COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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/B727/173 Horizontal Stabiliser Hinge Pin 13/2001
Applicability: All Model 727 series aircraft.
Requirement: Inspect in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2001-22-12 Amdt 39-12491.
Note: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-55A0090 Revision 1 refers.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document with a revised effective date of 27 December 2001.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 27 December 2001.
Background: The FAA received reports of cracks and corrosion in the outer hinge pins that attach the horizontal stabiliser to the vertical fin on several Model 727 series aircraft.
Corrosion has also been found on inner fail-safe hinge pins. Such corrosion or cracking could lead to structural degradation of the stabiliser hinge joint and consequent loss of the horizontal stabiliser, which would result in loss of controllability of the aircraft.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 16 November 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 5 December 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), enacted in 1998, form the backbone of civil aviation regulation in Australia, ensuring safety and efficiency in the air transport industry. One specific piece of legislation within this framework is the Airworthiness Directive issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. This directive, AD/B727/173, targets Boeing 727 series aeroplanes, mandating specific inspections to address reports of cracks and corrosion in the horizontal stabiliser hinge pins. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), acting as the delegate for the Australian Government, issued this directive to mitigate the risk of structural degradation in the stabiliser hinge joint, which could lead to loss of control over the aircraft. The directive became effective on 27 December 2001, following its notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 5 December 2001. The primary policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring that aircraft meet the necessary airworthiness standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products. This legislative instrument, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), applies to all Model 727 series aircraft operating within the Commonwealth of Australia. The AD requires the inspection of horizontal stabiliser hinge pins in accordance with the technical specifications of FAA AD 2001-22-12 Amdt 39-12491, with a compliance deadline set for 27 December 2001. The directive becomes effective on the same date, aiming to address reports of cracks and corrosion in the hinge pins that could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft, potentially leading to a loss of control. This specific AD extends its reach to all relevant aircraft within the Commonwealth, enforcing stringent safety measures to mitigate identified risks.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) mandate to issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for the safety of aircraft. Section 39.1(1) empowers a CASA delegate to issue such directives to correct unsafe conditions identified in specific aircraft or aeronautical products. In this instance, AD/B727/173 addresses the Boeing 727 series aeroplanes, focusing on the horizontal stabiliser hinge pin (Section 13/2001). The AD applies to all Model 727 series aircraft and requires an inspection to be conducted according to the technical requirements of FAA AD 2001-22-12 Amdt 39-12491, referencing Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-55A0090 Revision 1.
The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and precise. Operators of Boeing 727 series aircraft must ensure that the inspection of the horizontal stabiliser hinge pins is performed in accordance with the specified FAA and Boeing guidelines. This inspection is crucial to detect any cracks or corrosion that could compromise the structural integrity of the hinge joint. Failure to adhere to the AD’s requirements can lead to serious safety issues, including the potential loss of the horizontal stabiliser and, consequently, the loss of controllability of the aircraft. Therefore, it is imperative that the inspections are conducted at the time specified in the compliance section, which has been set as 27 December 2001.
Breach of this Airworthiness Directive could result in severe consequences. The AD stipulates that any deviation from the specified inspection requirements is not only a violation of safety regulations but could also lead to the aircraft being deemed unairworthy. Operators found in non-compliance may face significant penalties, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the AD to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the Boeing 727 series aircraft. The maximum penalties for non-compliance are not explicitly stated in the AD, but they could include substantial financial penalties and legal action under aviation safety laws.