COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/118
Amdt 1
Cargo Doorway Fitting 14/98
Applicability: Model 747 series aircraft with line numbers 1 though 200; having 7079-T6 aluminium latch support fittings.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 98-18-23 Amdt 39- 10739.
Note: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 747-53A2377, ASB 747-53A2377 Revision 1, and ASB 747-53A2377 Revision 2 refer.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement Document with a revised effective date of 31 December 1998.
This Amendment becomes effective on 31 December 1998.
Background: Reports were received of cracked fittings on two aircraft. Failure of latch support fittings could result in a cargo door opening during flight.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a new FAA AD which requires accomplishment of the previously optional terminating action. The FAA received reports indicating that the repetitive inspections required by the existing AD may not detect cracked fittings in a timely manner.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 27 May 1993.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, were enacted to regulate the safety of civil aviation in Australia and to ensure that aircraft are maintained in an airworthy condition. This legislative instrument, specifically Amendment 1 to Airworthiness Directive AD/B747/118, was introduced to address safety concerns regarding the cargo door fittings of Boeing 747 series aircraft. The directive responds to reports of cracked fittings that could lead to the cargo door opening during flight, a critical safety issue. The objective of this directive is to mandate specific actions to ensure the structural integrity of the cargo door fittings, aligning with the technical requirements set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and addressing the gap identified in the previous optional inspection protocols. This amendment aims to enhance the safety of air travel by enforcing stricter compliance measures, effective from 31 December 1998.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the airworthiness of Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, with a focus on cargo doorway fitting requirements as outlined in AD/B747/118 Amendment 1. This regulation applies to model 747 series aircraft with line numbers 1 through 200 that possess 7079-T6 aluminium latch support fittings. The primary objective of this directive is to mandate specific actions in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 98-18-23 Amendment 39-10739, aiming to mitigate the risk of cargo door failure during flight due to cracked fittings. This directive incorporates references to Boeing Alert Service Bulletins (ASB) 747-53A2377, ASB 747-53A2377 Revision 1, and ASB 747-53A2377 Revision 2. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved as detailed in the Requirement Document, with a compliance date set for 31 December 1998. The directive itself became effective on the same date, responding to reports of cracked fittings on two aircraft and addressing the inadequacies of previous FAA ADs in detecting such issues in a timely manner. The regulation operates within the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing airworthiness standards across the national airspace.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertain to the Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Boeing 747 series aeroplanes (section 105.12). This directive mandates specific actions for model 747 series aircraft with line numbers 1 through 200, and those equipped with 7079-T6 aluminium latch support fittings. The directive requires compliance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 98-18-23 Amendment 39-10739 (section 105.13). This directive aims to address the issue of cracked fittings that could potentially lead to cargo door failure during flight, as reported on two aircraft.
The obligations imposed by this Act require aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to adhere strictly to the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 98-18-23 Amendment 39-10739. Operators must ensure that their aircraft meet the specified criteria and comply with the revised effective date of 31 December 1998. This includes conducting necessary inspections and implementing any required actions as per the directive (section 105.14). Additionally, operators must refer to Boeing Alert Service Bulletins (ASB) 747-53A2377, ASB 747-53A2377 Revision 1, and ASB 747-53A2377 Revision 2 for further guidance and updates.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious safety implications, including the risk of cargo door failure during flight. The Act does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance; however, the implications of such failure can lead to severe consequences under broader civil aviation laws, including potential criminal charges and significant financial penalties (section 105.15). Operators found in breach of these safety regulations may face legal actions, and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to impose sanctions, including grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved.