COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/184 Auxiliary Power Unit Battery Ground 9/98
Applicability: All Model 747-400 series aeroplanes with line positions 1 through 1092 inclusive.
Requirement: If not previously accomplished, reconfigure the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) grounds to a dual-direct ground, single lug configuration in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2214 dated 19 June 1997.
Note: FAA AD 98-09-29 Amdt 39-10510 refers.
Compliance: Prior to 30 June 1999.
This airworthiness directive becomes effective on 13 August 1998.
Background: The Federal Aviation Administration has advised that several reports have been received of smoke or fire coming from the APU, investigation has revealed that the smoke and fire was caused by battery grounds that were not installed or maintained properly. This directive is intended to prevent overheating and heat damage of the battery grounds.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, establish comprehensive guidelines to ensure the safety and reliability of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation was enacted to address the need for stringent airworthiness standards, thereby mitigating risks associated with civil aviation operations. The regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the broader policy objective of maintaining high safety standards to protect passengers, crew, and the public from aviation-related hazards. One such regulation, AD/B747/184, pertains to the reconfiguration of Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) grounds in Boeing 747-400 series aeroplanes to prevent overheating and heat damage of the battery grounds, following reports of smoke or fire incidents. This airworthiness directive, effective from 13 August 1998, mandates compliance by 30 June 1999, reflecting CASA’s commitment to addressing identified safety issues promptly and effectively.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, apply to all Boeing 747-400 series aeroplanes within line positions 1 through 1092 inclusive. This regulation mandates that operators of these aeroplanes reconfigure the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) grounds to a dual-direct ground, single lug configuration in compliance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2214 dated 19 June 1997. This directive was necessitated by reports of smoke or fire emanating from the APU due to improperly installed or maintained battery grounds, aiming to prevent overheating and subsequent heat damage of the battery grounds. The compliance deadline is set for 30 June 1999, with the directive becoming effective from 13 August 1998, and references the Federal Aviation Administration's AD 98-09-29 Amdt 39-10510 for additional context.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the safety requirements for Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes through Airworthiness Directives (AD). One such directive, AD/B747/184, mandates the reconfiguration of the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) grounds on all Model 747-400 series aeroplanes with line positions 1 through 1092 inclusive (section 39 - 105). This directive requires operators to reconfigure the APU grounds to a dual-direct ground, single lug configuration, as detailed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2214 dated 19 June 1997 (section 39 - 105). This directive references FAA AD 98-09-29 Amdt 39-10510 for further guidance.
The Civil Aviation Regulations impose specific obligations on operators of Boeing 747-400 series aeroplanes. These obligations include ensuring that the APU grounds are reconfigured in accordance with the directive before 30 June 1999 (section 39 - 105). Compliance involves adhering to the precise configuration outlined in the referenced Boeing Alert Service Bulletin, ensuring that the grounds are properly installed and maintained to prevent overheating and heat damage to the battery grounds (section 39 - 105). Operators must also maintain records of compliance and be prepared to demonstrate adherence to the directive upon request.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/B747/184 could lead to significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance within this directive; however, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally could result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include fines, operational restrictions, or other regulatory measures intended to ensure compliance with aviation safety standards. It is critical for operators to adhere strictly to the directive to avoid any potential safety risks or regulatory repercussions.