COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
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 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.
AD/B737/144 Taxi Light Assembly 7/2000 DM
Applicability: Model 737-100, -200, -300, -400 and -500 series aeroplanes that are not equipped with a Grimes Aerospace taxi light assembly having Part Number (P/N) 50-0199-9, 50-0199-11, 50-0128-1A, 50-0128-1MA, 50-0128-3A or 50-0128-3MA.
Requirement: 1. Perform a detailed visual inspection to detect damage (including cracking, corrosion, deformation, or evidence of impact) of the taxi light assembly mounted on the nose landing gear of the aeroplane.
Note 1: For the purposes of this Directive, a detailed visual inspection is defined as an intensive visual inspection of a specific structural area, system, installation or assembly to detect damage, failure or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector (i.e., the person performing the inspection).
Inspection aids such as mirrors, magnifying glasses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be necessary.
2. If any damage of the taxi light assembly is detected during the inspection performed in accordance with Requirement 1 of this Directive, replace the existing taxi light assembly with a new or serviceable taxi light assembly in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual. If the existing taxi light assembly is replaced with a Grimes Aerospace taxi light assembly having P/N 50-0199-9, 50- 0199-11, 50-0128-1A, 50-0128-1MA, 50-0128-3A or 50-0128-3MA; no further action is required by this Directive.
3. Replace the existing taxi light assembly with a Grimes Aerospace taxi light assembly having P/N 50-0199-9, 50-0199-11, 50-0128-1A, 50-0128-1MA, 50- 0128-3A or 50-0128-3MA; in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual. Such replacement constitutes terminating action for the Requirement 1 repetitive inspections.
Note 2: FAA AD 2000-08-17 Amdt 39-11703 refers.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Within 60 days after the effective date of this Directive and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1 day, until Requirement 3 is accomplished.
For Requirement 2 - Before further flight.
For Requirement 3 - Within 2 years after the effective date of this Directive. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 31 May 2000.
Background: The Federal Aviation Administration received a report that a damaged taxi light detached from an aeroplane and was ingested into the aeroplane engines. This Directive introduces actions to prevent damage to the taxi light assembly, which could result in detachment of the taxi light assembly from the aeroplane, ingestion of taxi light debris into an engine, and consequent loss of thrust from one or both engines.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 17 May 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 May 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives that governs the maintenance and safety standards for aircraft. One such directive, AD/B737/144, was enacted in 2000 to address a safety concern related to the taxi light assembly on Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes. This Airworthiness Directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority granted by subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The directive aims to ensure the safety of flight operations by mandating regular inspections and, if necessary, the replacement of taxi light assemblies on specified Boeing 737 models, thereby mitigating the risk of taxi light detachment and subsequent ingestion into the engines, which could lead to significant engine damage and loss of thrust.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, applies to certain Boeing 737 series aeroplanes, specifically models 737-100, -200, -300, -400, and -500, excluding those equipped with a Grimes Aerospace taxi light assembly having specific part numbers. This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address an unsafe condition identified with the taxi light assembly. The directive mandates a detailed visual inspection of the taxi light assembly mounted on the nose landing gear to detect any damage, such as cracking, corrosion, deformation, or evidence of impact. If damage is found, the existing taxi light assembly must be replaced with a new or serviceable one, unless it is replaced with a Grimes Aerospace taxi light assembly having the specified part numbers, in which case no further action is required by this directive. If the specified Grimes Aerospace taxi light assembly is installed, it constitutes the terminating action for the repetitive inspections. The directive must be complied with within specific timelines: inspections must occur within 60 days of the directive's effective date and thereafter at intervals not exceeding one day until the replacement is accomplished, any damage detected must be rectified before further flight, and the replacement of the taxi light assembly must be completed within two years from the effective date.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, outline an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes. The AD, titled AD/B737/144, is focused on the Taxi Light Assembly of the aircraft, and it applies to Boeing 737-100, -200, -300, -400, and -500 series aeroplanes not equipped with a Grimes Aerospace taxi light assembly with specified part numbers. The directive mandates a detailed visual inspection of the taxi light assembly to identify any damage, such as cracking, corrosion, deformation, or evidence of impact. This inspection should be performed within 60 days of the directive's effective date and subsequently at intervals not exceeding one day until the corrective action is taken. If damage is found during the inspection, the taxi light assembly must be replaced before the aircraft can take further flight. If the replacement is with a Grimes Aerospace taxi light assembly having specific part numbers, no further action is required under this directive. Otherwise, the assembly should be replaced within two years of the directive's effective date, which is 31 May 2000.
The obligations imposed by this Airworthiness Directive include conducting a detailed visual inspection of the taxi light assembly as specified. This entails an intensive inspection process that may involve additional lighting, inspection aids such as mirrors and magnifying glasses, and may require surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures to ensure that any damage is detected. If damage is identified, the next step is to replace the taxi light assembly with a new or serviceable one, adhering to the applicable maintenance manual. For specific Grimes Aerospace taxi light assemblies with designated part numbers, the replacement serves as the terminating action for the initial inspection requirement. This directive underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of the taxi light assembly to prevent potential detachment and ingestion of debris into the aircraft engines, which could result in a loss of thrust.
Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive can lead to significant consequences. Non-compliance with the inspection and replacement requirements can result in the aircraft being deemed unsafe for operation. From a regulatory standpoint, this could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Potential civil penalties for non-compliance may include fines and the requirement to rectify the non-compliance within a specified timeframe. Additionally, failure to adhere to the AD could have severe safety implications, potentially leading to incidents where the taxi light assembly detaches and causes damage to the aircraft engines, resulting in flight safety risks.