COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/104 Door 3 Evacuation System 3/92
Applicability: Model 747 series; equipped with BF Goodrich single-piece ramp/slide, part numbers 7A1418-1 through -16 inclusive, for Door 3 evacuation system.
Requirement: Modify the regulator assembly, P/N 4A3474-1 (a sub-assembly of reservoir assembly P/N 4A3416-1), to the P/N 4A3474-2 or 4A3474-3 configuration, by installing improved internal components in accordance with paragraph 2 (Accomplishment Instructions) of BF Goodrich Service Bulletin No 4A3416-25-233, dated
14 December 1990; or Revision 1, dated 1 October 1991.
Re-identify the Door 3 ramp/slide in accordance with paragraph 3.B (Identification) of BF Goodrich Service Bulletin No 4A3416-25-233, dated 14 December 1990; or Revision 1, dated 1 October 1991.
Note: FAA AD 91-25-02 Amdt 39-8103 refers.
Compliance: Prior to 6 March 1993.
Background: Reports have been received of delayed regulator function during ramp/slide deployment. This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of use of the Door 3 evacuation system by passengers and crew during an emergency evacuation. The compliance time required by the FAA is extended by two months.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, are intended to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. This particular legislative instrument, known as AD/B747/104, pertains to the Boeing 747 series aeroplanes and specifically addresses the issue of delayed regulator function during ramp/slide deployment for the Door 3 evacuation system. This problem was identified to potentially result in the loss of use of the evacuation system by passengers and crew during emergency situations. The compliance requirement for these safety modifications was set prior to 6 March 1993, with an extension from the Federal Aviation Administration’s compliance deadline. The objective is to enhance the safety of air travel by ensuring that all specified modifications are implemented to mitigate risks associated with the evacuation system.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses airworthiness directives for aircraft, including the Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. This regulation mandates modifications to the Door 3 evacuation system for Boeing 747 models equipped with BF Goodrich single-piece ramp/slide, part numbers 7A1418-1 through -16 inclusive. The requirement entails altering the regulator assembly, P/N 4A3474-1, to either P/N 4A3474-2 or 4A3474-3, utilising improved internal components as detailed in BF Goodrich Service Bulletin No 4A3416-25-233 dated 14 December 1990, or Revision 1 dated 1 October 1991, and re-identifying the Door 3 ramp/slide according to the same service bulletin. This directive aims to rectify reports of delayed regulator function during ramp/slide deployment, which could compromise the evacuation system's functionality during an emergency. Compliance with this airworthiness directive is mandated before 6 March 1993, extending the Federal Aviation Administration's compliance period by two months.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, under the schedule of airworthiness directives, specifically addresses the Boeing 747 series aeroplanes with reference to Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B747/104 concerning the Door 3 evacuation system. This directive mandates modifications to the regulator assembly, identified by part number 4A3474-1, which is a sub-assembly of the reservoir assembly, P/N 4A3416-1. The directive requires this assembly to be modified to either the 4A3474-2 or 4A3474-3 configuration, achieved by installing improved internal components as outlined in paragraph 2 of BF Goodrich Service Bulletin No 4A3416-25-233 dated 14 December 1990, or its Revision 1 dated 1 October 1991. Additionally, the directive requires the re-identification of the Door 3 ramp/slide, which is to be conducted in accordance with paragraph 3.B of the same service bulletin. These modifications are crucial to prevent delayed regulator function during ramp/slide deployment, a condition that could compromise the efficacy of the Door 3 evacuation system during emergency evacuations.
Entities governed by these regulations must ensure compliance with the modifications specified in AD/B747/104. This entails verifying that the specified components are correctly identified and that the modifications to the regulator assembly are performed as per the provided service bulletin. The regulations also require that the modifications be completed before a specified compliance date, which in this instance is 6 March 1993. The compliance date is extended by two months from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directive AD 91-25-02 Amdt 39-8103, which is referenced in the directive. This extension allows additional time for operators to implement the necessary changes and ensures that all affected aircraft meet the required safety standards.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/B747/104 can lead to significant legal and safety consequences. The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may impose penalties on operators who fail to adhere to the airworthiness directives. These penalties can include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft operating certificates, and other enforcement actions deemed necessary to ensure compliance. In severe cases, continued operation of non-compliant aircraft can result in criminal charges, particularly if the non-compliance leads to safety incidents or accidents. The severity of the penalties reflects the critical importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to maintain the safety of passengers and crew.