AD/B737/78 - Evacuation Slide Valise

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, addresses the critical issue of aircraft safety, particularly with respect to the functionality of evacuation slides in Boeing 737 series aeroplanes. The specific Airworthiness Directive AD/B737/78, dated 13/93, was introduced in response to reports of evacuation slide inflation pressure loss, which compromised the effectiveness of the slides during emergency evacuations. This problem was traced to the failure of the aspirator to close and seal properly after the battery test lead was ingested, a situation that was identified following three reports to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The policy objective behind this directive is to ensure the safety of passengers and crew by mandating modifications to the evacuation slide valise in accordance with BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 101658/659/660-25-257, ensuring compliance by 7 October 1996. This directive is a part of the overarching regulatory framework aimed at maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as detailed in Part 39 - 105, applies to all Boeing 737 series aeroplanes, specifically models 737-200, -300, -400, and -500, that are equipped with BFGoodrich evacuation slides identified in BFGoodrich Service Bulletins 101658/659/660-25-257. The regulation mandates a modification to the evacuation slide valise to rectify issues identified in the aforementioned service bulletins, ensuring the slides can operate correctly under all circumstances. This requirement is intended to address the safety concerns raised by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the inoperative slides due to pressure loss, which was traced back to failures of the aspirator to properly close and seal after the battery test lead was ingested. Compliance with this directive is essential for aircraft operators to maintain airworthiness standards, with a specific compliance deadline set before 7 October 1996, as referenced by FAA AD 93-17-03 Amdt 39-8673. The regulation is administered under the Commonwealth of Australia and applies across the nation, impacting the aviation industry directly by ensuring the safety and efficacy of evacuation slides on specified Boeing 737 models.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly the AD/B737/78 related to the Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes, mandate specific modifications to the evacuation slide valises (Part 39, Section 105). These requirements are outlined in BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 101658/659/660-25-257. The modifications pertain to Model 737-200, -300, -400, and -500 series aircraft that are equipped with BFGoodrich evacuation slides. Essentially, the regulation requires that these slides be altered to comply with the specifications set out in the aforementioned service bulletin. This ensures that the slides function correctly, particularly in emergency situations, by preventing pressure loss and ensuring the aspirator can close and seal properly. The obligations imposed by the Act on the parties or entities it governs are stringent and precise. Aircraft operators and maintenance entities must ensure that any Boeing 737 aircraft within the specified series and equipped with the relevant BFGoodrich evacuation slides undergo the necessary modifications. This involves adhering to the detailed instructions provided in the service bulletin, which includes specific technical adjustments to the slide valise. Operators and maintainers must ensure that these modifications are carried out before a specified compliance date of 7 October 1996. This requirement underscores the critical nature of the modifications, given the potential safety implications of a malfunctioning evacuation slide during an emergency. The consequences for non-compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 are severe. Breach of the specified directives can result in civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines and other sanctions imposed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Criminal penalties can be even more severe, particularly if non-compliance is deemed to have caused harm or endangerment. The maximum penalties for such breaches can include substantial fines and imprisonment, reflecting the serious nature of the safety requirements outlined in the legislation. Ensuring compliance is not just a legal obligation but a critical safety measure to protect passengers and crew in the event of an emergency.