AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/124 Amdt 1 and issues the following 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 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/124
Amdt 2
Aft Cargo Door Frame and the Cross Beams 10/2001
Applicability: Model 737-200 and -200C series aircraft, line numbers 6 through 873.
Model 737-200, -200C, -300, and -400 series aircraft, line numbers 874 through 1642; equipped with an aft cargo door having Boeing part number (P/N) 65-47952-1 or P/N 65-47952-524, except:
- Those aircraft on which that door has been modified in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-52-1079; or,
- Those aircraft on which the door assembly having P/N 65-47952-524; includes four straps (P/N’s 65-47952-139, 65-47952-140, 65-47952-141, and 65-47952-
142) and a thicker lower cross beam web (P/N 65-47952-157).
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2000-06-13 R1 Amdt 39-12317.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document for the inspection and modification requirements, with a revised effective date of 4 October 2001.
This amendment becomes effective on 4 October 2001.
Background: The FAA received reports indicating that fatigue cracks have been detected in the corners of the door frame and the cross beams of the aft cargo door on several in- service aircraft, and another report indicating that rapid depressurisation occurred during flight on one of these aircraft.
Amendment 1 required repetitive high frequency eddy current inspections, and also mandated accomplishment of the previously optional terminating action.
Amendment 2 is issued in response to a new FAA AD, which revises the compliance time for the terminating modification.
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 12 July 2000.
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/124 Amdt 2 (Continued)
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 25 March 1999.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 24 August 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 12 September 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enacted Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/124 Amendment 2 in 2001 to address safety concerns related to fatigue cracks in the aft cargo door frames and cross beams of Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes. This AD specifically applies to Model 737-200 and -200C series aircraft within certain line numbers, as well as Model 737-200, -200C, -300, and -400 series aircraft equipped with particular aft cargo door part numbers. The directive was introduced in response to reports from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicating fatigue cracks in these components, and an incident of rapid depressurisation during flight. The objective of this AD is to ensure the airworthiness of affected aircraft by requiring specific inspections and modifications to the aft cargo door frames and cross beams, in alignment with the technical requirements set forth by the FAA. The AD became effective on 4 October 2001, superseding the previous AD/B737/124 Amendment 1 issued on 12 July 2000.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/124 Amdt 2 pertains specifically to Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes, namely the Model 737-200, -200C, -300, and -400 series aircraft within certain line numbers. This AD applies to aircraft equipped with a specific aft cargo door, identified by Boeing part numbers 65-47952-1 or 65-47952-524, with certain exceptions for those modified in line with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-52-1079 or equipped with certain components. The directive is applicable nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and in accordance with the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The AD mandates specific actions to address fatigue cracks in the door frame and cross beams, which could lead to unsafe conditions such as rapid depressurisation during flight. Compliance with the AD is mandatory and must be carried out in line with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 2000-06-13 R1 Amdt 39-12317, with the compliance deadline set as 4 October 2001. This AD was issued to ensure the continued airworthiness of the specified aircraft and to mitigate identified safety risks.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/124 Amdt 2, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), pertains specifically to the aft cargo door frame and cross beams of Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes. It applies to the 737-200 and -200C series aircraft with line numbers 6 through 873 and the 737-200, -200C, -300, and -400 series aircraft with line numbers 874 through 1642. The directive excludes aircraft with aft cargo doors modified in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-52-1079 or those equipped with a specific door assembly (P/N 65-47952-524) that includes certain straps and a thicker lower cross beam web. The AD requires actions to be taken in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2000-06-13 R1 Amdt 39-12317. Compliance with this directive must be achieved by the specified date in the requirement document, revised to 4 October 2001. The directive itself became effective on 4 October 2001.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the holders of aircraft certificates, such as airlines or aircraft operators, to ensure the airworthiness of their Boeing 737 aircraft by adhering to the outlined requirements. This includes conducting inspections to detect any fatigue cracks in the aft cargo door frame and cross beams and making necessary modifications as specified by the FAA AD. The directive aims to rectify the unsafe condition identified, which involves potential fatigue cracks and the risk of rapid depressurisation during flight. Operators must ensure that all relevant aircraft within the specified range comply with the AD by the compliance deadline.
Failure to comply with the AD AD/B737/124 Amdt 2 may result in serious safety risks, potentially leading to severe consequences such as in-flight depressurisation, which could endanger the lives of passengers and crew. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to take enforcement actions against non-compliance, which may include imposing fines, cancelling aircraft certificates, or taking legal action against the aircraft operator. The exact penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the AD but may include significant financial penalties and potential criminal charges depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on safety.