COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 737 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B737/85 Fuel Actuator Shutoff Valve 6/95
Applicability: All model 737 series aircraft fitted with J.C. Carter actuator P/N 40574-2 used in any of the following J.C. Carter fuel system valves.
J.C Carter P/N | Boeing P/N |
6563 | 10-60529-1 |
60128 | 10-60529-5 |
61163 | 10-60529-8 |
61183 | 10-60529-10 |
61185 | 10-60529-11 |
Note: The above valve assemblies are used on the 737 fuel shutoff and crossfeed positions.
Requirement: Action in accordance with J.C. Carter SB 61163-28-08. Compliance: By 31 May 1997.
Background: The valve manufacturer has advised that while functional testing a Boeing 737 gate valve, when the valve was selected to either the “open” or “close” position the actuator suffered a clutch slippage problem whenever the temperature dropped below minus twenty degrees C (minus five degrees F).
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR) form a crucial part of Australia’s regulatory framework governing civil aviation safety, with Part 39 specifically addressing Airworthiness Directives. This legislative instrument was enacted to ensure that aircraft operating within Australia comply with stringent safety standards. One such directive, AD/B737/85, pertains to Boeing 737 Series aeroplanes, focusing on the fuel actuator shutoff valve. This directive was introduced to address a critical safety issue identified with the J.C. Carter actuator P/N 40574-2 in certain fuel system valves. The problem arose from clutch slippage at low temperatures, which could potentially lead to unsafe operational conditions. The directive mandates compliance with J.C. Carter Service Bulletin 61163-28-08, ensuring that all affected aircraft are maintained to a standard that mitigates this risk. The policy objective behind this regulation is to enhance the overall safety of civil aviation by enforcing timely and effective corrective actions for identified safety hazards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the Commonwealth of Australia's regulatory framework, encompass specific safety directives concerning aircraft operation. This particular regulation, AD/B737/85, applies to all Boeing 737 series aircraft equipped with J.C. Carter actuator part numbers 40574-2, specifically those used in certain J.C. Carter fuel system valves identified by their Boeing part numbers. The directive mandates compliance with the action detailed in J.C. Carter Service Bulletin 61163-28-08 to address a clutch slippage issue in the actuator when temperatures drop below minus twenty degrees Celsius. This directive is imperative for ensuring the safety and reliability of these aircraft's fuel systems, and compliance must be achieved by 31 May 1997. The regulation applies nationally across Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and its scope is limited to the specified aircraft models and components.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Boeing 737 series aeroplanes concerning the J.C. Carter actuator shutoff valve (AD/B737/85). This AD applies to all model 737 aircraft fitted with certain J.C. Carter actuators used in various fuel system valve positions (Section 39 - 105). The requirement is to take action in accordance with J.C. Carter Service Bulletin (SB) 61163-28-08, which details the necessary modifications and corrective actions to address a clutch slippage issue that occurs when the valve is selected to either the “open” or “close” position at temperatures below minus twenty degrees Celsius (minus five degrees Fahrenheit).
The AD imposes obligations on the operators of the affected Boeing 737 aircraft to ensure compliance with the specified corrective actions by a deadline of 31 May 1997. Compliance involves performing the actions detailed in J.C. Carter SB 61163-28-08 to mitigate the risk of clutch slippage, which could potentially compromise the aircraft's fuel system integrity and operational safety. This requires the operators to follow a set procedure to inspect, repair, or replace the affected valve assemblies to ensure they function correctly under all operational conditions, including low temperatures.
Failure to comply with this AD can result in serious safety implications, including the risk of fuel system malfunction, which could lead to hazardous situations during flight. The regulations do not explicitly detail penalties for non-compliance within the text, but non-compliance with ADs can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include directives for corrective action, fines, or other penalties as deemed appropriate by CASA, given the critical nature of the safety issue addressed by this AD. It is important for operators to adhere to the specified timeline and corrective measures to maintain airworthiness and ensure the safe operation of the aircraft.