AD/B727/185 - Hydraulic Accumulator End Cap Separarion

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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 CASR 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/B727/185 Hydraulic Accumulator End Cap Separation 9/2003

 

Applicability: Boeing 727 series aeroplanes, Line Numbers (L/N) 1 to 1832 inclusive with hydraulic accumulators installed as referenced in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletins (BSASB) referred to in the Requirements of this Directive.

 

Requirement: Hydraulic Accumulators in “A” and “B” Systems:

  1. Inspect, in accordance with BSASB 727-29-0064 Revision 1, dated 3 May 2001, the hydraulic accumulators in the “A” and “B” hydraulic systems to determine if the part numbers (P/N) are Parker P/N 1356-603303.

 

2.         If hydraulic accumulators, in compliance with Requirement 1, are determined to be Parker P/N 1356-603303, replace with new or modified accumulators in accordance with BSASB 727-29-0064 Revision 1, dated 3 May 2001.

 

Note 1: BSASB 727-29-0064 Revision 1, refers to Parker Service Bulletin 1356- 603303-29-60, dated 9 January 2001, as the appropriate source of service information for modification of the hydraulic accumulators that are subject to replacement as per BSASB 727-29-0064 Revision 1.

 

Hydraulic Accumulators in Landing Gear Brake System:

 

3.         Inspect, in accordance with BSASB 727-32-0410 Revision 2, dated 24 January 2002, the hydraulic accumulator installed in the landing gear brake system to determine if the P/N is 1356-603399, 3780078-104, BACA11E4S, BACA11E4SA, 60857-4-1, or BACA11E4 (vendor P/N 2660472-4 or 2660472M4).

 

4.         If any hydraulic accumulator, in compliance with Requirement 3, is determined to be P/N 1356-603399 or BACA11E4 (vendor P/N 2660472-4 or 2660472M4), replace existing accumulator clamps and mounting hardware with new, stronger accumulator clamps and mounting hardware, and replace the subject hydraulic accumulator with a new or modified accumulator in accordance with BSASB 727-32-0410 Revision 2, dated 24 January 2002.

 

Note 2: BSASB 727-32-0410 Revision 2, refers to Parker Service Bulletins 1356-

603399-29-61 and 2660472-29-63, both dated 12 December 2000, as the appropriate sources of service information for modification of the hydraulic accumulators that are subject to replacement per BSASB 727-32-0410 Revision 2.

 

5.         If any hydraulic accumulator is determined to be P/N 3780078-104, BACA11E4SA, or 60857-4-1, in compliance with Requirement 3, replace existing accumulator clamps and mounting hardware with new, stronger accumulator clamps and mounting hardware in accordance with BSASB 727-32- 0410 Revision 2, dated 24 January 2002.

 

Hydraulic Accumulators in Aft Airstair System:

 

6.         Inspect, in accordance with BSASB 727-52-0148 Revision 2, dated 24 January, 2002, the hydraulic accumulator in the aft airstair system to determine if the P/N is 1356-603399, 3780078- 04, BACA11E4S, BACA11E4SA, 60857-4-1, or BACA11E4 (vendor P/N 2660472-4 or 2660472M4).

 

7.         If any accumulator is determined to be P/N 1356-603399 or BACA11E4 (vendor P/N 2660472-4 or 2660472M4), in compliance with Requirement 6, replace existing accumulator clamps and mounting hardware with new, stronger accumulator clamps and mounting hardware, and replace the subject hydraulic accumulator with a new or modified accumulator in accordance with BSASB 727-52-0148 Revision 2, dated 24 January 2002.

 

Note 3: BSASB 727-52-0148 Revision 2, refers to Parker Service Bulletins 1356-

603399-29-61 and 2660472-29-63, both dated 12 December 2000, as the appropriate sources of service information for modification of the hydraulic accumulators that are subject to replacement per BSASB 727-52-0148 Revision 2.

 

8.         If any hydraulic accumulator is determined to be P/N 3780078-104, BACA11E4SA, or 60857-4-1, in compliance with Requirement 6, replace existing accumulator clamps and mounting hardware with new, stronger accumulator clamps and mounting hardware in accordance with BSASB 727-52- 0148 Revision 2, dated 24 January 2002.

