COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/105 Engine Strut Power Feeder/Fuel Tube Clearance 3/92
Applicability: As specified in the requirement document. Requirement: Action in accordance with Boeing SB 747-24A2168 R1.
Note: FAA AD T91-20-51 also refers.
Compliance: Phase 1 - prior to 16 March 1992, and thereafter at intervals specified in Boeing SB 747-24A2168 R1 as determined by the results of the Phase inspection.
Phase 2 - Prior to 16 March 1993.
Note: Compliance with Phase 2 constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by Phase 1.
Background: Boeing have advised that a fire in number two engine strut of a Boeing 747-400 has been attributed to a hole in No 2 strut fuel tube caused by electrical arcing resulting from chafing between the fuel tube and the electrical power feeder cable. This condition may exist on other models of Boeing 747 aircraft.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, was enacted to establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addressing safety issues in civil aviation. This legislative instrument was introduced to rectify gaps in ensuring the safety of aircraft operations, particularly concerning the maintenance and compliance with specific directives for different aircraft models. The Civil Aviation (Safety) Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Parliament of Australia, with the overarching policy objective of enhancing aviation safety through the implementation of stringent airworthiness directives.
The Airworthiness Directive AD/B747/105 focuses on Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, specifically addressing the issue of engine strut power feeder/fuel tube clearance to prevent potential fires caused by chafing between the fuel tube and the electrical power feeder cable. This directive mandates compliance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-24A2168 R1 and references the Federal Aviation Administration's AD T91-20-51, ensuring that the identified safety risk is systematically addressed through phased inspections and corrective actions.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Boeing 747 Series aeroplanes and concerns the Engine Strut Power Feeder/Fuel Tube Clearance, as detailed in AD/B747/105. This legislative instrument pertains to the maintenance and safety requirements of these aircraft, targeting the identified issue of potential fire hazards due to chafing between the fuel tube and electrical power feeder cable in the engine strut. The regulation is applicable to all Boeing 747 series aircraft operating within Australia and ensures compliance with the specific action outlined in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-24A2168 R1, as well as referencing Federal Aviation Administration AD T91-20-51 for related compliance. The directive mandates a phased approach to compliance: Phase 1 requires action prior to 16 March 1992 and subsequent inspections at intervals specified by Boeing, while Phase 2 necessitates compliance before 16 March 1993, after which Phase 1 inspections are no longer required. This ensures that all applicable aircraft are subject to the necessary safety measures to mitigate the risk of fire caused by the identified issue.
Key Provisions
The key provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in relation to the Airworthiness Directives for Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes (AD/B747/105), focus on ensuring the safety of the aircraft by addressing the potential risk of fire caused by a specific condition in the engine strut. Section 39-105 of the regulations mandates actions to be taken in response to the identified issue with the engine strut power feeder and fuel tube clearance. This requirement is detailed in Boeing Service Bulletin (SB) 747-24A2168 R1 and references the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Directive (AD) T91-20-51 for additional context.
The directive imposes specific obligations on the operators of Boeing 747 aircraft. Operators must ensure that inspections and necessary corrective actions are conducted in accordance with the Boeing Service Bulletin mentioned. Compliance is divided into two phases: Phase 1 requires inspections and actions before 16 March 1992, followed by subsequent inspections at intervals determined by the results of the initial inspection, as detailed in Boeing SB 747-24A2168 R1. Phase 2 requires compliance prior to 16 March 1993. Importantly, compliance with Phase 2 serves as the terminating action for the repetitive inspections required under Phase 1.
Failure to adhere to the requirements set out in the Airworthiness Directives could result in serious safety risks, including the potential for engine fires. While the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly outline specific penalties for non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives, non-compliance with civil aviation regulations generally can lead to significant consequences. These may include enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), such as fines, operational restrictions, or even grounding of the aircraft. In severe cases, failure to comply with airworthiness directives can result in criminal charges, leading to substantial penalties for both the individual and corporate entities involved.