{"id":"F2006B06980","name":"AD/SF340/50 - Fire Protection - Fire Extinguishing - Engine Inspection of the Fire Handle Switches","slug":"ad-sf340-50-fire-protection-fire-extinguishing-engine-inspection-of-the-fire-handle-switches","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":114895,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06980-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/SF340/50 - Fire Protection - Fire Extinguishing - Engine Inspection of the Fire Handle Switches","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/SF340/50 Fire Protection \\- Fire Extinguishing \\- Engine\n\nInspection of the Fire Handle Switches\n\nApplicability: All SAAB 340B models with serial numbers 354 to 374 inclusive.\n\n  \n2/96\n\nDM\n\nRequirement: 1. Inspect fire handle switches as required by SAAB Service Bulletin 340-26-016 dated 9 November 1995.\n\n2. Replace any affected panel as required by SAAB Service Bulletin 340-26-016 dated 9 November 1995.\n\nNote: Swedish (LFV) SAD Number 1-080 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Inspect prior to 31 December 1995.\n\n2. Replace affected panels by 31 January 1996.\n\nBackground: The manufacturer of the switches used on the SAAB 340 fire handle panel has identified a defective batch which could result in premature failure of the switch. This could result in failure of the fire protection system to properly operate in the event of an engine fire.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, time-bound safety directive targeting a specific mechanical defect. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of addressing the defective fire switch batch."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 300 words)","Only 2 operative requirements with clear deadlines","Single defined applicability criterion (serial numbers 354-374)","No cross-references to other legislation beyond a single service bulletin","No conditional logic or nested exceptions","Straightforward compliance timeline with fixed dates"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a **safety order for specific SAAB aeroplanes**.\n\n**What it does:**\nThis document is an **Airworthiness Directive** — a mandatory safety instruction issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority. It requires owners and operators of certain SAAB 340B aircraft to **inspect and potentially replace fire handle switches** in the cockpit.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Aircraft owners/operators** of SAAB 340B models with serial numbers 354 through 374 (inclusive)\n- **Maintenance engineers** responsible for these aircraft\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThe fire handle switches are critical safety equipment. If an engine catches fire, pilots pull these handles to activate fire suppression systems. A **defective batch of switches** was discovered that could fail prematurely. If the switch fails, the fire protection system might not work — potentially leading to catastrophic fire damage and loss of the aircraft.\n\n**What must be done:**\n1. **Inspection:** Check the fire handle switches before 31 December 1995\n2. **Replacement:** Replace any defective panels by 31 January 1996\n\nBoth actions must follow the manufacturer's specific instructions (SAAB Service Bulletin 340-26-016)."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive’s scope matches the stated purpose in the text: it targets all SAAB 340B aircraft with serial numbers 354–374 inclusive and requires inspection and replacement of affected fire-handle switch panels as prescribed by SAAB Service Bulletin 340-26-016. There is no indication in the provided text that the instrument expands or narrows that scope beyond the manufacturer-identified defective batch and the serial-number range cited (Applicability; Requirement 1–2; Background)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability (specific model and serial numbers) reduces scope complexity (Applicability).","Prescriptive, binary actions (inspect; replace affected panels) are simple to interpret (Requirement 1–2).","Short, fixed compliance deadlines create operational urgency but not procedural complexity (Compliance 1–2).","Technical detail and identification of affected parts are delegated to an external SAAB service bulletin, requiring cross-reference (Requirement 1–2).","Dependence on manufacturer-supplied parts and procedures introduces logistical dependencies despite simple regulatory text (Requirement 1–2)."],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires operators of SAAB 340B aeroplanes (serials 354–374) to inspect—and, if necessary, replace—engine fire-handle switch panels per SAAB Service Bulletin 340‑26‑016. Inspections must be done by 31 Dec 1995 and replacements by 31 Jan 1996. It responds to a manufacturer‑identified defective batch that could impair engine fire extinguishing; operators must arrange and pay for the work."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-50-fire-protection-fire-extinguishing-engine-inspection-of-the-fire-handle-switches","history":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-50-fire-protection-fire-extinguishing-engine-inspection-of-the-fire-handle-switches/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-50-fire-protection-fire-extinguishing-engine-inspection-of-the-fire-handle-switches/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-50-fire-protection-fire-extinguishing-engine-inspection-of-the-fire-handle-switches/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-50-fire-protection-fire-extinguishing-engine-inspection-of-the-fire-handle-switches/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-sf340-50-fire-protection-fire-extinguishing-engine-inspection-of-the-fire-handle-switches/documents"}}