COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B727/101
Amdt 1
Rear Pressure Bulkhead Web 9/86
Applicability: All Model 727 aeroplanes.
Requirement: Inspect in accordance with Figure 1 of Boeing Alert SB 727-53A0171 Revision 1, until modified in accordance with either:
- Paragraph D of the Accomplishment Instructions in Boeing Alert S.B. 727- 53A0171, Revision 1; or
2. Paragraphs E and F of the same S.B.
Note: FAA AD 86-02-06 Rev. 1 refers.
Compliance: (a) before exceeding 33,000 flights; or
(b) within the next 1,500 flights after 30 September 1986;
whichever is the later, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 3,500 flights.
Background: This Directive implements Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53-0171 Revision 1 which was raised following the discovery of cracks in thirty airframes. Cracking is attributed to fatigue under cabin pressure cycling. Amendment 1 to this Directive removes the repetitive inspection requirement for aircraft that have incorporated the preventative modification. It also requires that , within 15,000 landings after repair with the - 1 repair kit, certain aircraft must be modified by incorporation of a reinforcing strap.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia's Parliament, serve to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation operations within the country. One of the specific amendments to these regulations is AD/B727/101 Amendment 1, which addresses the issue of cracks discovered in the rear pressure bulkhead web of Boeing 727 series aeroplanes. This problem arose due to fatigue under cabin pressure cycling, as evidenced by the cracking found in thirty airframes. The policy objective of this amendment is to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of Boeing 727 aeroplanes by mandating inspections and necessary modifications to prevent further structural failures.
The amendment requires inspections to be conducted in accordance with Boeing Alert SB 727-53A0171 Revision 1 until the aeroplanes are modified as specified. For aircraft that have already undergone preventative modifications, the repetitive inspection requirement is removed. Furthermore, certain aircraft repaired with the -1 repair kit must be modified by incorporating a reinforcing strap within 15,000 landings post-repair. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, with inspections needed before exceeding 33,000 flights or within 1,500 flights after 30 September 1986, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 3,500 flights.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the maintenance and safety of Boeing 727 series aeroplanes through AD/B727/101 Amendment 1. This legislation applies to all Model 727 aeroplanes, requiring inspections and modifications to the rear pressure bulkhead web to address fatigue-related cracking issues. The legislation mandates inspections according to specified Boeing Service Bulletins, with compliance required before the aeroplane exceeds 33,000 flights or within 1,500 flights following 30 September 1986, whichever is later, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 3,500 flights. Furthermore, for aircraft that have not yet incorporated the preventive modification, compliance must be achieved within 15,000 landings after repair with the designated repair kit. The Act does not specify geographic or jurisdictional restrictions beyond its application to all Model 727 aeroplanes operating within Australia, thereby ensuring a national standard for aviation safety. The applicability and requirements are further clarified through subordinate instruments and Service Bulletins issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Airworthiness Directive (AD) are sections 1 to 3, which detail the applicability and requirements of the AD concerning Boeing 727 Series aeroplanes. Section 1 specifies that the directive applies to all Model 727 aeroplanes. Section 2 requires these aeroplanes to be inspected in accordance with Figure 1 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0171 Revision 1. Section 3 outlines the compliance requirements, which include inspections before the aeroplane exceeds 33,000 flights, within 1,500 flights after 30 September 1986, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 3,500 flights.
The obligations imposed by this AD are stringent to ensure the safety of Boeing 727 Series aeroplanes. Operators of these aircraft must adhere to the inspection and modification requirements as detailed in the AD. Specifically, they must conduct inspections as outlined in Figure 1 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0171 Revision 1 until the aeroplanes are modified in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in Boeing Alert S.B. 727-53A0171, Revision 1. Additionally, for aircraft that have been repaired using the -1 repair kit, a reinforcing strap must be incorporated within 15,000 landings post-repair. These obligations are crucial to prevent the occurrence of fatigue-related cracking in the rear pressure bulkhead web.
Failure to comply with this AD may result in serious consequences. Under Section 45C of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive is an offence. The maximum penalty for this offence is 500 penalty units, which equates to a significant financial penalty. In addition to the criminal sanctions, CASA has the authority to take enforcement actions such as grounding non-compliant aircraft, which could have severe operational impacts on the airline or operator. Ensuring adherence to this AD is, therefore, not only a legal requirement but also a critical safety measure.