{"id":"F2006B06968","name":"AD/SF340/4 Amdt 1 - Powerplant Flameouts","slug":"ad-sf340-4-amdt-1-powerplant-flameouts","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":114878,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06968-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/SF340/4 Amdt 1 - Powerplant Flameouts","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)  \nSAAB SF340 Series Aeroplanes\n\nAD/SF340/4\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \n\nPowerplant Flameouts 1/86 TX\n\nApplicability: All SAAB Fairchild SF 340A aircraft.\n\nRequirement: The requirements of the initial issue of this Directive are cancelled. Flight is permitted subject to the following conditions:\n\n    A continuous Ignition System shall be installed and used as defined by SAAB- Fairchild Service Bulletin SF340-74-002 Revision 1.\n\n    2. The Flight Manual Temporary Revision referenced in the Service Bulletin is to be incorporated. This revision is to be approved and issued by the appropriate Office of the Department.\n\n    3. The inspection instructions defined in the Service Bulletin are to be accomplished.\n\nNote: Swedish Airworthiness Directive SAD 1-014 refers.\n\nEffective: Forthwith.\n\nBackground: Further technical assessment of the engine flame out problem and the availability of a continuous ignition system has enabled a relaxation of previous requirements for the Australian summer conditions.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment stays tightly focused on its original purpose: addressing engine flameout risks in SAAB SF340A aircraft. It simply updates the technical solution (from stricter restrictions to a continuous ignition system fix) without expanding to other aircraft types, other systems, or broader operational matters."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 300 words)","Only 3 operative requirements, clearly numbered","Minimal defined terms (only 'Applicability' and 'Requirement' as standard headings)","Single cross-reference to Swedish directive SAD 1-014 and one service bulletin","No nested exceptions or conditional logic — straightforward replacement of old rules with new conditions","Plain language background explanation included"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive** — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's aviation regulator (CASA) that requires specific fixes or inspections on aircraft.\n\n**What it does:**\nThis directive updates previous rules about **engine flameouts** (when an aircraft engine unexpectedly stops producing power) on **SAAB Fairchild SF 340A aircraft** — a type of regional turboprop plane.\n\n**The key changes:**\n- **Cancels** the stricter requirements from the original 1986 directive\n- **Replaces them with three conditions** that must be met before flying:\n  1. Install and use a **continuous ignition system** (keeps the engine spark plugs firing constantly to prevent flameouts) — following SAAB's official service bulletin\n  2. Update the **Flight Manual** with a temporary revision approved by the government\n  3. Complete **inspections** as specified in that same service bulletin\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of all SAAB SF 340A aircraft in Australia\n- Maintenance engineers working on these planes\n\n**Why it matters:**\nEngine flameouts are dangerous, especially during critical flight phases like takeoff or landing. This directive reflects improved technology (the continuous ignition system) that allows safer flying in Australian summer conditions without the previous heavy restrictions. It balances safety with operational practicality.\n\n**Note:** It references a Swedish airworthiness directive, showing how aviation safety standards are often harmonised internationally."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The amendment replaces the initial, more restrictive requirements with conditional permission to fly provided specific retrofits, manual updates and inspections are completed (Requirements 1–3). In practical terms the directive was relaxed following technical reassessment: it shifts from a prior prohibition or stricter limitation to a compliance‑based allowance, thereby widening operational scope subject to defined costs and administrative approvals."},"complexity_factors":["Technical retrofit requirement — installation and use of a continuous ignition system per SAAB‑Fairchild Service Bulletin SF340‑74‑002 Rev 1 (Requirement 1): requires parts, certified maintenance work and possible downtime.","Regulatory approval step — incorporation and issuance of the Flight Manual Temporary Revision must be approved by the appropriate Department office (Requirement 2): creates an administrative checkpoint and potential delay.","Mandatory inspections — completion of inspection instructions defined in the Service Bulletin (Requirement 3): recurring compliance and recordkeeping burden for operators.","Fleet‑wide applicability — applies to all SF340A aircraft (Applicability): concentrates costs on all operators of that type.","Cross‑reference to foreign AD — note refers to Swedish AD SAD 1‑014 (Note): introduces reliance on external technical material and potential alignment issues.","Replacement of prior measure — cancels initial directive and substitutes conditional permission (Opening lines, Background): changes the legal baseline operators must meet to fly."],"plain_english_summary":"This amendment cancels the original directive and allows SAAB SF340A aeroplanes to continue flying only if three conditions are met: a continuous ignition system is installed and used per SAAB‑Fairchild Service Bulletin SF340‑74‑002 Rev 1; the Flight Manual Temporary Revision from that bulletin is incorporated and approved by the Department; and the bulletin’s inspection instructions are completed. It affects all SF340A operators, who bear installation and inspection costs; the Department approves the manual change. The change follows a technical reassessment that enabled relaxation of prior summer restrictions."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-4-amdt-1-powerplant-flameouts","history":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-4-amdt-1-powerplant-flameouts/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-4-amdt-1-powerplant-flameouts/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-4-amdt-1-powerplant-flameouts/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-4-amdt-1-powerplant-flameouts/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-4-amdt-1-powerplant-flameouts/documents"}}