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/B727/178 Main Deck Cargo Door Hinge, Cargo Door System
and Cargo Barrier - 2
11/2002
Applicability: Model 727 series aircraft that have been converted from a passenger to a cargo- carrying (“freighter”) configuration in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA1368SO, SA1797SO, or SA1798SO.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2002-16-20 Amdt 39-12859.
Note: Accomplishment of the actions in accordance with Aeronautical Engineers Incorporated (AEI) Service Bulletin AEI01-01, Revision B, dated 26 October 2001, constitutes compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (b) and (c) of the Requirement document.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document with a revised effective date of 31 October 2002.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 31 October 2002.
Background: The FAA has determined that the main deck cargo door hinge installed on conversion from a passenger carrying to a cargo carrying aircraft configuration, is not fail- safe; that certain main deck cargo door control systems do not provide an adequate level of safety; and that the main deck cargo barrier is not structurally adequate during an emergency landing.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 11 September 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 October 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, form part of the regulatory framework governing civil aviation safety in Australia. Specifically, Part 39 of these regulations includes a schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety concerns with particular aircraft types and systems. The AD in question, AD/B727/178, pertains to Boeing 727 series aeroplanes that have been converted from passenger to cargo configurations. It was enacted to address the identified safety issues with the main deck cargo door hinge, cargo door system, and cargo barrier. The directive mandates corrective actions in line with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) requirements, aiming to ensure these aircraft meet the necessary safety standards. This legislative instrument was issued by the delegate of CASA under the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Act 1988, reflecting the regulator's commitment to maintaining high safety standards within Australia's civil aviation sector.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) is a comprehensive piece of legislation that governs various aspects of civil aviation within Australia, including aircraft design, manufacture, operation, maintenance, and airworthiness. Under PART 39 - 105 of the Regulations, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is empowered to issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. Specifically, AD/B727/178 addresses the safety concerns related to the main deck cargo door hinge, cargo door system, and cargo barrier of Boeing 727 series aircraft that have been converted from passenger to cargo-carrying configurations. The directive applies to aircraft modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) SA1368SO, SA1797SO, or SA1798SO, requiring them to comply with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2002-16-20 Amdt 39-12859. The directive also references Aeronautical Engineers Incorporated (AEI) Service Bulletin AEI01-01, Revision B, for compliance purposes. This AD mandates corrective actions to address safety issues identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and became effective on 31 October 2002.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) pertains specifically to Boeing 727 series aircraft that have undergone a conversion from passenger to cargo configuration under certain Supplemental Type Certificates (STC). This directive mandates corrective actions to address safety concerns related to the main deck cargo door hinge, cargo door system, and cargo barrier. These actions must align with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2002-16-20 Amdt 39-12859, and compliance with Aeronautical Engineers Incorporated (AEI) Service Bulletin AEI01-01, Revision B, dated 26 October 2001, is deemed sufficient. The compliance period for these actions is set as specified in the requirement document, with an effective date of 31 October 2002.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the entities managing Boeing 727 series aircraft that have been converted from passenger to cargo configuration. These obligations include ensuring that the corrective actions, as outlined in the AD, are taken in accordance with the specified technical requirements. This involves adhering to the FAA AD 2002-16-20 Amdt 39-12859, which may include modifications to the main deck cargo door hinge, cargo door control systems, and the cargo barrier to enhance safety. Additionally, entities must ensure that the actions are completed by the revised effective date, which is 31 October 2002, as stipulated in the AD.
Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive can result in significant legal and safety repercussions. The AD establishes that non-compliance with the specified actions and timelines can lead to the aircraft being considered unairworthy. This means that operators may face grounding of their aircraft until the necessary modifications are made, potentially disrupting operations and incurring financial penalties. Additionally, non-compliance with ADs is a serious safety violation, and the authorities may take enforcement actions against the operators, including fines, legal proceedings, and potential revocation of airworthiness certificates for the affected aircraft. The exact penalties for non-compliance are not specified in the AD but can be severe, reflecting the critical nature of ensuring aircraft safety.