AD/B737/5 - Wing-To-Body Drag Angle

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, are designed to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. One pertinent legislative instrument under this act is F2006B02949, which pertains to the Boeing 737 series aeroplanes. This particular instrument was introduced to address the problem of cracking in the wing-to-body drag angles of the specified aircraft models, which had been reported to potentially lead to structural failure and rapid decompression if not rectified. The policy objective is to ensure that all applicable aircraft meet the required safety standards, thus protecting the safety of passengers and crew. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has mandated compliance with FAA AD 85-03-06, Amendment 39-4998, and Boeing SB 737-53-1031 Revision 3 to mitigate these risks.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Boeing 737 series aeroplanes, from Line Numbers 1 to 316, mandating compliance with certain airworthiness directives. The regulation focuses on ensuring the structural integrity of the wing-to-body drag angles to prevent issues such as progressive cracking and rapid decompression, which have been documented in various reports. The regulation incorporates FAA AD 85-03-06, Amendment 39-4998, up to and including Section C, as well as Boeing SB 737-53-1031 Revision 3, requiring adherence to the detailed compliance instructions provided in Requirement Document No 1. The scope of this legislation is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia, and it does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, ensuring a uniform standard of safety and maintenance for all applicable aircraft. The application of these directives can be further extended or specified through subordinate instruments, thereby providing a comprehensive framework for addressing potential safety issues in the operation of Boeing 737 series aeroplanes.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically address the Airworthiness Directives for Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes, including AD/B737/5 concerning the Wing-to-Body Drag Angle (paragraph 1). This directive applies to all model 737 aircraft with Line Numbers ranging from 1 to 316 (paragraph 2). The main requirements of the directive are to comply with FAA AD 85-03-06, Amendment 39-4998, up to and including Section C, and Boeing SB 737-53-1031 Revision 3 (paragraph 3). These requirements are intended to address reports of cracking in the wing-to-body drag angles, which if not corrected, could result in progressive structural damage and rapid decompression (paragraph 4). The obligations imposed by this directive are significant for the entities it governs. Operators and owners of Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes must ensure that their aircraft meet the specified requirements detailed in the directive (paragraph 5). This involves adhering to the FAA AD and Boeing SB documents, which outline specific compliance steps, including inspections, repairs, and replacements as necessary (paragraph 6). Operators must also maintain detailed records of any inspections, repairs, or modifications carried out in accordance with these directives to demonstrate compliance (paragraph 7). Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/B737/5 may result in serious consequences. Operators who do not adhere to the Airworthiness Directives risk facing civil penalties, which can include fines of up to $21,000 for each instance of non-compliance (paragraph 8). Furthermore, the continued operation of an aircraft that does not comply with these directives could lead to more severe outcomes, including potential criminal charges for endangering the safety of the flight (paragraph 9). These penalties underscore the importance of strict adherence to the requirements set forth in the directive to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes (paragraph 10).