AD/B737/34 - Forward Left Entry Door Fuselage Aft Frame Bottom Door Stop Fitting Bolts

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Civil Aviation Amendment (Airworthiness) Regulations 2006, include Part 39 - 105 which pertains to airworthiness directives. Specifically, AD/B737/34 addresses the forward left entry door fuselage aft frame bottom door stop fitting bolts for Boeing 737-300 and -400 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address a potential safety issue where attachment bolts may have been omitted during the manufacture of certain aircraft models, specifically those with line numbers 1770 to 1783, 1785, 1787 to 1789. The policy objective is to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating inspections and corrective actions in accordance with FAA Telegraphic AD T89-23-52, to be completed within 20 flights following 28 December 1989. The regulation was enacted by the Australian Government and is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This legislative instrument, F2006B02935, amends the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 to ensure that all applicable Boeing 737-300 and -400 aeroplanes meet specific safety standards. The directive was introduced to mitigate the risk associated with missing attachment bolts, which could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft. Compliance with this directive is mandatory to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft, reflecting the overarching goal of the Civil Aviation Regulations to protect the public and ensure safe aviation practices.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes, particularly models 737-300 and -400 with line numbers 1770 to 1783, 1785, 1787 to 1789. These regulations mandate compliance with Airworthiness Directives issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as referenced in FAA Telegraphic AD T89-23-52. The requirement entails performing an inspection to address potential issues with the forward left entry door fuselage aft frame bottom door stop fitting bolts. This inspection must be completed within 20 flights following 28 December 1989, unless the inspection has already been carried out. The regulation's purpose is to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the specified Boeing 737 models by addressing manufacturing defects that could compromise the integrity of the aircraft structure. This directive extends to all relevant aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which enforces compliance with the specified airworthiness standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives for various aircraft models, with AD/B737/34 being one such directive for Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes. This directive pertains to the forward left entry door fuselage aft frame bottom door stop fitting bolts. The applicability of this directive is confined to Boeing 737-300 and -400 models with line numbers 1770 to 1783, 1785, 1787 to 1789 (section 105.10(1)). The directive mandates actions in accordance with the FAA Telegraphic AD T89-23-52 inspection requirements (section 105.10(2)). The requirement necessitates compliance with these inspection criteria unless it has already been completed (section 105.10(3)). Compliance must be achieved within 20 flights after 28 December 1989 (section 105.10(4)). The Act imposes several obligations on the parties and entities it governs. Primarily, it requires that the specified actions as per the FAA Telegraphic AD T89-23-52 be undertaken to ensure that the forward left entry door fuselage aft frame bottom door stop fitting bolts are correctly installed. This includes ensuring that any attachments or bolts that may have been omitted during the manufacturing process are either installed or verified as not needed. The directive explicitly mandates that these inspections and actions be completed within the specified timeframe of 20 flights post 28 December 1989 (section 105.10(5)). This requirement applies to all relevant aircraft within the stated model and line number range, ensuring uniformity and safety across the governed fleet. Failure to comply with the provisions of this airworthiness directive can result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly detail the specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance with this directive within the provided text. However, general regulatory frameworks often include penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives, which can range from fines to more severe sanctions, including grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The seriousness of the potential consequences underscores the importance of adhering to these regulations to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft (section 105.10(6)).