COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/106 Aileron Centring Spring and Trim Mechanism 6/97
Applicability: Model 737 series aircraft; as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-27-1155, dated October 26, 1989; as revised by Notices of Status Change No. 737-27-1155NSC1, dated January 25, 1990, No. 737-27-1155NSC2, dated February 15, 1990, and No.
737-27-1155NSC3, dated May 17, 1990.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 97-04-01 Amdt 39- 9925.
Compliance: Before 21 September 1998.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 22 May 1997.
Background: This Directive is prompted as a result of findings by the Critical Design Review team of the design of the flight control systems on Model 737 series aircraft. The actions specified by this Directive are intended to prevent jamming of the aileron control system during flight due to fracturing of the springs in the aileron centring units.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. This legislation establishes stringent standards and regulations that govern all aspects of civil aviation, including airworthiness requirements, licensing, and operational procedures. One specific instrument under this Act is AD/B737/106, which pertains to the Boeing 737 series aeroplanes and focuses on the aileron centring spring and trim mechanism. This Airworthiness Directive was introduced to address safety concerns identified by the Critical Design Review team regarding the potential for jamming of the aileron control system due to spring fractures in the aileron centring units. The directive mandates compliance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 97-04-01 Amdt 39-9925, ensuring that corrective actions are taken before 21 September 1998 to maintain the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft.
The policy objective behind this directive is to prevent in-flight incidents caused by mechanical failures in the aileron control system, thereby safeguarding the lives of passengers and crew. By mandating specific technical requirements and compliance timelines, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority aims to ensure that all Boeing 737 series aircraft meet the necessary safety standards, thereby maintaining the high level of safety that is a cornerstone of Australia's civil aviation regulations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the application of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/106 concerning Boeing 737 series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to the model 737 series aircraft as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-27-1155, dated October 26, 1989, and further revised by Notices of Status Change No. 737-27-1155NSC1 dated January 25, 1990, No. 737-27-1155NSC2 dated February 15, 1990, and No. 737-27-1155NSC3 dated May 17, 1990. The directive mandates compliance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 97-04-01 Amdt 39-9925, requiring action to be taken before September 21, 1998. The directive became effective on May 22, 1997, and is aimed at preventing jamming of the aileron control system during flight due to spring fractures in the aileron centring units. This regulation applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that the safety and airworthiness standards for civil aviation are uniformly upheld nationwide.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Part 39 - 105) incorporate Airworthiness Directive AD/B737/106, which applies to Boeing 737 series aircraft as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-27-1155 and subsequent notices (sections 1 to 3). This directive mandates actions in line with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 97-04-01 Amendment 39-9925 to prevent potential jamming of the aileron control system due to spring fractures in the aileron centring units (section 4). Compliance with this directive is required before 21 September 1998, with the directive itself becoming effective on 22 May 1997 (section 5).
The Airworthiness Directive imposes specific obligations on the operators and maintenance providers of Boeing 737 series aircraft. These include ensuring that the actions prescribed in FAA AD 97-04-01 Amendment 39-9925 are implemented correctly and in a timely manner, specifically before the deadline of 21 September 1998 (section 4). Operators and maintenance providers must adhere to the technical specifications and procedures outlined in the FAA directive to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft, particularly focusing on the aileron centring units and their springs (section 4).
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/B737/106 may result in significant consequences. Non-compliance could lead to safety risks, potentially compromising the aircraft's flight control systems. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, such non-compliance may result in enforcement actions, including fines or other penalties as prescribed by the regulations (section 105). The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the non-compliance, but they could include substantial financial penalties or other administrative actions to ensure the safety of the aviation operations.