AD/B747/110 - Doorstop Support Fitting

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, was enacted by the Australian Government to regulate civil aviation safety and ensure that all aircraft meet airworthiness standards. One such regulation, AD/B747/110, pertains to Boeing 747 Series aeroplanes, addressing a specific safety concern related to doorstop support fittings. This directive was introduced to address the problem of cracks in certain doorstop fittings at the forward edge of the number 5 main entry doors on Boeing 747 aircraft, as identified in FAA AD 92-02-01 Amendment 39-8137. The policy objective of this legislation, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, is to ensure that ongoing repetitive inspections are conducted until the specified terminating action is implemented, thus maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, encompassing line numbers 001 through 113. This legislative instrument mandates that these aircraft must comply with the technical requirements outlined in the Federal Aviation Administration's AD 92-02-01 Amendment 39-8137, which addresses the issue of cracks in the doorstop fittings at the forward edge of the number 5 main entry doors. Compliance with the directive necessitates actions that align with the specified requirements, with reference to Boeing ASB 747-53A2326. The ongoing requirement for repetitive inspections ensures continued airworthiness until a terminating action is implemented. This regulation extends to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniform standards and safety across the aviation industry within the nation's jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, concerning Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, are specified in the Airworthiness Directive AD/B747/110. Section 39-105 (1) sets forth the applicability of this directive to Model 747 series aeroplanes, specifically line numbers 001 through 113. It mandates compliance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 92-02-01 Amendment 39-8137. The requirement (Section 39-105 (2)) is that any necessary action must align with these technical specifications, and Boeing ASB 747-53A2326 is referenced for further details. Compliance is to be achieved as specified in the Requirement Document (Section 39-105 (3)). The Civil Aviation Regulations impose several obligations on the parties and entities governed by this Act. Firstly, operators of Boeing 747 series aeroplanes must ensure that the specified technical requirements of FAA AD 92-02-01 Amendment 39-8137 are strictly adhered to. This includes performing ongoing repetitive inspections on the doorstop fittings at the forward edge of the number 5 main entry doors. These inspections must be conducted in accordance with the requirements outlined in the directive. Additionally, operators must maintain accurate and comprehensive records of all inspections and any actions taken, ensuring that these records are readily available for review by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive AD/B747/110 can result in severe consequences. Under Section 90.1 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives is an offence. Such breaches may lead to civil penalties, including fines of up to $33,000 for individuals and $165,000 for corporations. Furthermore, the operation of a non-compliant aircraft can result in criminal charges, potentially leading to imprisonment for up to two years for individuals and a fine of up to $165,000 for corporations. The severity of these penalties underscores the importance of strict adherence to the requirements set forth in the directive.