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.
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/156 Fuel Tank Vent System 8/2001
Applicability: All Boeing 737-100, -200, -300, -400 and -500 series aircraft.
Requirement: Incorporate a flame arrestor and pressure relief valve in the fuel tank vent system in accordance with either:
(a) Boeing Service Bulletin 737-28-1131, Revision 2 and Boeing Information Notice 737-28-1131 IN 01, or
(b) Shaw Aero Devices, Inc. STC No. SA00859SE, dated December 14, 2000.
Note 1: FAA AD 99-03-04, Paragraph (b) refers.
Note 2: AD/B737/158 addresses the fuel system wiring provision of FAA AD 99-03- 04, Paragraph (a).
Note 3: FAA letter, Reference No. 140S-00-569, approves Shaw Aero Devices, Inc. STC No. SA00859SE, dated December 14, 2000, as an alternative means of compliance for FAA AD 99-03-04.
Note 4: Aircraft modified in accordance with previous issues of Boeing SB 737-28- 1131 satisfy the intent of this Airworthiness Directive.
Compliance: No later than 10 March 2003.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 9 August 2001.
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/156 (Continued)
Background: This Airworthiness Directive is prompted by testing results obtained during an accident investigation and by re-examination of possible causes of a similar accident. The action introduced by this Airworthiness Directive is intended to reduce the probability of external ignition of fuel vapour exiting the fuel tank vent system and the consequent propagation of the flame front into the fuel tanks.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 2 July 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 July 2001.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) addresses a critical safety issue identified in Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, AD/B737/156 mandates the incorporation of a flame arrestor and pressure relief valve in the fuel tank vent system to mitigate the risk of external ignition of fuel vapour and subsequent flame propagation into the fuel tanks. This directive applies to all Boeing 737-100, -200, -300, -400 and -500 series aircraft and requires compliance by 10 March 2003. The directive was enacted in response to test results from accident investigations and re-examinations of similar incidents, aiming to enhance the safety of these aircraft by preventing hazardous conditions that could lead to catastrophic outcomes.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) pertains to all Boeing 737-100, -200, -300, -400 and -500 series aircraft within Australia. The directive mandates the incorporation of a flame arrestor and pressure relief valve in the fuel tank vent system to mitigate the risk of external ignition of fuel vapour and subsequent flame propagation into the fuel tanks. This action is necessitated by findings from accident investigations and re-examinations of similar incidents, underscoring the importance of ensuring the safe operation of these aircraft. The directive specifies compliance by 10 March 2003 and became effective on 9 August 2001. The AD references Boeing Service Bulletin 737-28-1131, Revision 2, and Boeing Information Notice 737-28-1131 IN 01, or alternatively, Shaw Aero Devices, Inc. STC No. SA00859SE, dated December 14, 2000, as acceptable methods of compliance. Aircraft modified in line with previous issues of Boeing SB 737-28-1131 are also considered compliant with the directive's intent. The AD was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 July 2001.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 is a regulatory requirement for all Boeing 737-100, -200, -300, -400, and -500 series aircraft (section 1). The AD mandates that a flame arrestor and a pressure relief valve be incorporated into the fuel tank vent system. This action is necessary to mitigate the risk of external ignition of fuel vapor exiting the fuel tank vent system and the subsequent propagation of a flame front into the fuel tanks (section 2). The incorporation must be in accordance with either Boeing Service Bulletin 737-28-1131, Revision 2 and Boeing Information Notice 737-28-1131 IN 01, or Shaw Aero Devices, Inc. STC No. SA00859SE, dated December 14, 2000 (section 3). This directive became effective on 9 August 2001, and the compliance deadline was set for 10 March 2003 (section 4).
The AD imposes specific obligations on the aircraft operators and owners to ensure compliance with the requirements set out in the directive. Operators and owners must incorporate the specified flame arrestor and pressure relief valve into the fuel tank vent system of their Boeing 737 aircraft within the given timeframe (section 5). The directive references FAA AD 99-03-04 and FAA letter Reference No. 140S-00-569, which approve Shaw Aero Devices, Inc. STC No. SA00859SE as an alternative means of compliance. Aircraft modified in accordance with previous issues of Boeing SB 737-28-1131 are considered to satisfy the intent of this AD (section 6). Failure to comply with the AD by the compliance date may result in legal consequences.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in civil or criminal penalties. The AD does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance; however, under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with ADs can lead to enforcement actions, fines, and potential grounding of the aircraft. In addition, operators and owners may face legal liabilities if non-compliance results in accidents or incidents (section 7). The exact penalties and consequences for non-compliance will depend on the specific circumstances and the applicable laws and regulations.