AD/B737/101 - Elevator Feel and Centering Unit

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, include Part 39 - 105, a schedule of airworthiness directives designed to maintain the safety and reliability of aircraft within Australia's airspace. One such directive, AD/B737/101, pertains specifically to Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes, addressing the issue of high control column forces during critical phases of flight such as takeoff and landing. This directive was enacted to ensure the structural integrity and operational safety of Boeing 737-300, -400, and -500 series aircraft by requiring specific inspections and modifications to the elevator feel and centering unit. The policy objective is to mitigate risks associated with such forces, which could otherwise lead to restricted elevator control and compromise flight safety. The directive references FAA AD 96-25-17 Amdt 39-9860, with compliance mandated as per the specified requirement document, amended to an effective date of 27 March 1997. Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1194 is also referenced, noting that installation of supports and a stop-bolt can serve as terminating action for repetitive inspections if no damage is detected. This measure was introduced in response to a reported incident of high control column forces during critical flight operations, aiming to enhance flight safety by preventing such occurrences.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Boeing 737 series aircraft models 737-300, -400, and -500 up to and including line position 2764. This legislation mandates that these aircraft undergo inspection as per the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 96-25-17 Amdt 39-9860, with reference to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1194. The directive is designed to prevent high control column forces during critical phases of flight such as takeoff and landing, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Compliance with the specified requirements, including the installation of supports and a stop-bolt as per the Boeing bulletin, is crucial and must be carried out with a revised effective date of 27 March 1997. Installation of the specified components constitutes the terminating action for repetitive inspections if no damage is detected during any required inspection.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, section 105, pertains to the Boeing 737 series aeroplanes, with AD/B737/101 focusing on the elevator feel and centering unit. This section applies to all model 737-300, -400, and -500 series aircraft up to and including line position 2764 (section 105.020). The primary requirement outlined in this directive is to conduct inspections in accordance with the technical specifications of FAA AD 96-25-17 Amendment 39-9860 (section 105.030). Additionally, Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1194 is referenced, which may provide supplementary guidance or instructions for these inspections (section 105.020 note). Compliance with this directive necessitates adherence to the specifications detailed in the Requirement Document, with a revised effective date of 27 March 1997 (section 105.040). The obligations imposed by this directive require aircraft operators to perform inspections as per the FAA’s specified technical requirements. This includes ensuring that the elevator feel and centering unit of the Boeing 737 series aeroplanes is examined for any anomalies or issues that could lead to high control column forces during critical phases of flight such as takeoff and landing (section 105.030). Furthermore, if supports and a stop-bolt are installed in line with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1194, this constitutes the terminating action for the repetitive inspections mandated by this directive, provided no damage is detected during any inspection (section 105.030 note). This ensures that the aircraft remain safe and compliant with the regulatory standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive may result in serious safety concerns, as it specifically aims to prevent high control column forces that could restrict elevator control during critical flight phases. Consequently, non-compliance could lead to potential flight safety issues and may result in civil or criminal penalties. Although the exact penalties are not specified in the provided text, it is reasonable to infer that violations could lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which includes fines and potential prosecution. The severity of the penalties would depend on the extent of the non-compliance and the impact on aviation safety.