COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/44 Fuel Tank Access Doors 9/90
Applicability: Models 737-100 and -200 with line positions 1 through 1456.
Models 737-300 with line positions 1001 through 1505, and 1508.
Requirement: For 737-100 and -200: Action in accordance with Boeing SB 28A1078 Rev 1.
For 737-300: Action in accordance with Boeing SB 28-1081 Rev 1.
Compliance: Prior to 30 October 1991.
Background: The incorporation of the Service Bulletins enables aircraft to comply with FAR 25.963(e) which provides for some fuel tank access panels to have a higher resistance to impact to reduce possibility of penetration from engine debris or objects thrown by the aircraft tyres.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, established by the Parliament of Australia, include provisions to maintain airworthiness standards for aircraft, ensuring public safety in aviation. One such regulation is the Airworthiness Directive AD/B737/44, which was introduced to address the potential risk of fuel tank access door failure in Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes. This directive aims to mitigate the risk of fuel tank penetration caused by engine debris or objects thrown by aircraft tyres, thereby enhancing the overall safety of these aircraft models. The objective is to mandate specific actions for certain models of the Boeing 737, as outlined in the Boeing Service Bulletins, to ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations, particularly FAR 25.963(e), by a specified deadline.
This legislative instrument, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, seeks to harmonise the safety standards of the Boeing 737 aeroplanes with international safety protocols, ensuring that these aircraft meet the necessary requirements to prevent hazardous situations related to fuel tank integrity. By enforcing these directives, the legislation aims to protect the travelling public and aviation personnel from potential fuel tank-related incidents.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the operation and maintenance of Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes within the Commonwealth of Australia. The legislation targets specific models and line positions of the 737-100, -200, and -300 series to ensure compliance with airworthiness directives regarding fuel tank access doors. This regulation mandates adherence to Boeing Service Bulletins 28A1078 Rev 1 for 737-100 and -200 models and Service Bulletin 28-1081 Rev 1 for 737-300 models, ensuring the aircraft meet the standards set by FAR 25.963(e) to enhance the resistance of fuel tank access panels to impact and prevent potential penetration from engine debris or objects thrown by the aircraft tyres. Compliance with these directives is required prior to 30 October 1991 for the specified models and line positions. The scope of this legislation extends to all relevant operators and maintenance entities within the Australian jurisdiction, enforcing strict safety standards to maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Part 39 - 105) outline the requirements for Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes, specifically regarding fuel tank access doors. According to the AD/B737/44 (9/90), models 737-100 and -200 with line positions 1 through 1456, as well as 737-300 with line positions 1001 through 1505 and 1508, are subject to specific action mandates. For the 737-100 and -200 models, the requirement is to adhere to Boeing Service Bulletin 28A1078 Revision 1, while the 737-300 models must comply with Boeing Service Bulletin 28-1081 Revision 1. These actions are intended to ensure the fuel tank access panels meet the necessary impact resistance standards.
The obligations imposed by these regulations on the relevant parties include ensuring that the specified actions are taken in accordance with the referenced Boeing service bulletins. For 737-100 and -200 models, compliance must be achieved before 30 October 1991. The regulations mandate that the fuel tank access doors be modified to enhance resistance to impact, thereby reducing the risk of penetration from engine debris or objects thrown by aircraft tyres. This is in line with Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 25.963(e), which provides the safety standards these modifications aim to meet.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in these regulations can lead to serious consequences. Civil and criminal penalties may be imposed for non-compliance, although the specific penalties are not detailed in the extract provided. Generally, under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can result in significant fines and potential criminal charges for those responsible, particularly if the non-compliance leads to safety incidents. The precise penalties would depend on the severity of the breach and the impact on aviation safety.