COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety 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 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/B737/219 Rudder Front Spar Flange Bolts 2/2004
Applicability: All Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series aircraft.
Requirement: Inspect in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2003-26-01 Amdt 39-13397.
For any aluminium/fibreglass rudder assembly having an identification plate indicating a graphite assembly, or for any graphite assembly having an identification plate indicating an aluminium assembly, and the alert service bulletin specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before further flight, contact the Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA; or a Boeing Designated Engineering Representative who has been authorised by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make such findings.
Note: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-55A1087 refers.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 19 February 2004.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 19 February 2004.
Background: The manufacturer advised the FAA of two reports of loose bolts common to the flange of the rudder front spar and main thrust hinge and actuator assembly, as well as auxiliary actuator support fitting, on Model 737 series aircraft. No additional damage was reported in the first case. In the second case, the holes common to the flange of the rudder front spar had become elongated. A further nine reports of loose flange bolts have been received. Such loose bolts could cause the rudder actuator to separate from the rudder during certain flight conditions, and could result in loss of rudder control and consequent loss of control of the aircraft.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 8 January 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 28 January 2004.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, amended by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, address the identified safety concerns with the Boeing 737 series aircraft, particularly focusing on the rudder front spar flange bolts. This Airworthiness Directive, issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, was introduced in response to multiple reports of loose bolts in the rudder front spar flange, which could potentially lead to a loss of rudder control and consequent loss of control of the aircraft. The AD applies to all Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series aircraft and mandates inspections and corrective actions as specified in FAA AD 2003-26-01 Amdt 39-13397 to ensure the aircraft's airworthiness. The policy objective is to enhance the safety of air travel by mitigating risks associated with potential rudder failures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of civil aviation operations. This legislative instrument applies to all aircraft operators and maintenance personnel who must adhere to the ADs to rectify identified safety issues. The AD in question pertains to the Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes, specifically addressing the rudder front spar flange bolts, and applies to all Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series aircraft. The directive mandates that inspections be conducted in accordance with the technical requirements specified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 2003-26-01 Amdt 39-13397, and for any aircraft with identified discrepancies, operators must contact the Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA, or a Boeing Designated Engineering Representative before further flight. The AD became effective on 19 February 2004, and compliance is required in adherence to the specified timeline. Any subordinate instruments or further amendments extend or refine the application of this AD within the scope of civil aviation safety in Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, establish the requirements for Airworthiness Directives (ADs). Under subregulation 39.1 (1), the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate issues an AD that mandates specific actions to address unsafe conditions identified in aircraft or aeronautical products. For instance, AD/B737/219 pertains to the Boeing 737 series aeroplanes and requires inspections and actions regarding rudder front spar flange bolts (Section 39.1 (1)). The applicability section of the AD specifies that it applies to all Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series aircraft (Section 39.1 (2)). The requirement section mandates that inspections must be conducted in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2003-26-01 Amdt 39-13397 (Section 39.1 (3)). Additionally, before further flight, operators must contact the Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA, or a Boeing Designated Engineering Representative authorised by the Manager to make necessary findings (Section 39.1 (3)). The compliance section outlines that the AD becomes effective on 19 February 2004 (Section 39.1 (4)).
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties governed by it. Primarily, operators of the specified Boeing 737 series aircraft must conduct thorough inspections of the rudder front spar flange bolts as per the specified FAA requirements. This includes verifying the condition of the bolts and ensuring that any discrepancies, such as loose bolts or elongated holes, are addressed appropriately. Operators must also contact the Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA, or a designated Boeing representative to obtain further instructions and ensure compliance with the AD (Section 39.1 (3)). The AD underscores the necessity of adhering to these procedures to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and prevent potential safety hazards.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in significant legal and safety repercussions. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can be considered an offence, potentially leading to enforcement actions by CASA. The specific penalties for breaching these regulations may include fines and other sanctions. In severe cases, non-compliance could also result in criminal charges, particularly if the failure to comply leads to an accident or incident that endangers safety. The maximum penalties for such offences are not explicitly stated in the AD but can be severe under aviation safety laws, reflecting the critical importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to maintain safety standards.