COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation 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 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/B737/189 Rudder Feel and Centering Unit 11/2002
DM
Applicability: Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series aircraft, line numbers 948 through
1108.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2002-16-23 Amdt 39-12862.
Note: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1259 refers.
Compliance: Within 10 days after 4 September 2002 for the initial requirement. Thereafter as specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 4 September 2002.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 4 September 2002.
Background: The FAA has received reports of low rudder pedal forces caused by a broken inner spring in the rudder feel and centring unit on some new generation Model 737 aircraft. Investigation of the broken springs revealed an incorrect process used on a specific batch of inner springs. In the event that both the inner and outer springs fail, the pedal feel and centring forces will be lost. This condition, if not corrected, could result in pilot- induced oscillation and consequent loss of control of the aircraft.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 28 August 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 4 September 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, a significant piece of Australian legislation, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. This Act provides a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation, including the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address safety concerns. One such AD, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), is AD/B737/189 concerning the rudder feel and centering unit of Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the specific safety issue of low rudder pedal forces caused by a manufacturing defect in the rudder feel and centering unit, which could potentially lead to pilot-induced oscillation and loss of control. The directive mandates corrective actions in alignment with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) requirements, ensuring the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft models.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 is specifically applicable to Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes, including the Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series, with line numbers ranging from 948 to 1108. The directive mandates corrective actions to address the unsafe condition of low rudder pedal forces caused by a broken inner spring in the rudder feel and centering unit. The requirement for compliance is aligned with the technical specifications outlined in FAA AD 2002-16-23 Amdt 39-12862, referencing Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1259. The directive became effective on 4 September 2002, with an initial compliance deadline of 10 days from that date, followed by further compliance as specified in the requirement document. This regulation extends to all relevant aircraft operating within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by CASA to ensure adherence to safety standards and mitigate the risk of pilot-induced oscillation and potential loss of control.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, establish the framework for airworthiness directives which ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products in Australian airspace. Section 39.1 (1) of these regulations empowers the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue such directives when necessary to address safety concerns. This authority is exercised through the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) which specify actions to be taken to rectify unsafe conditions. The ADs are made effective by notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, as seen in the case of AD/B737/189 issued on 4 September 2002.
The Airworthiness Directive AD/B737/189 specifically pertains to Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes, particularly models 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 within line numbers 948 through 1108. The directive mandates corrective actions to be implemented on the rudder feel and centering unit, in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2002-16-23 Amdt 39-12862. This requirement is based on findings from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that identified issues with a broken inner spring in the rudder feel and centering unit, which could potentially lead to pilot-induced oscillation and loss of control if not addressed.
Operators of the specified Boeing 737 models must comply with the AD within 10 days of its effective date, 4 September 2002, and subsequently adhere to the schedule outlined in the requirement document. Failure to comply with the AD can result in serious safety implications, including the risk of losing rudder pedal forces, which could compromise the aircraft’s control. The directive’s applicability and compliance sections are crucial for ensuring timely and proper implementation of the required actions.
Non-compliance with the AD can lead to significant consequences. Civil aviation regulations impose strict obligations on aircraft operators to ensure the airworthiness of their aircraft. If an operator fails to comply with the AD, they may face enforcement actions from CASA, which could include fines, suspension of operations, or other regulatory penalties. The seriousness of non-compliance underscores the importance of adhering to the specified requirements to maintain the highest safety standards in aviation.