COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/21 Generator Control Unit (GCU) Filter Modules 7/89
Applicability: All model 737 series aircraft.
Requirement: Replace OR modify the GCU filter modules in accordance with Westinghouse SB 87- 101 OR 87-102.
Note: FAA AD 89-07-13 refers.
Compliance: Prior to 13 December 1990.
Background: Advice has been received that GCU filter failures have occurred which have resulted in smoke in the cockpit. This condition if not corrected could lead to additional GCU failures producing smoke in the cockpit and partial loss of electrical power.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, include Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft in Australian airspace. One such directive, AD/B737/21, pertains to Boeing 737 series aeroplanes, addressing the critical issue of Generator Control Unit (GCU) filter module failures which have been reported to cause smoke in the cockpit. This problem, if unaddressed, could escalate to additional GCU failures, leading to a partial loss of electrical power, thereby posing significant safety risks. The directive was enacted to mandate the replacement or modification of the GCU filter modules in accordance with Westinghouse Service Bulletins 87-101 or 87-102, with a compliance deadline set prior to 13 December 1990. The policy objective is to mitigate these safety risks by ensuring timely and appropriate modifications to the aircraft, thereby maintaining the high standards of aviation safety as overseen by CASA.
The directive is a legislative instrument issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, reflecting the Commonwealth's commitment to stringent safety regulations in civil aviation. It aims to bridge the safety gap identified by reported incidents of GCU filter failures and their potential to compromise cockpit safety and aircraft electrical systems. This proactive measure aligns with the overarching policy objective of safeguarding passengers, crew, and the general public by ensuring that all aircraft operating in Australia adhere to the highest safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Boeing 737 series aeroplanes. This regulation mandates that the Generator Control Unit (GCU) filter modules be replaced or modified in accordance with Westinghouse Service Bulletins 87-101 or 87-102, with compliance required prior to 13 December 1990. This directive stems from incidents where GCU filter failures have led to smoke in the cockpit, potentially causing further GCU failures and partial loss of electrical power. The applicability of this regulation extends to all entities operating Boeing 737 series aircraft within Australia and its territories, enforcing stringent safety standards across the aviation industry. The regulation does not explicitly outline exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, thereby applying uniformly to all relevant aircraft and operators within the specified timeframe.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, outlines an Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertaining to Boeing 737 series aeroplanes. This AD, known as AD/B737/21, focuses on the Generator Control Unit (GCU) filter modules. According to section 39.105, the directive applies to all model 737 series aircraft and mandates the replacement or modification of GCU filter modules in accordance with Westinghouse Service Bulletins (SB) 87-101 or 87-102. It is important to note that this AD aligns with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 89-07-13. The compliance deadline for these modifications is before 13 December 1990.
The main obligations imposed by this AD require aircraft operators to ensure that the GCU filter modules are either replaced or modified as specified by the Westinghouse SBs. This requirement is crucial to prevent the occurrence of GCU filter failures, which have previously led to smoke in the cockpit. If left unaddressed, these failures could result in further GCU failures, creating hazardous conditions and potentially causing a partial loss of electrical power. The AD thus necessitates timely action to maintain the safety and airworthiness of Boeing 737 series aircraft.
Failing to comply with the requirements set forth in AD/B737/21 could result in serious safety risks. The potential consequences of non-compliance include not only the immediate danger of smoke in the cockpit but also the risk of additional GCU failures, which could lead to partial loss of electrical power. Such failures could compromise the safe operation of the aircraft, thereby risking passenger safety and potentially leading to severe civil or criminal liabilities for the operators.
Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, violations of the AD may result in civil or criminal penalties. While the specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument provided, the general framework of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations could impose fines, suspension of aviation certificates, or other enforcement actions. The seriousness of the potential hazards—such as smoke in the cockpit and partial electrical power loss—underscores the importance of strict compliance with the AD to avoid these consequences.