COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For 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 CASR 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.
Boeing 717 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B717/14 Horizontal Stabiliser Hinge Fittings and
Structure and Elevator Sectors
7/2004
Applicability: Model 717-200 series aircraft, as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 717-55-0003, dated 18 June 2002.
Requirement: Inspect in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2004-08-02 Amdt 39-13571.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 8 July 2004.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 8 July 2004.
Background: The FAA requires inspections to detect corrosion of the left and right hand horizontal stabiliser hinge fitting bolts, barrel nuts, and associated holes in the horizontal stabiliser structure, and the left and right hand elevator sector pinch bolts and associated holes; which undetected, could lead to loss of a hinge fitting and reduced structural integrity of the horizontal stabiliser.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 May 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 16 June 2004.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia, addressing gaps in safety standards and practices within the industry. This legislation is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. A specific instance of this regulation in action is seen in Airworthiness Directive AD/B717/14, issued on 26 May 2004, which targets the Boeing 717 Series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the issue of undetected corrosion in critical components such as the horizontal stabiliser hinge fittings and elevator sectors, which could potentially lead to a loss of structural integrity. The policy objective of this Airworthiness Directive is to mandate inspections to ensure these components are free from corrosion, thereby maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) specifically targets the Boeing 717-200 series aircraft, as outlined in Boeing Service Bulletin 717-55-0003 dated 18 June 2002. This directive mandates inspections to detect corrosion in the horizontal stabiliser hinge fittings, barrel nuts, and associated holes in the horizontal stabiliser structure, as well as the left and right hand elevator sector pinch bolts and associated holes. The directive is issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft, with the aim of preventing potential loss of hinge fittings and reduced structural integrity of the horizontal stabiliser. This directive applies nationwide within the Commonwealth of Australia and is effective from 8 July 2004, following its notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 16 June 2004.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998), under Part 39, specifically section 105, detail the Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These ADs are regulatory mandates issued to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. For instance, AD/B717/14 pertains to the Boeing 717 series aeroplanes and mandates specific inspections on the horizontal stabiliser hinge fittings, barrel nuts, and elevator sectors. The directive applies to Model 717-200 series aircraft as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 717-55-0003 dated 18 June 2002. The requirement outlined in this AD is to inspect these components in accordance with the technical specifications provided in FAA AD 2004-08-02 Amdt 39-13571, with a compliance date set for 8 July 2004.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators of the Boeing 717-200 series aircraft. These obligations include conducting detailed inspections of the left and right hand horizontal stabiliser hinge fittings, barrel nuts, and associated holes, as well as the left and right hand elevator sector pinch bolts and associated holes. The inspections must be carried out meticulously to detect any signs of corrosion, which could potentially lead to loss of a hinge fitting and reduced structural integrity of the horizontal stabiliser. These inspections are not optional and must be performed in line with the instructions provided by the FAA to ensure the highest safety standards are maintained.
Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in the AD could have serious repercussions. Non-compliance with AD/B717/14 might result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to grounding until the required inspections and any necessary repairs are completed. This not only poses a significant safety risk but could also result in substantial financial penalties. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, penalties for non-compliance with ADs can be severe. Civil penalties can include fines up to $22,230 per offence, while criminal penalties may include fines up to $111,150 and/or imprisonment for up to five years. These stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to the AD to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.