AD/B747/115 - Escape Slide/Raft

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safety of aviation in Australia, including the regulation of aircraft airworthiness. Specifically, Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes provisions aimed at addressing safety concerns related to various aircraft models. One such directive, AD/B747/115, was introduced to address issues related to the deployment of escape slides and rafts on Boeing 747-300 and 747-400 series aircraft equipped with BFGoodrich slide/rafts. The directive was necessitated by reports of escape slides inflating slowly, which posed a safety risk, particularly at low ambient temperatures due to high internal regulator friction or low pressure. The aim of this directive is to ensure that these aircraft comply with the technical requirements set out in FAA AD 92-13-12 Amdt 39-8282, thereby preventing delayed inflation and enhancing passenger safety during emergencies. The AD/B747/115 directive requires compliance with the specified technical requirements as outlined in the Requirement Document, with a revised effective date of 10 December 1992 for Australian registered aircraft. This legislative instrument underscores the commitment of CASA to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation by addressing specific safety concerns through detailed regulatory measures. The directive references BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-232, which provides further guidance on the necessary actions to be taken. By implementing these measures, CASA aims to mitigate the risks associated with delayed slide/raft inflation, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, mandate specific safety directives for aircraft operations within Australia, ensuring compliance with international safety standards. This particular regulation, AD/B747/115, targets the Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, specifically models 747-300 and 747-400 equipped with BFGoodrich slide/rafts. It applies to all aircraft registered in Australia and adheres to the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 92-13-12 Amdt 39- 8282, aiming to address issues such as slow inflation of escape slide/rafts due to high internal regulator friction or low pressure at low ambient temperatures. Compliance with this directive is mandatory as specified in the Requirement Document, with an effective date of 10 December 1992 for Australian-registered aircraft. The regulation also references BFGoodrich SB 25-232 for additional guidance. Any further extension or restriction of this application is typically managed through subordinate instruments or amendments to the Civil Aviation Regulations.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, in relation to the Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes, particularly for the escape slide/raft directive (AD/B747/115), are outlined in sections that mandate compliance with specific technical requirements to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its passengers. Section 13/92 specifies the applicability of the directive to Model 747-300 and 747-400 series aeroplanes equipped with BFGoodrich slide/rafts, as detailed in the Requirement Document. The directive mandates actions in accordance with the technical requirements set out in FAA AD 92-13-12 Amdt 39-8282, which includes a reference to BFGoodrich SB 25-232. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved as specified in the Requirement Document, with a revised effective date of 10 December 1992 for Australian registered aircraft. This directive addresses the issue of deployed escape slide/rafts inflating slowly due to high internal regulator friction or low pressure at low ambient temperatures. The obligations imposed by these regulations require operators of the specified Boeing 747 models to adhere strictly to the outlined technical requirements. This includes performing the necessary actions to ensure that the escape slide/rafts function correctly, particularly in preventing delayed inflation. Operators must ensure that all required modifications and inspections are completed in accordance with the FAA AD 92-13-12 Amdt 39-8282 and BFGoodrich SB 25-232. It is crucial that these modifications are made by a certified entity, and that all work is logged and documented appropriately to demonstrate compliance with the directive. Furthermore, operators must ensure that all personnel involved in the modification and inspection processes are adequately trained and qualified to carry out their tasks. Failure to comply with the provisions of these regulations can result in significant consequences. Firstly, non-compliance can lead to the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could result in grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are taken. Secondly, there are potential civil penalties for non-compliance, which can include fines and legal action against the operators. Additionally, failure to adhere to these safety directives can lead to criminal charges, including imprisonment, for those responsible for the oversight and management of the aircraft. The maximum penalties for breaches of these regulations are not explicitly stated in the text, but they can be severe, reflecting the critical nature of ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew on board the aircraft.