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 revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/197 Amdt 1 and issues the following 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/B737/197
Amdt 2
Flight Control Modules - Replacement 11/2002
TX
Applicability: All Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900
series aeroplanes.
Requirement: As detailed in the FAA AD 2002-19-51 R1.
Note: FAA AD 2002-19-51 R1 refers.
Compliance: As detailed in FAA AD 2002-19-51 R1 with a revised effective date of 20 September 2002.
This Amendment becomes effective on 23 September 2002.
Background: A batch of Flight Control Modules (FCM) are found to cause blockage of hydraulic fluid resulting in reduced controllability of aeroplanes. This amendment specifies a terminating action for additional inspection/check requirements when the suspect batch of FCMs are installed.
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 18 September 2002.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 17 September 2002.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 20 September 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 23 September 2002.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, address the need for stringent safety standards in the aviation sector, particularly focusing on the maintenance and operation of aircraft. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the primary regulatory body responsible for the enforcement of these regulations. One notable enactment under these regulations is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/197 Amdt 2, which specifically targets Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the safety issue related to Flight Control Modules (FCM) that were found to cause blockage of hydraulic fluid, thereby reducing the controllability of the aeroplanes. The AD mandates the replacement of these modules to rectify the unsafe condition, ensuring the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft models. The policy objective underpinning this directive is to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation, thereby protecting both passengers and crew.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/B737/197 Amdt 2 pertains to all Boeing 737 series aeroplanes, including models 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900. This directive, issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically addresses the replacement of Flight Control Modules (FCM) to rectify an unsafe condition identified in a batch of FCMs causing blockage of hydraulic fluid and consequently reducing the controllability of the aeroplanes. The directive mandates the actions specified in FAA AD 2002-19-51 R1, with a compliance timeline set forth in the same FAA directive but with an effective date adjusted to 20 September 2002. The directive becomes effective on 23 September 2002 and was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on the same day. This directive applies nationally and is applicable to all relevant aircraft within Australia, encompassing both commercial and private operators of Boeing 737 series aeroplanes.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) that mandates specific actions for certain Boeing 737 series aeroplanes (s 1). The AD in question, AD/B737/197 Amdt 2, concerns the replacement of Flight Control Modules (FCM) due to issues with hydraulic fluid blockage that could reduce the controllability of these aircraft. The AD applies to all Boeing 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, -500, -600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series aeroplanes (s 1). The requirement is to replace the FCMs as detailed in FAA AD 2002-19-51 R1, with specific instructions and a compliance deadline mentioned in the directive (s 1). This AD became effective on 23 September 2002.
The AD imposes several obligations on the operators of Boeing 737 series aeroplanes, including the necessity to replace the specified FCMs to ensure compliance with safety standards. Operators must adhere to the instructions provided in FAA AD 2002-19-51 R1 and complete the required actions within the specified timeframe. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft not meeting airworthiness standards, potentially leading to operational restrictions or grounding of the aircraft until the directive is complied with.
Failure to comply with the AD could result in significant consequences. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives is an offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which may lead to civil penalties or criminal charges. The maximum penalties for such offences can include substantial fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity and circumstances of the breach. Additionally, the aircraft may be deemed unairworthy, which could result in operational restrictions or grounding until compliance is achieved.