COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/23
Amdt 3
Forward Service Doorway Aft Frame 1/99
Applicability: Model 737 series aircraft, as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53A1108, Revision 5, dated October 26, 1989.
Requirement: Perform visual inspection in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 98-22-10 Amdt 39-10858.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement Document with a revised effective date of 28 January 1999.
This Amendment becomes effective on 28 January 1999.
Background: Four operators reported cracks on eleven aircraft with 19,200 to 51,300 flight cycles. Two adjacent cracked door stops could result in door deflection with possible major structural damage and loss of pressurisation. Amendment 1 clarified terminating action for the inspections. Amendment 2 reduced the inspection threshold to be consistent with the cracking history.
Amendment 3 is issued in response to a new FAA AD prompted by reports that repetitive inspections required by the existing FAA AD may not detect cracking of the aft frame and aft frame support structure of the forward service doorway in a timely manner. The initial inspection and repetitive inspection intervals are reduced, certain repetitive inspections are added, and provision is made for optional terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements.
Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 28 December 1989.
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 2 November 1989.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 10 August 1989.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, provide a comprehensive framework for regulating civil aviation activities within Australia. Within this framework, Part 39 - 105 focuses specifically on civil aviation safety, establishing directives to ensure the continued airworthiness of aircraft. The Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes AD/B737/23 Amendment 3, which became effective on 28 January 1999, was introduced to address issues of structural integrity related to the forward service doorway aft frame of Boeing 737 series aircraft. This legislative instrument responds to reports of cracks in the doorway area, which could potentially lead to significant structural damage and loss of cabin pressurisation. The amendment aims to ensure that visual inspections are conducted more frequently and effectively to detect and address such issues promptly, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the Boeing 737 series aeroplanes as detailed in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53A1108, Revision 5, dated October 26, 1989. This regulation mandates a visual inspection of the forward service doorway aft frame in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 98-22-10 Amdt 39-10858, with compliance required as specified in the Requirement Document, effective from 28 January 1999. The regulation applies to all entities operating model 737 series aircraft and is applicable nationwide across Australia, ensuring uniform safety standards are adhered to within the Commonwealth. There are no exclusions or exemptions noted within this directive; all specified aircraft must comply with the stipulated inspection intervals to mitigate risks of structural damage and loss of pressurisation. The application and enforcement of these safety directives may be further detailed in subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, detail specific airworthiness directives for Boeing 737 series aeroplanes, including AD/B737/23 Amdt 3, which addresses issues with the forward service doorway aft frame. This particular directive applies to Model 737 series aircraft listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53A1108, Revision 5, dated October 26, 1989 (Section 1). The directive mandates a visual inspection in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 98-22-10 Amdt 39-10858 (Section 1). Compliance with this directive is to be achieved as specified in the Requirement Document, with the directive taking effect from 28 January 1999 (Section 1).
Operators of Boeing 737 series aircraft must ensure that the visual inspections are conducted as required. The inspections are to be performed to identify any potential cracks in the aft frame and support structure of the forward service doorway. This directive is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the aircraft, as two adjacent cracked door stops could lead to door deflection, which might result in major structural damage and loss of pressurisation. To address these risks, the directive outlines specific actions to be taken, including the frequency and nature of inspections and the criteria for terminating the inspection requirements if certain conditions are met (Section 1).
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in significant safety risks and potential legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose strict obligations on aircraft operators to adhere to these directives. Non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which may include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory penalties. Additionally, failure to address the specified structural issues could result in severe consequences during flight, such as aircraft malfunction or catastrophic failure, which could endanger passengers and crew (Section 1).
Under these regulations, any breach of the airworthiness directives can be subject to penalties. The specific consequences for non-compliance are detailed within the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and related regulations. Penalties may include substantial fines, with the exact amount depending on the severity and nature of the breach. In more serious cases, CASA may impose administrative penalties, suspend or revoke an operator’s licence, or take legal action that could lead to criminal charges. The potential penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the airworthiness directives to ensure the safety and reliability of the aircraft in operation (Section 1).