COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B727/136
Amdt 2
MLG Door Actuator Rib Fitting and Attach Bolts
6/97
Applicability: Model 727 series aircraft.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 97-02-09 Amdt 39-9894.
Note: Boeing Service Bulletins 727-32-0364, 727-32-0383 Revision 1, and 727-32A0399 refer.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement Document with a revised effective date of 22 May 1997; until replacement of the aluminium actuator rib fittings with new steel actuator rib fittings in accordance with Part III of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-32A0399.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 22 May 1997.
Background: The FAA received reports of loose main landing gear actuator attach fitting bolts that allowed movement of the fitting, which jammed the gear door and prevented full extension of one main gear; resulting in a landing with that gear partially extended.
Amendment 1 responded to an FAA AD which reassessed the corrective actions that were in place.
Amendment 2 is issued in response to a new FAA AD which supersedes two existing AD’s, and requires inspections to detect cracking in an expanded area of the actuator rib fitting, and various follow-on actions. A report was received of a fractured rib fitting that had been reworked in accordance with one of the existing ADs.
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 1 April 1993.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 12 December 1991.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, are comprehensive in nature and include specific parts and schedules that govern various aspects of civil aviation safety. Part 39 of these regulations, titled "Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives," outlines specific directives for maintaining the airworthiness of various aircraft types. One such directive is AD/B727/136, which pertains to Boeing 727 series aeroplanes, specifically addressing the MLG Door Actuator Rib Fitting and Attach Bolts. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns related to the main landing gear actuator attach fitting bolts, which, if loose, could lead to gear door jamming and partial gear extension during landing. The directive mandates compliance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 97-02-09 Amdt 39-9894 and references relevant Boeing Service Bulletins. The policy objective is to ensure the structural integrity and operational safety of Boeing 727 series aircraft by requiring inspections and necessary repairs to prevent potential safety incidents.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety and maintenance standards for aircraft in Australia, with a focus on the Boeing 727 series aeroplanes as detailed in Airworthiness Directive AD/B727/136 Amendment 2. This legislation applies to all Boeing 727 series aircraft operating within Australia, ensuring that these aircraft meet specific safety requirements to prevent issues such as jammed main landing gear doors and subsequent partial extension of the landing gear. The directive mandates compliance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 97-02-09 Amendment 39-9894, which includes inspections for cracking in the main landing gear actuator rib fittings and other corrective measures. The directive came into effect on 22 May 1997, and compliance is required until the specified aluminium actuator rib fittings are replaced with new steel fittings, as detailed in Boeing Service Bulletin 727-32A0399. The regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and extend to all aircraft registered and operating in Australia, ensuring a uniform approach to aviation safety across the nation.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, contains several provisions pertaining to the maintenance and safety standards of Boeing 727 series aeroplanes. The directive AD/B727/136 Amendment 2 addresses the fitting and attachment bolts of the main landing gear (MLG) door actuator rib. This directive mandates that actions must comply with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 97-02-09 Amendment 39-9894 (Section 39 - 105). It refers to Boeing Service Bulletins 727-32-0364, 727-32-0383 Revision 1, and 727-32A0399 for additional guidance on the matter.
Entities and parties governed by this directive must ensure that the aluminium actuator rib fittings on Boeing 727 series aircraft are replaced with new steel actuator rib fittings as specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-32A0399. This replacement must occur before the effective date of the directive, which is 22 May 1997, unless the aircraft has already undergone the replacement process in line with the instructions provided. Compliance with this directive is essential to prevent the movement of the actuator attach fitting bolts, which can lead to jamming of the gear door and hinder the full extension of the main landing gear. This can result in significant safety risks, including landing with a partially extended gear.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this Airworthiness Directive could result in severe consequences. Non-compliance may lead to operational disruptions and potentially dangerous flight conditions. The directive becomes effective on 22 May 1997, and any aircraft found not to meet the specified requirements post this date could be subject to enforcement actions. The seriousness of these safety measures underscores the importance of adhering to the directive to ensure the continued airworthiness of Boeing 727 series aeroplanes. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the legislative instrument, they could include fines, operational restrictions, or other regulatory actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.