COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/54
Amdt 1
Overhead Wire Bundle 10/92
Applicability: All model 737 aircraft listed in the Requirement Document.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the Technical Requirements of FAA AD 90-25-14 Amendment 39-6824.
Note: Boeing Service Letter 737-SL-24-58 dated 3 August 1988 refers.
Compliance: The Compliance date of the original issue of this Directive was 21 March 1991. This Amendment is effective from 17 September 1992.
Note: This Directive requires repetitive inspections at intervals not to exceed 120 days. Modification in accordance Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1274 Revision 1 dated 31 October 1991 is considered terminating action for this Directive.
Background: The original issue of this Directive was prompted by reports of burned wire bundles caused by short circuits resulting from chaffed wiring. This condition, if not corrected, could result in fire and smoke in the passenger cabin and cockpit. This amendment is issued to advise of terminating action for the Directive.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39, establish the framework for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft, including the Boeing 737 Series. One such regulation, AD/B737/54 Amendment 1, addresses the issue of overhead wire bundles on Boeing 737 aircraft. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of fires and smoke in the passenger cabin and cockpit due to short circuits caused by chaffed wiring in the overhead wire bundles. The original directive, effective from 21 March 1991, and its subsequent amendment from 17 September 1992, mandate corrective actions in accordance with the Technical Requirements of FAA AD 90-25-14 Amendment 39-6824. The objective of these regulations is to ensure ongoing compliance through repetitive inspections at intervals not exceeding 120 days, as outlined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to uphold safety standards in civil aviation and prevent potential hazards associated with wiring issues in aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, applies to all Boeing 737 series aircraft specified in the requirement document. The legislation mandates compliance with the Technical Requirements of FAA AD 90-25-14 Amendment 39-6824, ensuring that these aircraft meet certain safety standards regarding the overhead wire bundle. The directive was initially issued on 21 March 1991, with the amendment becoming effective on 17 September 1992. It requires repetitive inspections at intervals not exceeding 120 days to prevent issues such as burned wire bundles caused by short circuits due to chaffed wiring, which could lead to fire and smoke in the cabin and cockpit. Compliance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1274 Revision 1 dated 31 October 1991 is considered the terminating action for this directive. The regulatory framework is designed to maintain the airworthiness of the specified aircraft, ensuring safety across the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives pertaining to Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes. Section AD/B737/54 Amendment 1, which concerns the overhead wire bundle, applies to all model 737 aircraft listed in the Requirement Document (section 1). The directive requires compliance with the Technical Requirements of FAA AD 90-25-14 Amendment 39-6824, referencing Boeing Service Letter 737-SL-24-58 dated 3 August 1988 (section 2). This regulatory requirement was initially set forth on 21 March 1991, with the amendment becoming effective from 17 September 1992 (section 3). The directive mandates repetitive inspections at intervals not exceeding 120 days to ensure safety (section 4). Modifications in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1274 Revision 1 dated 31 October 1991 are considered terminating actions for this directive (section 5).
The obligations imposed by this directive require operators of Boeing 737 aircraft to adhere strictly to the technical requirements specified in FAA AD 90-25-14 Amendment 39-6824. This includes conducting thorough inspections of the overhead wire bundle to prevent the risk of short circuits and subsequent fires. The directive also necessitates that any modifications made to the aircraft's wiring system align with the recommendations provided in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-25-1274 Revision 1. Operators must ensure that these modifications are documented and verified to be compliant with the regulatory standards set forth in the directive (section 6).
Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive can result in significant consequences. Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations outline penalties for non-compliance, which may include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft operating certificates, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to a safety incident. The maximum penalties for such offences can vary, but they are designed to ensure that operators maintain the highest standards of aircraft safety. Non-compliance not only risks these penalties but also endangers the safety of passengers and crew (section 7).
In summary, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, mandate stringent safety measures for Boeing 737 aircraft through the Airworthiness Directive AD/B737/54 Amendment 1. Operators must adhere to specific technical requirements and conduct regular inspections to prevent potential hazards such as fires caused by chaffed wiring. Non-compliance with these regulations can lead to severe civil and criminal penalties, underscoring the importance of strict adherence to the directive's requirements (section 8).