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/B737/195 Elevator Balance Panel Fasteners 11/2002
Applicability: Model 737-600, -700, -700C, and -800 series aircraft, with line numbers 4, 6, 9
through 20, 22 through 29, 31 through 48, 50 through 91, 93, and 94.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2001-06-15 Amdt 39-12162.
Note: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-55A1064 Revision 1 refers.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 31 October 2002.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 31 October 2002.
Background: The FAA received a report of an elevator balance panel that was found disconnected from the horizontal stabiliser due to improper installation of fasteners during production. This Directive requires certain actions in order to prevent jamming, restricting, or binding of the elevator control surfaces.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 12 September 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 October 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses safety concerns in the aviation industry by establishing a framework for issuing Airworthiness Directives (ADs) through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The AD in question, AD/B737/195, was enacted to rectify an unsafe condition identified in Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes, namely, improper installation of fasteners on the elevator balance panel, which could lead to jamming or binding of the elevator control surfaces. This AD applies to certain models of the 737 series aircraft and mandates corrective action as per the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 2001-06-15 Amdt 39-12162. The directive aims to ensure that the unsafe condition is effectively addressed, thereby enhancing the safety and reliability of the affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically pertains to certain Boeing 737 series aircraft, including models 737-600, -700, -700C, and -800, with specific line numbers identified. The directive mandates actions to address an unsafe condition involving the elevator balance panel fasteners, which were found to be improperly installed during production, leading to potential issues such as jamming or binding of the elevator control surfaces. The directive requires compliance with the technical requirements outlined in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 2001-06-15 Amdt 39-12162, and it references Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-55A1064 Revision 1 for further guidance. The directive became effective on 31 October 2002, following its notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 October 2002. This AD applies to the specified aircraft within the Australian jurisdiction, ensuring safety standards are met through the corrective actions prescribed.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertain to the applicability, requirements, and compliance timelines for specific Boeing 737 series aircraft models. The applicability section (part 1) specifies which models are affected: Boeing 737-600, -700, -700C, and -800 series aircraft with certain line numbers. The requirement section (part 2) mandates that the action be taken in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 2001-06-15 Amdt 39-12162. This involves adhering to the specific steps and instructions detailed in the referenced FAA directive to correct the unsafe condition identified. The compliance section (part 3) sets the effective date for these actions, with a revised effective date of 31 October 2002.
The obligations imposed by this AD on the relevant parties, primarily aircraft operators and maintenance personnel, are clear and specific. They must ensure that the required actions are completed on the affected aircraft models within the specified timeline. This includes following the technical instructions set out in the FAA directive, which involves a detailed inspection and, if necessary, the replacement of elevator balance panel fasteners. Failure to adhere to these obligations could result in the aircraft not meeting the required airworthiness standards, potentially leading to safety issues.
In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the AD does not explicitly state civil or criminal penalties within the text. However, non-compliance with ADs can lead to serious ramifications under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. Operators who fail to comply with ADs may face enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which could include fines, suspension or revocation of air operator certificates, and other regulatory penalties. Additionally, pilots who operate aircraft that do not comply with ADs may be subject to disciplinary action, including the suspension or revocation of their pilot licenses. The severity of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the AD’s requirements.