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/B737/169 Aft Pressure Bulkhead BS 1016 and Vertical Fin
Forward Attachment Body Section 48
12/2001
Applicability: Model 737-600, -700, and -800 aircraft, with line numbers 1 through 405, and line
numbers 466, 585, 590, and 793.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA Emergency AD 2001- 21-51.
If any damage is found during the inspection required by this Directive, before further flight, perform a detailed visual inspection of the vertical beam web installation for damage, in accordance with Boeing Telegraphic Service Bulletin 737-53A1238. If damage is found, before further flight, repair all damage per data meeting the type certification basis of the aircraft approved by a Boeing Company Designated Engineering Representative (DER), who has been authorised by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), to make such findings.
Note: Boeing Telegraphic Service Bulletin 737-53A1238, dated 11 October 2001, refers.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 29 November 2001.
Background: The FAA received a report of an operator finding damage to the web of the aft pressure bulkhead at body station (BS) 1016 on a Model 737-700 series aircraft. During replacement of the damaged web sections of the bulkhead, additional damage to the vertical shear beam web and to the skin adjacent to the attachment fittings of the vertical fin at BS 1016 was found. A shimmy event of the main landing gear (MLG) on that aircraft was also reported, and was so severe that it damaged the MLG and resulted in replacement of the right MLG. Subsequent similar reports of damage were received from other operators.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AD/B737/169 (Continued)
Such damage at BS 1016, if not found and corrected, could result in structural failure of the aft pressure bulkhead and consequent uncontrolled decompression, or loss of structural integrity of the forward support of the vertical fin, loss of the vertical fin, and consequent loss of control of the aircraft.
Neville Probert
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 18 October 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 7 November 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) is a comprehensive set of rules governing civil aviation in Australia, enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel. One of the specific provisions within these regulations is Part 39, which addresses Airworthiness Directives (ADs). The ADs are directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure that specific aircraft, engines, or propellers are maintained in an airworthy condition. AD/B737/169, introduced in 2001, pertains specifically to Boeing 737 series aeroplanes, addressing a critical safety concern identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The directive was issued to rectify an unsafe condition related to potential structural damage in certain Boeing 737-600, -700, and -800 aircraft, which could lead to catastrophic failures such as uncontrolled decompression or loss of control of the aircraft. The policy objective behind this AD is to mandate specific inspection and repair actions to mitigate these risks, ensuring that the affected aircraft remain safe for operation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as detailed in Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies specifically to Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes, namely the Model 737-600, -700, and -800 aircraft within specified line numbers. This regulation requires that certain actions be taken to address a reported issue of structural damage to the aft pressure bulkhead and the vertical fin of these aircraft, which could lead to severe safety hazards such as uncontrolled decompression or loss of control. The directive mandates inspections and repairs in accordance with the technical requirements outlined by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2001-21-51, ensuring that any damage found must be repaired by an authorised Boeing Company Designated Engineering Representative. This directive applies nationally across Australia and became effective on 29 November 2001, as published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 7 November 2001.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, includes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD) that govern the safety standards for aircraft, such as Boeing 737 series aeroplanes. In this instance, AD/B737/169 mandates specific actions to address potential safety issues identified with the aft pressure bulkhead and vertical fin attachment on certain Boeing 737 models (sections 1-4). The directive applies to Model 737-600, -700, and -800 aircraft with specific line numbers (section 5). The actions required include performing inspections and repairs in accordance with FAA Emergency AD 2001-21-51 and Boeing Telegraphic Service Bulletin 737-53A1238 (section 6). This directive became effective on 29 November 2001 (section 10).
The AD imposes specific obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to ensure that inspections are conducted and any identified damage is repaired in line with the directive’s technical requirements. Operators must perform a detailed visual inspection of the vertical beam web installation for damage, and if any damage is found, it must be repaired by a Boeing Company Designated Engineering Representative (DER) authorised by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) (section 7). This ensures that the repairs meet the type certification basis of the aircraft and maintain its airworthiness (section 7).
Failure to comply with the AD/B737/169 could result in serious safety risks, including structural failure of the aft pressure bulkhead, uncontrolled decompression, loss of the vertical fin, and consequent loss of control of the aircraft (section 8). Although the regulations do not specify explicit penalties, non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), potentially resulting in fines or other regulatory sanctions. The overarching aim is to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the public.