 

Hydraulic Accumulators not to be installed:

 

9.         Hydraulic accumulators with P/N’s referred to in Requirements 2, 4 and 7 may not be installed on any aircraft as a replacement part.

 

Alternative Means of Compliance:

Inspections and replacements accomplished before the effective date of this Directive per BSASB 727-29-0064, dated 8 June 2000, are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action required by Requirements 1 and 2.

 

Note 4: FAA AD 2003-11-03 Amdt 39-13162 refers.

 

Compliance: For Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8: Within 18 months or prior to exceeding 6,000 flight hours from the effective date of this Directive, whichever occurs sooner.

 

For Requirement 9: From the effective date of this Directive.

 

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 4 September 2003.

 

Background: This Directive requires one-time inspections to determine the part numbers of hydraulic accumulators installed in various areas of the aeroplane and follow-on corrective actions as necessary. These actions are intended to prevent high-velocity separation of a barrel, piston or end cap from a hydraulic accumulator. Such separation could result in injury to personnel, loss of cabin pressurisation, loss of affected hydraulic systems or damage to plumbing, electrical installations or structural members.


Jim Coyne

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 25 July 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 13 August 2003.

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) to address the safety concerns associated with the high-velocity separation of components from hydraulic accumulators in Boeing 727 series aeroplanes. The AD, numbered AD/B727/185, became effective on 4 September 2003 and mandates specific inspections and corrective actions to mitigate the risks of such separations, which could lead to severe consequences including injuries, loss of pressurisation, and damage to aircraft systems. The directive applies to Boeing 727 series aeroplanes with line numbers 1 to 1832, inclusive, that have hydraulic accumulators installed as referenced in the relevant Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletins (BSASB). The primary policy objective is to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft by requiring timely inspections and necessary replacements of specific hydraulic accumulators to prevent potential failures.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Boeing 727 series aeroplanes, within Line Numbers (L/N) 1 to 1832 inclusive, that have hydraulic accumulators installed as referenced in certain Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletins (BSASB). This AD is designed to address an unsafe condition concerning hydraulic accumulators that could lead to high-velocity separation of components, which might cause injuries, loss of cabin pressurisation, or damage to hydraulic systems, plumbing, electrical installations, or structural members. The directive mandates inspections and specific corrective actions for hydraulic accumulators in the "A" and "B" hydraulic systems, the landing gear brake system, and the aft airstair system. Replacements and modifications must adhere to detailed instructions provided in the relevant BSASBs. Compliance with the AD must be achieved within 18 months or before the aeroplane exceeds 6,000 flight hours from the effective date of the directive, whichever is sooner, with some actions required immediately upon the directive's effectiveness. The AD becomes effective on 4 September 2003, and it was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 13 August 2003.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) pertain to the inspection and replacement of hydraulic accumulators in specified systems of Boeing 727 series aeroplanes. Section (1) of the requirement mandates inspecting hydraulic accumulators in the "A" and "B" hydraulic systems to determine if they are Parker P/N 1356-603303; if so, they must be replaced. Section (3) requires inspecting hydraulic accumulators in the landing gear brake system for specific part numbers, with corresponding replacement actions if certain part numbers are found. Sections (6) and (7) involve similar inspections and replacements for hydraulic accumulators in the aft airstair system. Section (9) prohibits the installation of certain hydraulic accumulators as replacement parts. The obligations imposed by this AD on the parties or entities it governs include thorough inspections of hydraulic accumulators in specified systems and following the outlined corrective actions if certain part numbers are identified. Operators of Boeing 727 series aeroplanes must comply with these inspections and actions to ensure the airworthiness and safety of their aircraft. They must adhere to the specified timelines, with inspections and replacements generally required within 18 months or before exceeding 6,000 flight hours from the effective date of this Directive, whichever is sooner. Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD can lead to serious safety issues, including potential injury to personnel, loss of cabin pressurisation, loss of affected hydraulic systems, and damage to plumbing, electrical installations, or structural members. While the AD itself does not explicitly state penalties, non-compliance with CASR could result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include fines, penalties, and other regulatory consequences. The specific penalties are not detailed within this AD but are governed by the broader regulatory framework of the CASR.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.