COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/82 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/B737/82
Amdt 2
Thrust Reverser Sync-Lock System Test 7/2000
Applicability: All Boeing 737-300, -400, and -500 series aircraft fitted with thrust reverser sync- locks in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-78-1053.
Requirement: 1. Revise respective Boeing 737 systems of maintenance to include a periodic functional test of the thrust reverser sync lock-system that meets the intent of the test specified in FAA AD 94-21-05 Revision 1 Amdt 39-9314 on page 2 titled “Thrust Reverser Sync-Lock Integrity Test”. The following amendments shall be included in the FAA AD Sync-Lock Integrity Test.
Amend paragraph B. (2) to read “Make sure both thrust reverser sleeves did not move aft more than 0.08 inches.”
Amend paragraph B. (4) to read ” Make sure that both reverser sleeves move aft a minimum of 0.15 inches, but not more than 1.25 inches.”
Note 1: Boeing All Operator Message M-7272-94-6132 dated 19 December 1994 advises FAA approval of two alternate Means of Compliance to FAA AD 94-21-05 R1.
2. Functionally test the thrust reverser sync-lock system in accordance with the test introduced by Requirement 1 of this Directive.
If any discrepancy is found during this test either rectify the defect before further flight or operate the aircraft in accordance with an approved MEL. Operation under the provisions and limitations of an MEL is permitted provided the failed sync-lock system is deactivated and in the locked position.
Compliance: 1. Upon incorporation of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-78-1053 on any aircraft.
2. Within 4000 hours time in service since the incorporation of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-78-1053, or within 4000 hours time in service after 2 February 1995, whichever occurs later. Thereafter, reinspect at intervals not exceeding 4000 hours time in service.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Note 2: AD/B737/81 Amdt 1 mandated compliance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737- 78-1053R1, R2 or R3 by 31 December, 1999.
Note 3: FAA AD 94-21-05 R1 Amdt 39-9314 refers and revises 94-21-05 Amdt 39-
9047.
This Amendment becomes effective on 13 July 2000.
Background: The original Directive was issued to introduce a periodic functional test of the thrust reverser sync-lock system. The sync-lock system was introduced as part of an on- going design review of thrust reverser systems following an accident that was attributed to an uncommanded in-flight deployment of a thrust reverser.
Amendment 1 issued in November 95 raised to reflect a minor editorial revision to the original FAA AD and make reference to an approved alternate test.
Amendment 2 was issued to clarify and include FAA approved changes to the FAA Sync-Lock Integrity Test Procedures and Reference latest FAA AD and Boeing message dated 19 December 1994.
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 9 November 1995.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 2 February 1995.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 31 May 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 June 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 13 July 2000, addresses a safety issue concerning the thrust reverser sync-lock system in Boeing 737-300, -400, and -500 series aircraft. This legislative instrument was enacted to mandate a periodic functional test of the thrust reverser sync-lock system to rectify an unsafe condition that could potentially lead to uncommanded in-flight deployment of a thrust reverser. The directive was issued under the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Act 1988, with the policy objective of ensuring the highest possible safety standards in civil aviation. The requirement includes revising the maintenance systems to include a specific test that meets the criteria set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and conducting the test at prescribed intervals to maintain the integrity of the sync-lock system.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes, which applies to all Boeing 737-300, -400, and -500 series aircraft fitted with thrust reverser sync-locks in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-78-1053. This AD is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is applicable nationwide in Australia, reinforcing the safety standards for aircraft operations. The AD mandates revisions to the respective Boeing 737 maintenance systems to include a periodic functional test of the thrust reverser sync-lock system, aligned with specific instructions from FAA AD 94-21-05 Revision 1 Amdt 39-9314, with particular amendments noted in the requirement section. The directive is effective upon incorporation of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-78-1053 and requires compliance within 4000 hours of time in service since the incorporation of this bulletin or 4000 hours of time in service after 2 February 1995, whichever is later. Compliance must also be maintained through reinspections at intervals not exceeding 4000 hours of time in service. The AD supersedes previous amendments and becomes effective from 13 July 2000, ensuring that all necessary safety measures are consistently adhered to across the designated aircraft fleet.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, details the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B737/82 Amdt 2 for Boeing 737 series aeroplanes, which was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety concerns related to the thrust reverser sync-lock system. The AD applies to all Boeing 737-300, -400, and -500 series aircraft equipped with thrust reverser sync-locks as specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-78-1053 (section 1). The main requirement of the AD is that the aircraft maintenance systems must be updated to include a periodic functional test of the thrust reverser sync-lock system. This test should adhere to the specifications outlined in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 94-21-05 Revision 1 Amdt 39-9314, with specific amendments to paragraphs B. (2) and B. (4) as detailed in the directive (section 1). Additionally, the thrust reverser sync-lock system must be functionally tested in accordance with the newly introduced test procedures (section 1). If any discrepancies are found during the test, corrective action must be taken before further flight, or the aircraft must be operated under an approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL) with the failed sync-lock system deactivated and locked (section 1).
The AD imposes several obligations on the operators and maintenance personnel of the affected Boeing 737 series aircraft. These obligations include updating the aircraft's maintenance systems to incorporate the new test procedures for the thrust reverser sync-lock system (section 1). Maintenance personnel must then conduct the periodic functional tests as specified, ensuring that both thrust reverser sleeves meet the required movement criteria (section 1). Operators must ensure that if any discrepancies are identified during these tests, the necessary corrective actions are taken, or the aircraft must be operated under an approved MEL with the sync-lock system deactivated and locked (section 1). Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within 4000 hours of time in service since the incorporation of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-78-1053, or within 4000 hours of time in service after 2 February 1995, whichever is later. Further inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 4000 hours of time in service (section 2).
Failure to comply with the AD AD/B737/82 Amdt 2 could result in significant safety risks, as the thrust reverser sync-lock system is critical for safe aircraft operations. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not specify maximum penalties for non-compliance with ADs, CASA has the authority to enforce compliance through various means, including fines, operational restrictions, or other regulatory actions. Operators and maintenance personnel must ensure strict adherence to the AD to avoid potential safety incidents and regulatory penalties. The AD became effective on 13 July 2000, and its importance cannot be overstated in maintaining the airworthiness and safety of Boeing 737 series aircraft.