Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, were introduced to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. The regulations encompass various aspects of aviation operations, including airworthiness directives which are critical for maintaining the safety standards of aircraft. One such Airworthiness Directive, AD/B737/186 issued in 2002, addresses a significant safety concern identified in Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced following an incident where an aileron tab control rod barrel was found to be broken during a repair, highlighting a manufacturing defect that could lead to severe consequences including loss of control of the aircraft. The directive mandates specific corrective actions in accordance with FAA AD 2002-10-12 Amdt 39-12758 to rectify the unsafe condition, ensuring that all applicable Boeing 737 series aircraft are maintained to the required safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, mandate Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia. This legislation applies to all Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes, including models 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500. The directive is issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and requires compliance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 2002-10-12 Amdt 39-12758, reflecting Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-27-1223 dated 21 October 1999. The directive aims to address a critical safety issue involving the aileron tab control rod barrel, which, if broken, could lead to severe consequences including airframe vibration, wing and control surface damage, and potential loss of control. The directive became effective on 8 August 2002, and its implementation is mandatory for all specified aircraft operating within the Australian jurisdiction, ensuring adherence to stringent safety standards.

Key Provisions

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies specifically to all Boeing 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series aircraft (section 1). It mandates that the corrective action must be taken in accordance with the technical requirements set out in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 2002-10-12 Amdt 39-12758 (section 2). The action must be carried out in the circumstances outlined in the requirement section and must adhere to the instructions provided within it (section 2(a) and (b)). The compliance with the AD must occur by the time specified in the compliance section, which has a revised effective date of 8 August 2002 (section 2(c)). The AD became effective on 8 August 2002. The obligations imposed on the parties governed by this AD are to ensure that the specified corrective action is taken on the aileron tab control rod barrel of the affected aircraft. This involves following the detailed technical requirements provided in FAA AD 2002-10-12 Amdt 39-12758. This includes the inspection and, if necessary, the replacement or repair of the aileron tab control rod barrel to prevent any future failures that could compromise the aircraft's safety. Compliance with the AD is mandatory, and failure to adhere to the specified requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy. The consequences of not complying with this AD can be severe. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not specify maximum penalties for non-compliance with ADs in this context, the failure to adhere to an AD can result in the aircraft being grounded and deemed unsafe to operate. This can have significant ramifications for airlines and operators, including potential loss of revenue due to aircraft being out of service, as well as severe safety implications. In addition to regulatory penalties, non-compliance could also result in civil or criminal liability for the operator if the non-compliance leads to an incident or accident.