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/B727/175 Wing Rear Spar Upper Chord 5/2002
Applicability: All Model 727 series aircraft.
Requirement: Inspect in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2002-04-06 Amdt 39-12663.
Note: Boeing Service Bulletin 727-57-0184 refers.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document with a revised effective date of 16 May 2002.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 16 May 2002.
Background: The FAA requires certain inspections in order to detect cracking of the upper chord of the rear spar of the wing. Such cracking could result in fuel leaking through the cracks, reduced structural integrity of the wing, and possible separation of the wing from the aircraft.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 22 March 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 April 2002.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B02699, encompass a series of regulations intended to maintain the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia. This legislative instrument was enacted to address the identified safety concerns regarding the Boeing 727 series aircraft, particularly focusing on the structural integrity of the wing rear spar upper chord. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive AD/B727/175 to mandate specific inspections to detect potential cracking in the upper chord of the rear spar of the wing, which could lead to fuel leaks, compromised structural integrity, and potential wing separation. This directive was developed in response to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirement, aiming to ensure that all Model 727 series aircraft are inspected in accordance with the stipulated technical requirements to maintain safety standards and prevent any unsafe conditions from arising during flight operations.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to all Model 727 series aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia. Issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), this AD mandates specific actions to address a safety issue identified with the upper chord of the rear wing spar of Boeing 727 aircraft. The directive requires inspection of the rear spar upper chord in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 2002-04-06 Amdt 39-12663, with reference to Boeing Service Bulletin 727-57-0184, to detect potential cracking that could lead to fuel leaks, structural integrity issues, and wing separation. Compliance with this directive must be achieved by the effective date specified, which was revised to 16 May 2002. This AD serves to enhance safety standards within the Australian aviation industry by aligning with international regulatory practices and ensuring that all Boeing 727 series aircraft meet specific airworthiness criteria.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, establish a framework for ensuring the safety of aircraft in Australia. The Airworthiness Directive (AD) is one of the key provisions within this framework, enabling the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue mandatory instructions to address specific safety concerns. In this instance, AD/B727/175 pertains to the Boeing 727 series aircraft and mandates inspections to prevent potential cracking in the wing rear spar upper chord. This requirement is detailed in the section titled 'Requirement', which refers to the technical inspection standards set out in FAA AD 2002-04-06 Amdt 39-12663, with further reference to Boeing Service Bulletin 727-57-0184.
The AD imposes clear obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Operators of Model 727 series aircraft must conduct the specified inspections as detailed in the FAA AD. This includes adhering to the technical requirements laid out in the referenced FAA document and ensuring compliance with the revised effective date of 16 May 2002, as stipulated in the 'Compliance' section. Failure to comply with these mandated inspections could result in severe safety risks, such as fuel leaks, reduced structural integrity, and potential wing separation, all of which are highlighted in the 'Background' section of the directive.
Failure to adhere to the Airworthiness Directive can lead to serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with an AD is an offence. The potential penalties for such breaches include substantial fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges. The exact penalties may vary, but they are designed to enforce strict compliance to ensure the highest safety standards are maintained. In this context, the AD serves as a critical tool for CASA to mitigate safety risks associated with specific aircraft components, ensuring that operators take necessary actions to prevent potential hazards.