COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/8
Amdt 2
Evacuation Slide Compartment Latch Assembly 9/87
Applicability: All model B737 with S/Nos listed in the Requirement document. Requirement: Action in accordance with Boeing Alert SB 737-25A1182R4.
Note: FAA AD 85-25-04 and FAA AD 86-05-04 refer.
Compliance: Prior to 31 March 1986.
Background: During a B737 emergency evacuation, when the right hand forward service door was opened, the escape slide outer pack cover opened prematurely, blocking further opening of the door and allowing the escape slide to partially come out of the shell onto the aircraft floor. Amendment 2 of this Directive references Revision 4 of the Requirement document and the FAA ADs on this subject. Aircraft modified in accordance with Amendment 1 of this Directive do not require additional work.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through F2006B02981, specifically addresses safety concerns associated with the evacuation slide compartment latch assembly in Boeing 737 series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Australian Commonwealth, this legislative instrument aims to ensure compliance with international safety standards and protocols, particularly those set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The problem it addresses is the premature opening of the escape slide outer pack cover during an emergency evacuation, which can obstruct the service door and compromise the integrity of the slide. This directive mandates adherence to Boeing Alert SB 737-25A1182R4, referencing previous FAA ADs 85-25-04 and 86-05-04, and requires compliance for all applicable serial numbers prior to 31 March 1986. The policy objective is to maintain high safety standards for aircraft evacuations, ensuring that such incidents do not occur and passengers can evacuate safely in an emergency.
The regulation ensures that aircraft operators must take corrective action in line with specified safety bulletins and directives to prevent the identified safety hazard. The enactment of this directive by the Commonwealth of Australia underscores the importance of stringent safety measures in civil aviation, aligning with global safety protocols and enhancing the overall safety of air travel for passengers and crew.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to the Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes and mandates certain safety improvements to the evacuation slide compartment latch assembly. This regulation applies to all model B737 aeroplanes with serial numbers listed in the Requirement document, requiring compliance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin SB 737-25A1182R4. This directive references previous Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Directives (ADs) 85-25-04 and 86-05-04, indicating an international alignment in addressing safety concerns related to the aircraft's emergency evacuation systems. Compliance with this directive must be achieved prior to 31 March 1986, ensuring that any modifications made under Amendment 1 of the directive are sufficient and do not necessitate further work. This ensures that the aircraft's emergency evacuation procedures are safe and effective, preventing issues such as the escape slide outer pack cover opening prematurely and obstructing the service door during an evacuation.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the requirements for ensuring the airworthiness of Boeing 737 series aeroplanes. Section 9/87 focuses on the applicability of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) to all model B737 aeroplanes with specific serial numbers as listed in the Requirement document. This section mandates compliance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (SB) 737-25A1182R4, which addresses issues with the evacuation slide compartment latch assembly. It is important to note that this directive references previous Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ADs 85-25-04 and 86-05-04, providing a historical context and continuity in addressing safety concerns. Compliance with this directive is required prior to 31 March 1986.
Under these regulations, the entities governed must ensure that all applicable Boeing 737 aeroplanes are modified in accordance with the specified service bulletin and amendment requirements. This involves inspecting the evacuation slide compartment latch assembly and making necessary adjustments or replacements to prevent the premature opening of the escape slide outer pack cover. The modifications must be carried out by authorised personnel, ensuring that the aircraft meet the safety standards set forth in the Civil Aviation Regulations.
Failure to comply with the requirements of the AD can result in significant consequences. The AD outlines that any non-compliance could potentially lead to safety hazards during emergency evacuations, as evidenced by incidents where the escape slide partially came out of the shell, obstructing the door and hindering evacuation. Such breaches of the AD can result in the aircraft being grounded until the required modifications are completed. The regulations do not specify maximum penalties in the extract, but non-compliance with civil aviation regulations can generally lead to fines, enforcement actions, and potential criminal charges in severe cases.