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/B737/233 Cargo Restraint Strap Assemblies 1/2005
DM
Applicability: Model 737 series aircraft, on which cargo restraint strap assemblies part number 1519-MCIDS have been installed per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01004NY.
Requirement: Revise the Limitations Section of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM), and the cargo- loading procedures of the Weight and Balance Manual (WBM), to include the following information (this may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this Directive into the AFM and the WBM):
“Discontinue the use of STC ST01004NY to install Airline Container Manufacturing Company Inc., cargo restraint straps, part number 1519-MCIDS, as the only means of securing cargo to Technical Standard Order (TSO) C90c/NAS3610 pallets. Such cargo restraint straps may continue to be used a supplemental restraints to secure cargo to TSO C90c/NAS3610 pallets, or to the cargo restraint fittings in the aircraft floor, per the aircraft manufacturer’s weight and balance manuals, and within the strap rated load (5,000 lbs).”
Note 1: If the above statement has been incorporated into the general revisions of the AFM and the WBM, the general revisions may be incorporated into the AFM and WBM, and the copy of this Directive may then be removed from the AFM and WBM.
Note 2: FAA AD 2004-22-01 Amdt 39-13829 refers.
Compliance: Within 14 days after 1 December 2004.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 1 December 2004.
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/233 (continued)
Background: The actions specified by this Directive are intended to prevent shifting or unrestrained cargo in the cargo compartment, which could cause an unexpected change in the aircraft’s centre of gravity, damage to the aircraft structure and/or flight control system, a hazard to the flightcrew, and/or possible loss of controllability of the aircraft.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 24 November 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 1 December 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive AD/B737/233 on 24 November 2004, addressing safety concerns associated with cargo restraint strap assemblies part number 1519-MCIDS installed on Model 737 series aircraft via Supplemental Type Certificate ST01004NY. The directive mandates that the Airlines Flight Manual (AFM) and the Weight and Balance Manual (WBM) be revised to incorporate specific information to prevent the unsafe condition of shifting or unrestrained cargo in the cargo compartment. This could lead to an unexpected change in the aircraft's centre of gravity, damage to the aircraft structure or flight control system, a hazard to the flight crew, and possible loss of controllability. The directive became effective on 1 December 2004, with compliance required within 14 days of that date. This AD is an example of CASA's commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards in the aviation industry by addressing specific safety issues and implementing necessary measures to mitigate identified risks.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies to Boeing 737 series aircraft equipped with cargo restraint strap assemblies part number 1519-MCIDS, which have been installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01004NY. This directive mandates specific updates to the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) and the Weight and Balance Manual (WBM), requiring the inclusion of revised limitations and cargo-loading procedures. The directive aims to mitigate risks associated with unsecured or improperly secured cargo, such as shifts in the aircraft's centre of gravity, potential structural damage, hazards to the flight crew, and loss of aircraft controllability. The changes must be implemented within 14 days of 1 December 2004, and the directive itself becomes effective on that date. The directive's jurisdictional reach is limited to the Commonwealth of Australia, as it is issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) require the revision of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) and the Weight and Balance Manual (WBM) for the Boeing 737 series aircraft equipped with cargo restraint strap assemblies part number 1519-MCIDS installed per Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01004NY. Specifically, section 2 (1) mandates that the manuals be updated to prohibit the exclusive use of STC ST01004NY for installing these cargo restraint straps as the sole means of securing cargo to Technical Standard Order (TSO) C90c/NAS3610 pallets. Instead, these straps should only be used as supplemental restraints, in accordance with the aircraft manufacturer’s weight and balance manuals and within the strap’s rated load of 5,000 lbs. This directive also allows for the incorporation of the AD into the general revisions of the AFM and WBM, with the AD itself being removable once the general revisions are in place.
The obligations imposed by this AD require operators of Boeing 737 series aircraft with the specified cargo restraint strap assemblies to update their AFM and WBM within 14 days after 1 December 2004. The directive clearly states that the cargo restraint straps in question should no longer be used exclusively to secure cargo to TSO C90c/NAS3610 pallets but can still be used as supplementary restraints. These updates are necessary to prevent potential safety hazards such as cargo shifting, unexpected changes in the aircraft’s centre of gravity, and damage to the aircraft structure or flight control system.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in serious safety consequences, as the directive aims to address potential hazards that could compromise the aircraft’s controllability and endanger the flight crew and passengers. Although the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the AD itself, non-compliance with ADs generally falls under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforcement measures, which can include fines, enforcement notices, and potentially grounding the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The severity of the penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, as well as any resultant safety incidents or accidents.