AD/B737/52 Amdt 2 - Corrosion Prevention and Control Program

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. This legislative instrument specifically addresses the need for a corrosion prevention and control program for Boeing 737 series aircraft. The aim is to maintain the structural integrity of these aircraft, preventing degradation that could compromise safety. The regulation, Amendment 2, updates the requirements to include an alternative method of compliance for in-production aircraft, providing flexibility in adherence to the corrosion prevention measures while ensuring safety standards are upheld. Compliance with these directives is mandatory for all Model 737 series aircraft unless an approved alternative maintenance system is in place. This amendment was introduced to clarify and enhance the reporting requirements for identified corrosion, ensuring timely and appropriate actions are taken to mitigate any safety risks.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Boeing 737 series aeroplanes, with Amendment 2 concerning the Corrosion Prevention and Control Program. This legislative instrument applies to all Boeing 737 series aircraft unless the system of maintenance includes an alternative method of compliance approved by the Authority. The directive mandates adherence to the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 90-25-01 Amendment 39-6789. Notably, the reporting of corrosion varies based on the severity level; level 1 corrosion need not be reported, while level 2 corrosion must be consolidated and reported with a sixty-day corrective action plan, and level 3 corrosion requires immediate reporting via a Maintenance Deviation Report. The scope of this Act is national, extending across Australia as regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This amendment, effective from 8 December 1993, aims to ensure the structural integrity of Boeing 737 aircraft by implementing stringent corrosion prevention and control measures.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically addresses the Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes through AD/B737/52 Amendment 2C, which deals with the Corrosion Prevention and Control Program (CPCP). This amendment mandates that all Model 737 series aircraft must adhere to the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 90-25-01 Amendment 39-6789, unless an alternative method of compliance has been approved by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (s. 105.123). This requirement ensures that aircraft maintenance systems include appropriate measures to prevent and control corrosion, a critical aspect of aircraft safety and airworthiness. Under this legislation, the CPCP requires different actions based on the level of corrosion identified. Corrosion classified as level 1 does not need to be reported. However, level 2 corrosion must be consolidated and reported with a sixty-day plan for corrective action, submitted to the CASA District (Airport) Office under a single Maintenance Discrepancy Report (MDR). For level 3 corrosion, immediate reporting via MDR is mandatory (s. 105.124). These provisions ensure that corrosion is managed in a timely and systematic manner, maintaining the integrity and safety of the aircraft. Entities governed by these regulations must comply with the outlined requirements as specified in the technical documentation. This includes ensuring that any maintenance or inspection processes include a robust system for identifying and reporting corrosion, with appropriate corrective actions taken within the specified timeframes. The maintenance planning data document No D6-38278 Section 10 is recognised as an approved alternative method of compliance for certain aircraft models, providing flexibility while maintaining safety standards (s. 105.125). Failure to comply with the Corrosion Prevention and Control Program as mandated by these regulations can result in significant consequences. Non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by CASA, including fines or other penalties. The severity of the consequences will depend on the extent and impact of the non-compliance, with maximum penalties potentially reaching substantial financial or administrative sanctions (s. 105.126). These measures are designed to ensure strict adherence to safety standards, thereby protecting both the operators and the public from potential hazards associated with aircraft corrosion.