AD/B747/100 Amdt 1 - Brake Wear Limit

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through the legislative instrument F2006B03001, specifically addresses safety concerns associated with the operation of Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, these regulations aim to rectify a significant safety issue identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concerning the wear limits of brake assemblies on Boeing 747 aircraft. The problem identified was that during a rejected takeoff, the majority of the brake assemblies were near their maximum wear limit, failing to absorb the required energy and leading to runway excursions. The objective of this legislation is to ensure the continued airworthiness of Australian-registered Boeing 747 series aircraft by imposing stricter brake wear limits as per the FAA AD 92-18-12 Amdt 39- 8357, effective from 7 January 1993. This directive requires the inspection, replacement, or rework of certain landing gear brakes to enhance safety and prevent potential runway excursions.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 pertaining to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes, addresses the technical requirements for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. This legislation applies to all Boeing 747 series aircraft equipped with the specific brake parts identified in the requirement document. The regulations mandate compliance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 92-18-12 Amdt 39-8357, with a revised effective date of 7 January 1993 for Australian registered aircraft. The directive was prompted by a Federal Aviation Administration investigation into a runway excursion incident involving a transport category aircraft, which highlighted the need for new maximum brake wear limits. Amendment 1 to this directive was issued to incorporate the latest FAA requirements, including the inspection and necessary replacement or rework of additional landing gear brakes that were not previously covered. The regulation's reach is national, applying to all relevant aircraft within Australia, and its application can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an airworthiness directive (AD) concerning the Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. The directive, AD/B747/100 Amendment 1, pertains to brake wear limits (section 1). This applies to Model 747 series aircraft equipped with particular brake parts identified in the requirement document (section 2). The directive mandates actions in line with the technical requirements of the FAA AD 92-18-12 Amendment 39-8357 (section 3). Compliance with these requirements must be conducted according to the specifics outlined in the requirement document, with the directive having an effective date of 7 January 1993 for Australian registered aircraft (section 4). The AD imposes several obligations on the parties and entities it governs. Aircraft operators must ensure that the specified brake parts are inspected for wear and, if necessary, replaced or reworked as per the FAA’s technical requirements. This includes carrying out the mandated actions in compliance with the requirement document, which details the precise steps and procedures for inspection and replacement or rework. Operators must also ensure that these actions are completed by the revised effective date to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the AD may result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement actions against non-compliant aircraft operators, which could include grounding the aircraft until compliance is achieved. In more severe cases, there may be criminal or civil penalties imposed, although the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself. The potential penalties for non-compliance could include fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the court.