AD/B737/60 - Crew Call Horn

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, include AD/B737/60 which pertains to Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the crew call horn. Enacted by the Australian Government, this directive was introduced to address the safety issue of overheated printed circuit cards caused by horn failures, a problem identified in the Boeing 737 series aircraft. The potential consequences of this issue include damage to adjacent circuitry, smoke, and the possibility of fire. This directive mandates compliance with the Technical Requirements of FAA AD 91-09-05, requiring corrective action to be completed prior to 30 November 1991. The policy objective is to ensure the airworthiness of the aircraft by mitigating risks associated with electrical faults in the crew call horn system.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to all Boeing 737 series aeroplanes, as outlined in the Requirement Document, and mandates specific actions in accordance with the Technical Requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) AD 91-09-05. The directive is designed to address issues related to overheated printed circuit cards caused by horn failures, which if left unaddressed, could lead to damage to adjacent circuitry, smoke, and potential fire hazards. This regulatory requirement necessitates compliance before 30 November 1991, ensuring that all affected aircraft are equipped with the necessary modifications to mitigate these risks. Additionally, reference is made to Service Bulletin 737-23-1059, which provides further guidance and details on the implementation of the required actions. The applicability of this directive is geographically broad, extending across the Commonwealth of Australia, and is enforced through the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. It applies to all operators of Boeing 737 series aeroplanes within the country, ensuring that these aircraft meet the specified airworthiness standards. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the directive itself, but it is noted that compliance is mandatory for the specified models. The directive's application may also be extended or refined through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which may provide additional clarification or specific implementation details.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, concerning the Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes, are primarily found in the Airworthiness Directive (AD/B737/60) which mandates actions in accordance with the Technical Requirements of FAA AD 91-09-05. This AD applies to all models of the 737 series as specified in the Requirement Document. It specifies that the crew call horn must be addressed in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 91-09-05, with a reference to Service Bulletin 737-23-1059 which also pertains to this issue. Compliance with these directives is required prior to 30 November 1991, following reports of overheated printed circuit cards due to horn failures. If left uncorrected, these failures could lead to damage to adjacent circuitry, smoke, and potentially a fire. The obligations imposed by this Act on the relevant parties, primarily aircraft operators and maintenance personnel, are to ensure that the crew call horn on all Boeing 737 series aircraft is inspected, maintained, or replaced as required by FAA AD 91-09-05. This involves adhering to the technical specifications and procedures outlined in the referenced FAA directive and service bulletin. Operators must also ensure that all actions are completed before the specified deadline of 30 November 1991 to maintain compliance with civil aviation safety standards. Additionally, maintenance personnel are responsible for documenting all actions taken and retaining records of compliance for verification and auditing purposes. Failure to comply with the provisions of the AD/B737/60 can result in significant consequences. Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement action against non-compliant aircraft operators, which can include fines, operational restrictions, or even grounding of the affected aircraft until the required actions are completed. The severity of the penalties can vary based on the extent of non-compliance and any resultant safety risks. Under Australian law, severe breaches could lead to criminal charges, with potential penalties including substantial fines and imprisonment for individuals responsible for the oversight of the non-compliance. Additionally, any incidents arising from non-compliance could lead to further civil or criminal liabilities, including compensation claims for damages caused by the resultant safety hazards.