AD/B737/20 Amdt 2 - Engine Fire/Overheat Detection Module

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which deals with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes Amendment 2 (AD/B737/20) concerning Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation was enacted to address the problem of potential engine fire or overheat detection module failures in the specified Boeing 737 series aircraft, which could lead to hazardous in-flight situations. The Australian Government, through the Australian Parliament, enacted this regulation to ensure aviation safety and compliance with international standards. The policy objective is to mandate modifications to the engine fire/overheat detection modules to prevent inoperative failures, thereby ensuring continued safe flight and landing operations. This amendment specifically targets the need to inspect and modify certain engine fire/overheat detection modules to avert any risks posed by such failures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives applies to all model Boeing 737-200, -300, and -400 series aeroplanes. The directive specifies the requirement to inspect the engine fire/overheat detection module to determine its part number. If certain part numbers are installed, the control module must be modified according to the relevant Walter Kidde Aerospace Service Bulletin. This directive is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. It mandates compliance with the specified modifications prior to a defined date, in this case before 22 August 1990. The directive does not exclude any specific entities or operations but targets all aircraft of the specified series within the national jurisdiction. The application of this directive can be extended or further detailed through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes, introduces AD/B737/20 Amendment 2, focusing on engine fire/overheat detection modules. The directive applies to all model 737-200, -300, and -400 series aircraft (s.1). The primary requirement of this directive is to inspect the engine fire/overheat detection module to determine its part number (s.1.1). If the part number is 10-61096-41, -71, -81, -91, -92 or 1062061-1, 2, -3, -11, or -12, the control module must be modified according to the relevant Walter Kidde Aerospace Service Bulletin: 899315-26-326 for -200 series aeroplanes and 899315-26-324 for -300 and -400 series aeroplanes (s.1.2). The obligations imposed by this directive mandate that operators of affected Boeing 737 aircraft must conduct the specified inspections and modifications on their engine fire/overheat detection modules. This includes ensuring that any modifications are made in compliance with the Walter Kidde Aerospace Service Bulletins. The directive underscores the importance of these modifications to maintain the operational integrity of the aircraft's fire detection systems, thereby ensuring the safety of the flight crew and passengers (s.2). Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this directive may result in serious safety hazards, as the directive addresses a known issue where certain engine fire/overheat warning systems may become inoperative without any indication to the flight crew. Such a failure could potentially jeopardise the safe operation of the aircraft. While specific penalties or consequences for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, regulatory non-compliance generally results in enforcement actions which can include fines, operational restrictions, or other civil or criminal penalties as determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the broader framework of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (s.3).