COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/158 Fuel Shut-Off Valve Wiring 6/96
Applicability: This Directive is applicable to Model 747-400 series aircraft, with line positions 696 through 1046 inclusive, with the exception of line position 722 and 1035.
Requirement: Replace the fuel shut-off valve wire and sleeve in each engine strut conduit with a wire in two non-metallic sleeves in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-28A2186 dated 19 January 1995.
Wire replacements accomplished prior to 23 May 1996, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2157 dated 12 January 1995 or Revision 1 dated 3 August 1995, are considered acceptable for compliance with this requirement.
Note: FAA AD 96-03-14 Amdt 39-9511 refers.
Compliance: Prior to 23 May 1997.
Background: The FAA has received reports of additional occurrences of chafing and shorting of the engine fuel shut-off valve wiring since AD 89-14-04 Amdt 39-6246 was issued. The chafing and subsequent shorting of the wiring could result in the flight crews' inability to shut off the fuel supply in the event of an engine fire. Actions required by this Directive are designed to decrease the likelihood of wire chafing occurring.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, is a comprehensive piece of legislation enacted by the Parliament of Australia to regulate civil aviation safety across the country. Among its many provisions, Part 39 specifically addresses Airworthiness Directives (ADs), which are legally binding instructions issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure that aircraft meet minimum safety standards. The problem or gap addressed by this particular AD, AD/B747/158, is the recurring issue of chafing and shorting of the engine fuel shut-off valve wiring in Boeing 747-400 series aircraft. This issue poses a significant safety risk, potentially preventing flight crews from shutting off the fuel supply in the event of an engine fire. The policy objective of this directive is to mitigate such risks by mandating the replacement of the fuel shut-off valve wiring with a configuration that reduces the likelihood of chafing and shorting.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular AD, AD/B747/158, applies to Boeing 747-400 series aircraft with specific line positions, excluding line positions 722 and 1035. The directive requires the replacement of the fuel shut-off valve wire and sleeve in each engine strut conduit with a wire in two non-metallic sleeves, following Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-28A2186 dated 19 January 1995. Aircraft that have completed wire replacements before 23 May 1996 in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2157 dated 12 January 1995 or its revision dated 3 August 1995 are considered compliant. The directive is aimed at preventing chafing and shorting of the engine fuel shut-off valve wiring, which could impair the flight crew's ability to shut off fuel supply during an engine fire. Compliance with this directive is mandatory before 23 May 1997.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, contains specific directives related to airworthiness, including the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B747/158 (sections 39 - 105). This particular directive applies to Boeing 747-400 series aircraft with line positions ranging from 696 to 1046, excluding line positions 722 and 1035. The directive mandates the replacement of the fuel shut-off valve wire and sleeve in each engine strut conduit with a wire enclosed in two non-metallic sleeves, as specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-28A2186 dated 19 January 1995. Additionally, wire replacements performed before 23 May 1996, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2157 dated 12 January 1995 or its Revision 1 dated 3 August 1995, are deemed acceptable for compliance with this directive. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 96-03-14 Amdt 39-9511 is referenced in this context.
The obligations imposed by this directive are quite specific and technical. Aircraft operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the fuel shut-off valve wiring in the affected aircraft is replaced with the specified non-metallic sleeves. This is to mitigate the risk of chafing and shorting, which could prevent flight crews from shutting off the fuel supply in the event of an engine fire. The directive underscores the necessity of adhering to the timelines and specifications provided by Boeing and the FAA to maintain the safety standards of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this Airworthiness Directive can lead to significant consequences. Non-compliance could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which would prevent it from being operated. The severity of the issue, given the potential for a complete loss of fuel shut-off capability, means that regulatory bodies take any breaches very seriously. Although the Civil Aviation Regulations do not specify maximum penalties for non-compliance in this particular context, the potential ramifications include hefty fines, operational bans, and other regulatory sanctions that could severely impact the operator’s ability to conduct flights. The overarching aim is to ensure that all aircraft maintain the highest standards of safety and reliability.