AD/B727/87 Amdt 2 - Auxiliary Body Fuel System

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety and airworthiness of aircraft by mandating the application of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This particular legislative instrument, F2006B02791, targets Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes and aims to address safety concerns related to the auxiliary body fuel system, specifically the risk of cell collapse and unscheduled transfer of fuel into the auxiliary tank. This directive, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aims to ensure the continued safety of air travel by enforcing mandatory inspections and replacements within specified flight cycles. Enacted to fill a critical safety gap, this legislative instrument requires Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes equipped with auxiliary fuel systems to undergo specific maintenance actions unless they have already complied with previous directives, such as Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-28A0062 Revision 5. The directive stipulates that these actions must be completed within 500 flight cycles from 14 September 1995. The policy objective is to prevent structural failures that could lead to hazardous fuel leaks, thereby maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the broader legislative framework under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, apply to all entities and persons involved in the operation of aircraft within Australia, including domestic and international flights. This particular regulation, pertaining to the Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes, specifically targets the auxiliary body fuel system, applying to all models equipped with such a system unless the required action has already been performed as detailed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-28A0062 Revision 5. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, as they are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, a Commonwealth body. The regulation also references FAA AD 80-02-01 R2 Amdt 39-3969, which supersedes previous amendments, ensuring that compliance is up-to-date with international standards. Operators must ensure compliance within 500 flight cycles from the date of the directive, 14 September 1995, and must replace the fuel tank cap assembly before this period elapses if the auxiliary fuel tank assembly has been deactivated. This regulation extends its application through subordinate instruments, such as the referenced bulletins, which provide detailed procedural guidance.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, impose specific airworthiness directives for the Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes, particularly concerning the auxiliary body fuel system. Section AD/B727/87 Amendment 2 requires that all models equipped with an auxiliary fuel system undergo testing and inspection to prevent issues such as cell collapse and unintended fuel transfer into the auxiliary tank. This directive applies to all models unless the action specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-28A0062 Revision 5 has already been carried out. This requirement ensures that the aircraft's fuel system remains safe and operational, reducing the risk of in-flight fuel-related incidents. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved within 500 flight cycles from the specified date of 14 September 1995. The directive outlines a clear pathway for ensuring the auxiliary body fuel system is inspected and maintained to the required standards. Notably, the installation of Boeing's final design refuel and vent line shrouds is recognised as a terminating action for this airworthiness directive, indicating that once installed, further actions under this directive are not necessary. Furthermore, Amendment 2 mandates that the fuel tank cap assembly must be replaced before reaching 500 cycles on any auxiliary fuel tank assembly that has been deactivated. Entities governed by these regulations, such as aircraft operators and maintenance providers, bear the responsibility of ensuring that all required inspections and maintenance actions are performed within the stipulated timeframes. This includes verifying that any previously issued directives or service bulletins have been addressed and that all necessary components, such as the fuel tank cap assembly, are replaced as required. Failure to adhere to these obligations can lead to serious safety risks and potential legal consequences. Non-compliance with the airworthiness directives can result in significant legal and financial repercussions. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, violations of these regulations can lead to substantial fines and other penalties. The maximum penalties for breaches can include fines of up to $16,200 for individuals and $81,000 for corporations, in addition to potential criminal charges for serious offences. These stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to the prescribed maintenance and inspection requirements to ensure the safety and airworthiness of Boeing 727 aircraft.