COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/66
Amdt 1
Electrical Wiring Loom 5/96
Applicability: All Boeing 737-300, -400 and -500 series aircraft.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 92-04-07 Amdt 39- 8178.
Compliance: The original compliance was as specified in the Requirement Document, with an effective date of 30 April 1992.
This amendment is effective from 25 April 1996.
Incorporation of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1299 dated 18 June 1992 (Examination and Change of Door Header Support Bracket Assembly and Wire Bundle Installations) provides terminating action for the repetitive inspections of this Directive.
Background: This AD is issued because of a report of a burned wire bundle, located above the cockpit to cabin door header frame, caused by short circuits resulting from chafed wiring. This condition, if not corrected, could result in smoke and fire in the passenger cabin and cockpit.
This amendment introduces optional terminating action for the inspection requirements of this Directive.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, address the safety of Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directives (AD). One such AD is AD/B737/66 Amendment 1, which pertains to the electrical wiring loom of Boeing 737-300, -400, and -500 series aircraft. The Act was enacted to address the safety issue of short circuits caused by chafed wiring, which can lead to smoke and fire in the aircraft cabin and cockpit. This problem arises from the potential for burned wire bundles located above the cockpit to cabin door header frame. The policy objective is to ensure the safety of passengers and crew by mandating compliance with the technical requirements specified in FAA AD 92-04-07 Amendment 39-8178 and the Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1299 dated 18 June 1992, which includes terminating actions for repetitive inspections of the affected areas. The compliance requirements originally mandated effective from 30 April 1992, with this amendment taking effect from 25 April 1996.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Boeing 737-300, -400 and -500 series aircraft, ensuring that these aircraft meet specific airworthiness directives. This regulation is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and adheres to the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 92-04-07 Amdt 39-8178, which was originally effective from 30 April 1992 and amended on 25 April 1996. The legislation was prompted by reports of short circuits caused by chafed wiring, leading to a burned wire bundle and potential smoke and fire hazards in the passenger cabin and cockpit. This directive also incorporates Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1299 dated 18 June 1992, which provides a terminating action for the repetitive inspections of this directive, offering an optional solution to the previously mandated inspections. The regulations are applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia, with CASA overseeing compliance across all relevant entities and industries within the Australian aviation sector.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, contain a schedule of airworthiness directives that mandate compliance for certain aircraft. For Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes, AD/B737/66 Amendment 1 focuses on electrical wiring loom issues, particularly affecting the Boeing 737-300, -400, and -500 series aircraft (section 1). The directive requires action in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 92-04-07 Amendment 39-8178 (section 2). The original compliance date was set for 30 April 1992, and this amendment became effective from 25 April 1996 (section 3). The directive was amended to incorporate Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1299 dated 18 June 1992, which addresses the examination and change of the door header support bracket assembly and wire bundle installations, effectively terminating repetitive inspections for this issue (section 4).
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators of the Boeing 737-300, -400, and -500 series aircraft must ensure that the technical requirements of FAA AD 92-04-07 Amendment 39-8178 are adhered to, particularly concerning the electrical wiring loom. This includes conducting necessary examinations and changes to the door header support bracket assembly and wire bundle installations to prevent short circuits caused by chafed wiring, which could lead to smoke and fire in the passenger cabin and cockpit (section 5). Additionally, the incorporation of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-25A1299 mandates that operators implement the optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections of this directive, providing a definitive endpoint for these safety measures (section 6).
Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. The maximum penalties for breaches of these regulations include substantial fines and potential imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of ensuring aviation safety. Civil penalties can be significant, and criminal charges may be pursued in cases of severe non-compliance, highlighting the regulatory body's commitment to maintaining high safety standards within the aviation industry (section 7).