COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes

AD/B747/138 Fuselage - Upper Deck Tension Tie BS 780 to BS 940

Applicability: B747 Line No 001 to 203 inclusive.

5/95

Requirement: 1. Perform a detailed visual inspection of the outboard ends of the unmodified upper deck tension ties between BS 780 to BS 940. Inspect in accordance with Boeing SB 747-53-2371.

2. Perform a detailed visual inspection of the outboard ends of the modified upper deck tension ties between BS 780 to BS 940. Inspect in accordance with Boeing SB 747-53-2371.

Note: FAA AD 94-13-06 refers.

Compliance: 1. Unless accomplished within the last 2000 flights, initially inspect the unmodified tension ties within 1000 flights from 27 April 1995.

Reinspect at intervals not exceeding 3000 flights.

2. Initially inspect the modified tension ties before 10000 flights after modification. Reinspect at intervals not exceeding 6000 flights.

Background: Six operators have reported 47 cracked tension ties on 13 aircraft. Tension ties are critical to the continued structural integrity of the aircraft to the extent that failure of more than one tie can result in rapid depressurisation of the aircraft.