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/B737/231 Fuselage Upper and Lower Skin Panels 12/2004
Applicability: Model 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series aircraft; as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1210 Revision 1, dated 25 October 2001, or a later FAA approved revision.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2004-18-06 Amdt 39-13784.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 25 November 2004.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 25 November 2004.
Background: Reports were received from operators of cracks along the edges of the chem-milled pockets in the upper skin at S-12 and above the S-4, S-10, and S-14 fuselage lap joints on twelve aircraft. On at least three of the aircraft, cracks were found along the same stringer in multiple adjacent bays. Operators have also reported skin cracks below stringer 14 along bonded skin doublers on twenty five aircraft. Skin cracks in multiple adjacent bays that are not found and repaired, could join and result in sudden fracture and failure of the skin panels of the fuselage, and consequent rapid decompression of the aircraft.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 14 October 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 3 November 2004.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, addresses the critical need for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products within Australia. This legislative instrument, enacted in 1998, was introduced to fill the gap in providing regulatory oversight and safety standards for civil aviation, ensuring the safety of the travelling public and the integrity of the aviation industry. The Australian Government, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), issues Airworthiness Directives (ADs) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 to enforce safety measures. In the context of the AD/B737/231 for Boeing 737 series aeroplanes, the directive was introduced to address safety concerns related to fuselage skin panel cracks, which could lead to catastrophic failure during flight. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate corrective actions to prevent the occurrence of such failures, thereby maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes Airworthiness Directive AD/B737/231 concerning Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes. This directive applies to the fuselage upper and lower skin panels of Model 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series aircraft as detailed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1210 Revision 1, dated 25 October 2001, or any subsequent revision approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The requirement for this directive mandates that operators must comply with the technical specifications outlined in FAA AD 2004-18-06 Amdt 39-13784, with a revised effective date of 25 November 2004. This directive applies nationwide within Australia and is issued under the authority of a CASA delegate to address reports of skin cracks along the edges of chem-milled pockets and below stringer 14 on certain Boeing 737 series aircraft, which pose a risk of sudden fracture and rapid decompression if not rectified.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, includes specific provisions regarding airworthiness directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These directives are essential tools for ensuring the safety of aircraft in operation, and they mandate specific actions to address identified safety issues. One such AD, identified as AD/B737/231, pertains to the fuselage upper and lower skin panels of the Boeing 737 series aircraft, specifically models 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500. This directive requires the action outlined in the FAA AD 2004-18-06 Amdt 39-13784 and mandates compliance by 25 November 2004, as specified in the requirement document (CASR 39.1).
Entities governed by this AD, primarily aircraft operators and maintenance providers, must adhere to the technical requirements set forth in the FAA AD 2004-18-06 Amdt 39-13784. This involves inspecting and repairing cracks along the edges of the chem-milled pockets in the upper skin at specific fuselage locations, such as S-12 and above the S-4, S-10, and S-14 lap joints. Operators must also inspect and address skin cracks below stringer 14 along bonded skin doublers. The directive emphasises the importance of preventing skin cracks in multiple adjacent bays from joining, as this could lead to sudden fracture, failure of the fuselage skin panels, and rapid decompression of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD can result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 impose both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. Civil penalties may include fines and administrative actions, while criminal penalties could result in substantial fines and imprisonment. The exact penalties are determined by the severity of the breach and the extent of non-compliance, with maximum penalties outlined in relevant sections of the regulations. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives is taken seriously to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety are maintained.