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 CASR 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/B737/215 Hydraulic Accumulator End Cap Separation 9/2003
Applicability: Boeing 737-100, -200 and -200C series aeroplanes, L/N 1 to 1033 inclusive with hydraulic accumulators installed as referenced in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletins (BSASB) referred to in the Requirements of this Directive.
Requirement: Hydraulic Accumulators in Landing Gear Brake System:
- Inspect, in accordance with BSASB 737-32-1334 Revision 1, dated 1 March 2001, the hydraulic accumulators in the landing gear brake system to determine if the part number (P/N) is BACA11E2 (vendor P/N 2660472-2 or 2660472M2).
2. If any hydraulic accumulator is determined to be P/N BACA11E2 (vendor P/N 2660472-2 or 2660472M2), in compliance with Requirement 1, replace the subject hydraulic accumulator with a new or modified accumulator in accordance with BSASB 737-32-1334 Revision 1, dated 1 March 2001.
Note 1: BSASB 737-32-1334 Revision 1, refers to Parker Service Bulletin 2660472- 29-63, dated 12 December 2000, as the appropriate source of service information for modification of the hydraulic accumulators that are subject to replacement per BSASB 737-32-1334 Revision 1.
Hydraulic Accumulators in the Thrust Reverser Actuation Systems:
3. Inspect, in accordance with BSASB 737-78-1068 Revision 1, dated 1 March 2001, the hydraulic accumulators in the thrust reverser actuation systems to determine if the P/N is BACA11E2 (vendor P/N 2660472-2 or 2660472M2).
4. If any hydraulic accumulator is determined to be P/N BACA11E2 (vendor P/N 2660472-2 or 2660472M2), in compliance with Requirement 3, replace the subject hydraulic accumulator with a new or modified accumulator in accordance with BSASB 737-78-1068 Revision 1, dated 1 March 2001.
Note 2: BSASB 737-78-1068 Revision 1, refers to Parker Service Bulletin 2660472- 29-63, dated 12 December 2000, as the appropriate source of service information for modification of the hydraulic accumulators that are subject to replacement per Service Bulletin 737-78-1068 Revision 1.
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/215 (continued)
Hydraulic Accumulators not to be installed:
5. Hydraulic accumulators with P/N’s referred to in Requirements 2 and 4 may not be installed on any aircraft as a replacement part.
Alternative Means of Compliance:
Inspections and replacements accomplished before the effective date of this Directive per BSASB 737-32-1334, dated 11 May 2000, are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions required by Requirements 1 and 2.
Inspections and replacements accomplished before the effective date of this Directive per BSASB 737-78-1068, dated 8 June 2000, are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action required by Requirements 3 and 4.
Note 3: FAA AD 2003-11-03 Amdt 39-13162 refers.
Compliance: For Requirements 1, 2, 3 and 4: Within 18 months or prior to exceeding 6,000 flight hours from the effective date of this Directive, whichever occurs sooner.
For Requirement 5: From the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 4 September 2003.
Background: This Directive requires one-time inspections to determine the part numbers of hydraulic accumulators installed in various areas of the aeroplane and follow-on corrective actions as necessary. These actions are intended to prevent high-velocity separation of a barrel, piston or end cap from a hydraulic accumulator. Such separation could result in injury to personnel, loss of cabin pressurisation, loss of affected hydraulic systems or damage to plumbing, electrical installations or structural members.
Jim Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 25 July 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 13 August 2003.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) addresses safety concerns regarding the potential for high-velocity separation of components from hydraulic accumulators in Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes, specifically models 737-100, -200, and -200C within a specified serial number range. This AD was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, Jim Coyne, on 25 July 2003, and it became effective on 4 September 2003. The directive mandates inspections and necessary replacements of hydraulic accumulators to mitigate risks associated with separation incidents, which could lead to serious consequences such as personnel injury, loss of cabin pressurisation, hydraulic system failure, or structural damage. Compliance with the directive requires inspections and actions to be completed within 18 months from the effective date or before the aircraft exceeds 6,000 flight hours, whichever comes first.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Boeing 737-100, -200, and -200C series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers and installed hydraulic accumulators as referenced in the relevant Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletins. The directive mandates certain inspections and corrective actions to mitigate risks associated with hydraulic accumulators, such as high-velocity separation of components, which could lead to serious safety issues. The AD applies to these aircraft irrespective of the operator, whether they be commercial airlines, private operators, or other entities, and is enforced across the entire Commonwealth of Australia. The directive sets out specific requirements for inspecting and, if necessary, replacing hydraulic accumulators in the landing gear brake system and the thrust reverser actuation systems, with particular attention to accumulators bearing specific part numbers. The directive also prohibits the installation of certain hydraulic accumulators as replacement parts. Compliance with the AD must be achieved within 18 months or prior to the aircraft exceeding 6,000 flight hours from the effective date, whichever comes first, and certain actions must be completed immediately upon the directive's effective date. This AD extends its application through the referenced service bulletins and other subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) mandates specific actions to address safety concerns with hydraulic accumulators in Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes. Under section 1 of the AD, inspections must be conducted to determine whether certain hydraulic accumulators in the landing gear brake system and thrust reverser actuation systems have a specific part number (BACA11E2 or vendor P/N 2660472-2 or 2660472M2). If these part numbers are found, the accumulators must be replaced with a new or modified accumulator as specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletins (BSASB) 737-32-1334 Revision 1 and 737-78-1068 Revision 1, both dated 1 March 2001. The directive also prohibits the installation of these particular hydraulic accumulators as replacement parts.
The AD imposes obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to ensure compliance with the inspection and replacement requirements. Operators and maintenance personnel must conduct thorough inspections of the hydraulic accumulators in the specified systems and follow the replacement procedures outlined in the referenced service bulletins. Operators must also ensure that hydraulic accumulators with the specified part numbers are not installed as replacements. These inspections and replacements must be completed within 18 months from the effective date of the directive or before the aircraft exceeds 6,000 flight hours, whichever comes first, for the landing gear brake system accumulators, and immediately for the thrust reverser actuation system accumulators.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in serious safety risks, including potential injury to personnel, loss of cabin pressurisation, loss of affected hydraulic systems, or damage to plumbing, electrical installations, or structural members. Although the AD itself does not specify penalties, non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, including fines and other legal consequences. Operators and maintenance personnel must ensure strict adherence to the AD to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensure safety.