COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/80
Amdt 1
Wing Leading Edge Panel 4/95
Applicability: Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series aircraft, with line numbers 1001 through 1976,
1978 through 2197, and 2199.
Requirement: Modify the leading edge slat and internal structure at Front Spar Station 250.663 in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57-1221.
Note: FAA AD 94-06-11 Amdt 39-8858 and AD 94-26-13 Amdt 39-9108 refer.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, prior to 21 April 1996.
Background: Reports were received of fuel leakage from the fuel line at front spar station 250.663, which then flowed through a drain hole in a slat access panel and into the turbine exhaust area.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a new FAA AD which expands the applicability to include additional affected aircraft.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, serve as the primary legislative instrument for regulating civil aviation safety and operations within Australia. Part 39 of these Regulations focuses on airworthiness directives, which are legally binding instructions that ensure aircraft maintain a safe standard of airworthiness. One such directive, AD/B737/80 Amendment 1, pertains specifically to Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes, particularly the 737-300, -400, and -500 models with certain line numbers. This directive was introduced to address a safety concern identified by reports of fuel leakage from the fuel line at front spar station 250.663, which subsequently flowed into the turbine exhaust area. The policy objective behind this directive is to mitigate the risk of potential fuel-related hazards by mandating modifications to the leading edge slat and internal structure at the specified front spar station, in alignment with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57-1221. Compliance with this directive is required before 21 April 1996, ensuring that the necessary safety measures are implemented to protect both the aircraft and its occupants.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issues Airworthiness Directives (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 to ensure the continued airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australia. Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically the AD/B737/80 Amendment 1, applies to Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes, specifically model 737-300, -400, and -500 series aircraft with line numbers 1001 through 1976, 1978 through 2197, and 2199. This directive mandates modification of the leading edge slat and internal structure at Front Spar Station 250.663 in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57-1221. This requirement stems from reports of fuel leakage from the fuel line at Front Spar Station 250.663, which subsequently flowed into the turbine exhaust area. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, with the modifications required to be completed before 21 April 1996 unless already accomplished. The AD references related Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directives, FAA AD 94-06-11 Amendment 39-8858 and AD 94-26-13 Amendment 39-9108, indicating alignment with international safety standards. The scope of the AD is explicitly defined by the model and line numbers of the aircraft, ensuring that only the specified aircraft are subject to the directive.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), specifically in PART 39 - 105, mandate compliance with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes. Section AD/B737/80 Amendment 1, dated 4/95, addresses the modification of the leading edge slat and internal structure at Front Spar Station 250.663. This directive applies to model 737-300, -400, and -500 series aircraft with specific line numbers, namely 1001 through 1976, 1978 through 2197, and 2199. The requirement is to modify these components in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57-1221. This modification is intended to address and rectify fuel leakage issues that have been reported at the aforementioned location.
The regulations impose several obligations on the parties involved. Aircraft operators and maintenance providers must ensure that the specified modifications are completed on applicable aircraft. This involves following the detailed instructions provided in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-57-1221 to accurately and effectively modify the leading edge slat and internal structure at Front Spar Station 250.663. Additionally, operators must verify that these modifications are carried out before the compliance deadline of 21 April 1996, unless the modifications have already been performed. This directive also references FAA Airworthiness Directives AD 94-06-11 Amendment 39-8858 and AD 94-26-13 Amendment 39-9108, which provide further context and background to the required modifications.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/B737/80 Amendment 1 can result in severe consequences. Non-compliance with CASA's directives can lead to civil and criminal penalties. The Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth) and associated regulations provide for substantial fines and potential imprisonment for individuals and entities that violate these directives. Specifically, under Section 19 of the Civil Aviation Act, non-compliance with an airworthiness directive can result in fines up to $162,000 for individuals and $810,000 for corporations, as well as imprisonment for up to five years. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to CASA's directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.