COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B727/117 Inboard T/E Flaps Inboard Track 8/90
Applicability: All models 727.
Requirement: Action in accordance with FAA AD 90-07-05 Amendment 39-6548, Parts A, B, C and D.
Note: Boeing SB 727-57-0178 Rev 3, and Boeing SB 727-57-117 Rev 5 refer.
Compliance: Unless previously accomplished:
For Part A: Prior to exceeding 1000 flight cycles after 9 August 1990 or prior to 28 February 1991, whichever occurs first, and thereafter in accordance with the Requirement Document.
For Part B: Prior to (1) or (2) below, whichever occurs later, and thereafter in accordance with the Requirement document.
(1) Prior to exceeding 9000 flight cycles or 6 years since modification, whichever occurs first; or
(2) Prior to exceeding 1000 flight cycles after 9 August 1990, or prior to 28 February 1991, whichever occurs first.
For Part C: Prior to (1) or (2) below whichever occurs later, and thereafter in accordance with the Requirement document.
(1) Prior to exceeding 12000 flight cycles or 8 years since repair whichever occurs first, or
(2) Prior to exceeding 1000 flight cycles after 9 August 1990, or prior to 28 February 1991, whichever occurs first.
For Part D: Compliance in accordance with the Requirement document constitutes terminating action for the inspection requirements of the Directive.
Background: Country of origin AD. Cracking and/or corrosion of the flap tracks has occurred and if not corrected could lead to separation of a flap.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, was enacted to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australian airspace. This legislative instrument, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aims to mitigate risks associated with the operation of Boeing 727 series aeroplanes. The problem it addresses is the potential for cracking and corrosion in the inboard track of the T/E flaps, which could lead to flap separation and compromise flight safety. The regulations mandate compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive AD 90-07-05 Amendment 39-6548, Parts A, B, C and D, ensuring that inspections and repairs are carried out in a timely manner to prevent such failures. The policy objective is to maintain high safety standards by enforcing rigorous maintenance and inspection procedures on aircraft operating within Australian jurisdiction.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandate the applicability of Airworthiness Directives (AD) concerning Boeing 727 series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all models of the Boeing 727 and necessitates compliance with FAA AD 90-07-05 Amendment 39-6548, encompassing Parts A, B, C, and D. The primary requirement is to address issues related to the inboard track of the T/E flaps to prevent cracking and corrosion which could potentially result in flap separation. Compliance with these directives is critical and involves specific timelines and conditions, such as conducting required actions before exceeding certain flight cycles or timeframes post the issuance of the directive. The regulations also reference Boeing Service Bulletins for further guidance. These directives are enforceable under Commonwealth law, and non-compliance could result in safety and regulatory penalties. The scope of these regulations extends nationally, applying uniformly across all states and territories within Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the applicability of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes, outlined in AD/B727/117 concerning the inboard T/E flaps inboard track (section 1). This directive is applicable to all models of the 727 series. The directive requires action in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 90-07-05 Amendment 39-6548, Parts A, B, C, and D, which address specific maintenance and inspection requirements to prevent potential cracking and corrosion issues in the flap tracks that could lead to flap separation.
The AD imposes specific compliance timelines and conditions on the operators of Boeing 727 aircraft. For Part A, operators must comply with the directive prior to exceeding 1000 flight cycles after 9 August 1990 or before 28 February 1991, whichever is earlier, and then continue to comply as per the requirement document. For Part B, compliance must occur before either exceeding 9000 flight cycles or 6 years since the last modification, whichever is earlier, and again, before exceeding 1000 flight cycles after 9 August 1990 or before 28 February 1991. For Part C, compliance is required before exceeding 12000 flight cycles or 8 years since the last repair, whichever is earlier, and also before exceeding 1000 flight cycles after 9 August 1990 or before 28 February 1991. Lastly, for Part D, compliance with the requirement document constitutes the terminating action for the inspection requirements of the directive.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in significant consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed within the text, non-compliance could lead to regulatory action by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Such actions could include enforcement notices, compliance orders, or more severe measures such as grounding the aircraft or imposing fines. Additionally, operators could face civil or criminal liability for any incidents or accidents arising from non-compliance with the AD, potentially leading to substantial financial penalties and reputational damage. The severity of the consequences underscores the importance of strict adherence to the outlined compliance timelines and conditions.