COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/43
Amdt 1
Nacelle Strut Firewall Seal 7/92
Applicability: Model 737-300 series with line numbers 1001 through 1485.
Requirement: 1. For aircraft listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-54-1028; inspect in accordance with Boeing SB 737-54-1028.
2. For aircraft listed in Boeing SB 737-54-1028 Revision 1, that are not subject to Requirement 1; inspect in accordance with Boeing SB 737-54-1028 Revision 1.
Note: FAA AD 92-07-02 Amdt 39-8198 refers.
Compliance: 1. At the next planned engine removal or within 8,000 hours time in service after 6 September 1990 (the effective date of the initial issue of this Directive).
2. At the next planned engine removal or within 8,000 hours time in service after 25 June 1992, whichever occurs first.
The compliance of the previous issue of this Directive is as stated in Requirement 1, and is still current for aircraft initially affected. This Amendment is effective from 25 June 1992.
Background: This Directive was prompted by a manufacturer’s production report that firewall sealant may not have been applied to all the mating surfaces of the engines’ nacelle strut firewall door assemblies. This condition could compromise the integrity of the firewall seal.
Amendment 1 is raised to reflect a revision of the relevant FAA AD, which is prompted by information from the manufacturer which indicates that the firewall sealant apparently was not applied properly during production on additional aircraft.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to regulate the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation provides the regulatory framework for ensuring that aircraft operations, including maintenance and safety, meet the required standards. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 within the regulations establishes the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes directives like the Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes AD/B737/43 Amendment 1, focusing on the nacelle strut firewall seal. This directive was introduced to address the identified issue of improper firewall sealant application during the production of the Boeing 737-300 series aircraft, potentially compromising the integrity of the firewall seal. The policy objective behind such directives is to ensure that aircraft continue to meet airworthiness standards, thereby enhancing aviation safety.
The Boeing 737-300 series AD/B737/43 Amendment 1 was issued in response to reports that firewall sealant may not have been adequately applied to the mating surfaces of the engine nacelle strut firewall door assemblies. This directive mandates inspections according to specified Boeing service bulletins and requires compliance within a defined time frame after the directive's effective date. The aim is to ensure that any deficiencies in the firewall seal are identified and rectified, thus maintaining the structural integrity and safety of the affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertain to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes, with Amendment 1 focusing on the nacelle strut firewall seal. This legislation applies to Boeing 737-300 series aircraft with line numbers 1001 through 1485, mandating inspections according to Boeing Service Bulletin 737-54-1028 or its Revision 1, depending on the aircraft's initial compliance status. The directive emphasises the importance of ensuring the integrity of the firewall seal, particularly in light of reports that the sealant may not have been correctly applied during production. Compliance with these regulations is required either at the next planned engine removal or within 8,000 hours of time in service after specific dates, ensuring that the safety standards are maintained and any potential hazards are mitigated. The directive's scope extends across the Commonwealth, governed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with the aim of enforcing stringent safety measures for civil aviation operations within Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandate the inspection of the nacelle strut firewall seal for Boeing 737-300 series aeroplanes. This is outlined in AD/B737/43 Amendment 1. The applicable models are those with line numbers 1001 through 1485. The primary requirements (AD/B737/43(1)) for these aircraft include conducting inspections as detailed in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-54-1028 for those listed in that bulletin, and in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-54-1028 Revision 1 for those not subject to the initial requirement but listed in the revision. Compliance must be achieved by the next planned engine removal or within 8,000 hours of time in service following specified dates.
The obligations imposed by the Act on the relevant parties, including airlines and maintenance operators, are to ensure that the inspections are performed as required by the Boeing Service Bulletins. The directive mandates that compliance be achieved by the next planned engine removal or within 8,000 hours of time in service after certain dates. Specifically, compliance for the initial issue of this Directive is to be achieved by the next planned engine removal or within 8,000 hours of time in service after 6 September 1990. For the amendment, compliance must be achieved by the next planned engine removal or within 8,000 hours of time in service after 25 June 1992. The previous issue of this Directive remains current for the initially affected aircraft.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive can lead to significant consequences. While the regulations do not explicitly state civil or criminal penalties, non-compliance with CASA directives can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Such actions may include the grounding of the aircraft, fines, or other administrative penalties. The seriousness of non-compliance underscores the importance of adhering to the specified inspection and compliance timelines to maintain airworthiness and safety standards.