AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B767/160 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B727/160
Amdt 2
Lower Skin Panel at the Lower Row of Fasteners of Fuselage Lap Joints
8/2002
Applicability: Model Boeing 727 series aircraft, as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 727-53A0222, Revision 1, including Appendix A, dated 15 March 2001.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2002-07-09, Correction, Amdt 39-12703.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement Document, with a revised effective date of 11 July 2002.
The revised effective date remains unchanged by this issue. This amendment becomes effective on 8 August 2002.
Background: The FAA received a report of a 20- inch fatigue crack in the lower skin panel of the fuselage, between BS 540 and BS 560 common to stringer S26L, at the lower row of fasteners in the lap joint. Further investigation revealed multiple site fatigue damage (approximately 80 cracks) in the stringer S-4R lap joint of the lower fastener row of the lower skin panel. Three out of four aircraft inspected were found with such damage at the stringer S-4L joint. Preliminary results of the investigation revealed that the cracking had initiated at approximately 40,000 total flight cycles.
Amendment 1 was prompted by reports of additional crack findings; and limited the applicability, added certain repetitive inspections, revised certain compliance times, and required certain modifications of the fuselage lap joints.
Amendment 2 is issued in response to a Correction of the related FAA AD which corrects a typographical error in the STC number specified in paragraph (i) of the FAA AD. The FAA retained the effective date of the original AD issue, and therefore the revised effective date of Amendment 1 of this Directive is retained. This amendment requires no additional work.
Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B727/160 Amdt 2 (continued)
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 3 March 1999. Amendment 1 to this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 11 July 2002.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 28 June 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 17 July 2002.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B727/160 Amdt 2, issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), addresses safety concerns identified in Boeing 727 series aircraft, specifically relating to fatigue cracks in the fuselage lap joints. This directive aims to correct unsafe conditions identified in these aircraft to ensure continued airworthiness and safety. The AD revokes the previous Amendment 1 and updates the requirements in response to a correction by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding a typographical error in the FAA AD. This update maintains the original effective date of the AD, ensuring that the safety measures remain in alignment with international standards. The AD mandates specific actions in accordance with the technical requirements of the FAA AD 2002-07-09, Amendment 39-12703, and outlines the necessary compliance instructions and timeframes for addressing the identified issues.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B727/160 Amdt 2 applies to Boeing 727 series aircraft as specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 727-53A0222, Revision 1, including Appendix A, dated 15 March 2001. This directive is issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is intended to address safety issues identified in the lower skin panel at the lower row of fasteners of fuselage lap joints of the Boeing 727 series aircraft. The directive mandates specific actions to rectify the unsafe condition, as detailed in the requirement section, and must be complied with by the specified date in the compliance section. This legislative instrument is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 17 July 2002. The directive revokes the previous AD/B767/160 Amdt 1 and incorporates amendments to correct a typographical error in the FAA AD, as well as to address additional reports of fatigue cracks found during inspections. The AD extends its application to ensure that all relevant aircraft meet the specified safety standards, thereby maintaining airworthiness and safety within the Australian aviation sector.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B727/160 Amdt 2 applies to Boeing 727 series aircraft, specifically those listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 727-53A0222, Revision 1, including Appendix A, dated 15 March 2001. This AD mandates actions to address identified unsafe conditions. The requirement for these actions is detailed in the AD and corresponds to the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 2002-07-09, Correction, Amdt 39-12703. Compliance with these requirements must occur in accordance with the instructions and by the specified compliance date of 8 August 2002.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties involved. Operators of Boeing 727 series aircraft must ensure that the required actions are undertaken to correct the identified unsafe condition. This includes conducting inspections, making necessary modifications, and adhering to the stipulated compliance timeframes. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding until the necessary actions are completed.
The AD includes provisions for potential consequences in the event of non-compliance. While the AD itself does not explicitly state civil or criminal penalties, non-compliance with airworthiness directives is generally governed by the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. Such non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including fines and other administrative penalties. Additionally, severe non-compliance might result in criminal charges under relevant aviation laws, potentially leading to more severe penalties including imprisonment.
Overall, the AD AD/B727/160 Amdt 2 is a critical regulatory tool aimed at maintaining the airworthiness of Boeing 727 series aircraft by addressing specific safety concerns. Operators must diligently follow the outlined requirements to ensure continued safe operation of their aircraft.