-120 aeroplanes with serial numbers 12004 and 12006 through 120275 inclusive that are equipped with Pratt and Whitney PW118A engines.\n\nThe directive requires operators to carry out actions specified in Embraer Service Bulletin 120-26-0019 dated 30 January 1992 and Pratt and Whitney Canada Service Bulletin 21112 dated 13 February 1992. These actions concern the engine fire detector sensor element as part of the fire protection system.\n\nThe purpose is to enable early detection of internal engine oil fires that have occurred in the intercompressor case. These fires may exit via the external air tube linking the P2.5/P3 switching valve to the rear inlet case. Compliance provides a means for timely identification of such fires.\n\nAll required work must be completed prior to 20 November 1992. The directive notes a related Brazilian airworthiness directive.\n\nThis is a narrow instrument focused on a specific safety modification for certain older Embraer aircraft. It affects owners, operators and maintenance organisations of the applicable aeroplanes. The practical point is to update the fire detection sensor in the engine by the set deadline to enhance safety against oil fires.\n\nTo determine relevance, check if your aircraft falls within the serial number range and engine type. If it does, the service bulletins outline the precise steps for the sensor element. This directive does not apply to other aeroplane models or engine variants."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, time-bound safety directive with a single specific purpose. It has not expanded beyond its original scope of addressing the PW118A engine fire detection issue."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 200 words)","Only 2 defined applicability criteria (aircraft serial numbers and engine model)","Single compliance action referencing external technical documents","No nested conditions, exceptions, or cross-references to other legislation","Straightforward deadline with no conditional extensions or alternative compliance methods"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).\n\n**What it does:**\nOrders owners and operators of specific Embraer EMB-120 \"Brasilia\" aircraft to carry out a safety modification to the engine fire detection system.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of Embraer EMB-120 aircraft with serial numbers 12004 and 12006 through 120275\n- Only applies to aircraft with Pratt & Whitney PW118A engines\n\n**The problem:**\nInternal engine fires have been occurring in a specific part of these engines (the \"intercompressor case\"). These fires can escape through an external air tube. Without early detection, crews might not know about a fire until it's too late.\n\n**What must be done:**\nOperators must follow two technical service bulletins — one from the aircraft manufacturer (Embraer) and one from the engine manufacturer (Pratt & Whitney) — to upgrade the fire detector sensor element. This provides early warning of these specific fires.\n\n**Deadline:**\nThe work had to be completed before 20 November 1992.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis is a life-safety measure. Undetected engine fires can lead to catastrophic failure, loss of aircraft, and fatalities. The directive closes a gap in the original fire detection system design."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-6-fire-protection-engine-fire-detector-sensor-element","history":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-6-fire-protection-engine-fire-detector-sensor-element/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-6-fire-protection-engine-fire-detector-sensor-element/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-6-fire-protection-engine-fire-detector-sensor-element/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-6-fire-protection-engine-fire-detector-sensor-element/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-emb-120-6-fire-protection-engine-fire-detector-sensor-element/documents"}}