COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B727/130 Life Raft Stowage Compartment 4/91
Applicability: Model 727 series, as listed in SB 727-25-0271.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 91-03-09 Amdt 39-6874.
Note: Boeing SB 727-25-0271 refers.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement Document but with a revised effectively date of 18 April 1991 for Australian registered aircraft.
Background: The FAA has received a report from an operator that loose items stored in life raft compartments became discoloured and scorched after falling through gaps in the compartment onto hot passenger service unit lights. This condition, if not corrected, could result in an on-board cabin fire.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This piece of legislation, particularly the Airworthiness Directives, was introduced to address the problem of ensuring aircraft are maintained in a safe and airworthy condition. AD/B727/130, concerning the Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes, was issued to address the specific issue of life raft stowage compartments that allowed loose items to fall onto hot passenger service unit lights, potentially causing on-board cabin fires. The policy objective behind this directive is to mandate corrective actions that align with the Federal Aviation Administration’s requirements, ensuring that Australian registered Boeing 727 aircraft meet the necessary safety standards. This directive reflects a collaborative approach between the Australian and United States aviation authorities to mitigate safety risks associated with aircraft design and maintenance.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, applies to Boeing 727 series aeroplanes that are registered in Australia and mandates compliance with certain airworthiness directives. The regulation in question, AD/B727/130, pertains to the life raft stowage compartment and requires actions in accordance with the technical specifications outlined in FAA AD 91-03-09 Amdt 39-6874. The directive references Boeing SB 727-25-0271 for the model series subject to these requirements. The regulation mandates compliance with the specified requirements, with a particular effective date of 18 April 1991 for Australian registered aircraft. The regulation was prompted by an incident where loose items in the life raft compartments became discoloured and scorched due to falling through gaps onto hot passenger service unit lights, potentially leading to an on-board cabin fire if unaddressed. While the regulation is confined to the specified aircraft and the particular condition identified, it underscores the importance of maintaining stringent safety standards in civil aviation.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, details an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the stowage compartment for life rafts (AD/B727/130). This directive applies to aircraft models 727 series, as listed in Service Bulletin (SB) 727-25-0271 (Section 105.02). The key requirement under this directive is that the action taken must comply with the technical specifications outlined in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 91-03-09 Amendment 39-6874 (Section 105.03). The compliance note clarifies that while the directive adheres to the FAA’s requirement, the effective date for Australian registered aircraft is set as 18 April 1991 (Section 105.04).
The obligations imposed by this AD on the parties governed include ensuring that the stowage compartment for life rafts is configured to prevent loose items from falling through gaps and coming into contact with hot passenger service unit lights. This is critical to avoid discolouration and potential scorching of the items, which could escalate into an on-board cabin fire (Section 105.05). Operators of the Boeing 727 series must adhere to the specifications provided in the FAA AD 91-03-09 Amendment 39-6874 and ensure that the required modifications are implemented by the specified effective date.
Failure to comply with the AD could result in serious safety hazards, as the risk of a cabin fire is significant if loose items in the life raft compartment are not properly secured. The AD does not explicitly state civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance within the provided text. However, the implications of not adhering to such safety directives can include enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which may involve penalties, grounding of the aircraft, or other regulatory measures to ensure compliance and safety. The potential for serious safety incidents underscores the importance of strict adherence to these regulations.