COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/6 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/6
Amdt 1
Rear Pressure Bulkhead 8/2002
Applicability: Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series aircraft; line numbers 1
through 3132.
Requirement: Inspect in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2002-10-11 Amdt 39-12757.
Note: Boeing Alert Service Bulletins 737-53A1075, Revision 1, Revision 2, and Revision 3 refer.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 8 August 2002.
This amendment becomes effective on 8 August 2002.
Background: There have been numerous overseas reports of corrosion, two of which resulted in the loss of cabin pressure. Severe corrosion could result in sudden loss of cabin pressure.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a new FAA AD which expands applicability and requires new repetitive inspections to detect cracking and corrosion of the rear pressure bulkhead at BS 1016, and follow-on actions.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 28 June 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 17 July 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the critical issue of maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft by introducing Airworthiness Directives (ADs). Enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as a delegate of the Commonwealth of Australia, these regulations aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation through the enforcement of ADs, which mandate corrective actions for identified unsafe conditions. In this particular legislative instrument, the AD AD/B737/6 Amendment 1, issued on 8 August 2002, focuses on the Boeing 737 series aeroplanes and mandates inspections for corrosion and structural integrity of the rear pressure bulkhead to prevent sudden loss of cabin pressure. This directive responds to multiple reports of corrosion incidents overseas, two of which resulted in loss of cabin pressure, thereby underscoring the policy objective to enhance safety through proactive inspection and maintenance protocols.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, encompasses Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of aircraft operating in Australia. This legislative instrument applies to the Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes, including models 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500, with line numbers ranging from 1 through 3132. The directive mandates inspections and corrective actions as specified by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airworthiness Directive 2002-10-11 Amdt 39-12757, addressing corrosion and cracking of the rear pressure bulkhead at BS 1016. The requirement for compliance with the directive includes adhering to the technical specifications outlined in the FAA's directive and referencing relevant Boeing Alert Service Bulletins, namely 737-53A1075, Revisions 1, 2, and 3. The AD applies nationally across Australia, with the compliance timeline commencing from the revised effective date of 8 August 2002. The directive revokes the previous AD/B737/6 and is effective as of 8 August 2002, ensuring that all specified aircraft undergo necessary inspections to mitigate the risk of sudden cabin pressure loss due to severe corrosion.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, contain Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that pertain to the maintenance and safety of aircraft. One such AD, AD/B737/6 Amendment 1, focuses on the Boeing 737 series aircraft, including models 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500, and applies to line numbers 1 through 3132 (section 1). The AD mandates an inspection of the rear pressure bulkhead in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 2002-10-11 Amendment 39-12757 (section 2). This inspection is necessary to detect and address any signs of corrosion or cracking, which could lead to the loss of cabin pressure. Boeing Alert Service Bulletins 737-53A1075, Revision 1, Revision 2, and Revision 3, provide additional guidance on this issue.
The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and specific. Aircraft operators must conduct the required inspection of the rear pressure bulkhead at the designated locations, BS 1016, in accordance with the stipulated FAA AD and the referenced Boeing bulletins. This inspection must be performed at the intervals and with the thoroughness specified in the requirement document (section 3). The AD sets a revised effective date of 8 August 2002, and compliance with these inspection requirements is mandatory for all aircraft within the specified models and line numbers.
Failure to comply with the AD/B737/6 Amendment 1 could result in significant legal and operational consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory penalties. The seriousness of the safety concerns addressed by this AD underscores the importance of strict adherence to its provisions (section 4).