AD/B747/156 - Door 2 Escape Slide/Raft

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses safety directives concerning civil aviation operations within Australia. This legislative instrument, known as AD/B747/156, was introduced to ensure the airworthiness of Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the escape slide/raft system on Door 2. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, the objective of this directive is to mandate modifications to the escape slide/raft to comply with BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 7A1255-25-275, thereby enhancing safety in the event of an emergency evacuation. This directive applies to Model 747SP series aircraft equipped with BFGoodrich evacuation systems, as identified in the referenced service bulletin. The requirement is to modify the escape slide/raft on Door 2 to ensure it inflates automatically after deployment onto the wing, a critical safety measure following reports of non-automatic inflation. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with the deadline set for 31 December 1998.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulates the airworthiness of aircraft in Australia, and this regulation applies specifically to Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. The applicability of this directive, AD/B747/156, is confined to Model 747SP series aircraft equipped with BFGoodrich evacuation systems as identified in BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 7A1255-25-275. The requirement outlined in this directive is the modification of the escape slide/raft on Door 2 to ensure it complies with the specifications provided in the referenced service bulletin. The directive notes the relevance of FAA AD 95-24-02 Amendment 39-9434, indicating a collaborative approach between CASA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in addressing safety concerns. Compliance with this directive must be achieved before 31 December 1998, reflecting the urgency and critical nature of the safety issue at hand. The background provided highlights an incident where a Door 2 escape slide/raft failed to inflate automatically after deployment, underscoring the importance of these safety measures in ensuring passenger safety during emergency evacuations.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, mandate modifications to Boeing 747 series aircraft equipped with BFGoodrich evacuation systems. This directive, AD/B747/156, focuses on the escape slide/raft installed on Door 2. The requirement is to modify this escape slide/raft in line with the specifications outlined in BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 7A1255-25-275. This directive references FAA AD 95-24-02 Amendment 39-9434, which provides further detail on the modification process. The changes are to be implemented on model 747SP series aircraft only, and the compliance deadline is set for 31 December 1998. These regulations impose a clear obligation on the owners and operators of affected Boeing 747 series aircraft to ensure that the specified modifications to the escape slide/raft on Door 2 are carried out in accordance with the BFGoodrich Service Bulletin. The modifications are necessary to address an issue where the escape slide/raft did not inflate automatically after deployment, a safety concern identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Operators must verify that the modifications are implemented correctly and that the aircraft meet the updated safety standards before resuming operations. Failure to comply with the directives set forth in the Civil Aviation Regulations can result in significant legal and financial consequences. Operators who do not adhere to the specified modification requirements by the compliance date may face enforcement actions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The penalties for non-compliance can include fines, operational restrictions, or even grounding of the affected aircraft until the necessary modifications are completed. The exact penalties are determined based on the severity of the breach and the potential risk posed to aviation safety. Additionally, non-compliance may also lead to civil or criminal liability for the operators. Civil penalties can include substantial fines, while criminal penalties might involve imprisonment depending on the nature and impact of the non-compliance. It is essential for operators to take these regulations seriously and ensure timely compliance to avoid such severe consequences. The regulations are designed to enhance aviation safety and mandate strict adherence to avoid any risk to passengers and crew.