COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/172 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 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/B737/172
Amdt 1
Speedbrake Operation Limitation 13/2003
Applicability: All Model 737-800 series aircraft.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA Emergency AD 2001- 12-51.
Note 1: A revision of the Limitations Section of the Aircraft Flight Manual is required by this Directive.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document with a revised effective date of 21 February 2002; unless already accomplished. Compliance with AD/B737/210 (FAA AD 2003-03-22) constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this Directive.
The compliance time remains unchanged by this issue. This Amendment becomes effective on 25 December 2003.
Background: The FAA received a report of severe vibration of the horizontal stabiliser on a Model 737-800 aircraft. Results of post-event analysis and investigation indicate that the type of vibration of the elevator and elevator tab assembly following deployment of the speedbrakes, if not corrected, could result in severe damage to the horizontal stabiliser, followed by loss of controllability of the aircraft.
Amendment 1 is issued to introduce terminating action for the requirements of this Directive.
The original issue of the Airworthiness Directive became effective on 21 February 2002.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 13 November 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 3 December 2003.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation through the regulation of airworthiness directives. These regulations, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as the body responsible for issuing and revoking airworthiness directives, ensuring that aircraft meet safety standards. The introduction of these regulations addresses the need for consistent and enforceable standards to prevent unsafe conditions in civil aviation. This Airworthiness Directive AD/B737/172, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, targets a specific safety issue with Boeing 737-800 series aircraft to mitigate the risk of severe vibration in the horizontal stabiliser, which could lead to loss of controllability if unaddressed.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, govern the airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislation applies specifically to all operators of Boeing 737-800 series aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring compliance with airworthiness standards necessary to maintain safety. The scope of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) is to address an identified unsafe condition concerning severe vibration of the horizontal stabiliser on Boeing 737-800 aircraft post-speedbrake deployment. To correct this issue, operators are required to follow the technical requirements outlined in FAA Emergency AD 2001-12-51, which includes revising the Limitations Section of the Aircraft Flight Manual. Compliance with this AD is mandatory and must be achieved by the specified date, with the directive becoming effective from 25 December 2003. Additionally, compliance with AD/B737/210 (FAA AD 2003-03-22) serves as terminating action for the requirements of this Directive. This regulatory approach ensures that all affected aircraft meet stringent safety standards to prevent potential loss of controllability.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/172 Amendment 1 pertains specifically to all Model 737-800 series aircraft, as outlined in section 1 of the legislation. This AD mandates action to be taken in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA Emergency AD 2001-12-51, which is detailed in section 2. This action includes revising the Limitations Section of the Aircraft Flight Manual, as noted in the requirement section. The compliance requirements for this AD are specified in section 3, with a revised effective date of 21 February 2002 unless the action has already been taken. The amendment becomes effective on 25 December 2003, and compliance with AD/B737/210 (FAA AD 2003-03-22) is considered as terminating action for the requirements of this Directive.
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties governed by it. Primarily, it requires aircraft operators of Model 737-800 series to adhere to the specified technical requirements, including the revision of their Aircraft Flight Manual's Limitations Section. This revision is intended to address and prevent severe vibrations of the horizontal stabiliser that can lead to severe damage and loss of control. The directive also necessitates that these actions are taken in accordance with the instructions provided in FAA Emergency AD 2001-12-51 and within the compliance timeframes specified in the legislation. Failure to comply with these directives can have significant safety implications.
Breaching the provisions of this AD may result in serious consequences. While specific penalties are not explicitly stated in the provided text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally carries severe civil and criminal penalties under Australian law. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce these directives, and non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions, including fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges against individuals or companies responsible for the non-compliance. The severity of these penalties underscores the critical importance of adhering to the AD to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.