COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B727/103 MLG Side Strut Downlock Bearing and Bolt 9/87
Applicability: All models.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 727-32-0341, dated 18 December 1986, or later Revision.
Note: FAA AD 87-06-10 Amendment 39-5578 refers.
Compliance: Prior to accumulating 10,000 landings, OR Prior to accumulating 6 years total time in service of affected bearings, OR Prior to 13 April 1988.
Background: Reports have been received of deterioration of the MLG side strut downlock bearing by corrosion which, if not corrected, can prevent the proper extension of the landing gear. These reports prompted the Federal Aviation Agency to issue an Airworthiness Directive.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation within Australia, including specific directives aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft operations. One such directive, AD/B727/103, targets Boeing 727 series aeroplanes, specifically addressing issues related to the main landing gear (MLG) side strut downlock bearing and bolt. This directive was introduced to address the problem of corrosion in the MLG side strut downlock bearing, which, if left unaddressed, could compromise the landing gear's proper extension, thereby posing significant safety risks. The directive mandates corrective actions in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 727-32-0341 or later revisions, ensuring that these aircraft meet specified safety standards before reaching certain operational milestones, such as 10,000 landings, six years of total service time, or before a specified compliance date of 13 April 1988.
The policy objective behind this directive is to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation by proactively addressing potential mechanical failures through timely maintenance and inspections. By mandating compliance with specific technical bulletins, CASA ensures that all Boeing 727 series aircraft operating within Australia adhere to stringent safety requirements, thus mitigating the risk of in-flight incidents due to landing gear malfunctions.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/B727/103, applies to all models of Boeing 727 series aeroplanes operating within Australia. This regulation mandates compliance with Boeing Service Bulletin 727-32-0341, dated 18 December 1986, or any subsequent revisions, to address the issue of corrosion in the main landing gear (MLG) side strut downlock bearing. This corrosion can compromise the proper extension of the landing gear, posing a significant safety risk. Compliance with the directive is required either before the aircraft accumulates 10,000 landings, or before the affected bearings accumulate six years of total service time, or before 13 April 1988, whichever comes first. The directive extends its regulatory reach to all Boeing 727 aeroplanes registered in Australia, ensuring adherence to safety standards set by CASA, and references FAA AD 87-06-10 Amendment 39-5578 for additional context and regulatory alignment.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain provisions concerning the Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft types. In the context of Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes, AD/B727/103 pertains to the MLG (Main Landing Gear) side strut downlock bearing and bolt. Section 105 requires action in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 727-32-0341, dated 18 December 1986, or any later revisions (section 105). This means that operators of Boeing 727 aeroplanes must adhere to the guidelines and recommendations laid out in this service bulletin to ensure the airworthiness of their aircraft.
Under this directive, operators must ensure compliance by taking action before the aeroplane accumulates 10,000 landings, or before the affected bearings have been in service for a total of 6 years, or before 13 April 1988, whichever comes first. This requirement is crucial to prevent the deterioration of the MLG side strut downlock bearing, which can be caused by corrosion. Such deterioration can prevent the proper extension of the landing gear, which is a significant safety concern (section 105).
The obligations imposed by this Act include ensuring that the aircraft maintenance and inspection procedures are followed meticulously. Operators must ensure that the specified components of the MLG side strut downlock bearing are inspected, maintained, or replaced as per the service bulletin. This may involve conducting thorough visual inspections, applying necessary lubrication, or replacing parts to maintain the structural integrity of the landing gear system. Furthermore, operators must keep detailed records of all actions taken to comply with the directive, as these records may be required for audits or inspections by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (section 105).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. The Act stipulates that non-compliance can lead to the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could result in grounding of the aircraft until the necessary actions are taken. Additionally, operators may face civil penalties, including fines, and in more severe cases, criminal charges. The maximum penalties can vary, but they are designed to ensure that operators take the necessary steps to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft and ensure the safety of passengers and crew (section 105).