Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, are designed to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation within Australia. One particular aspect of these regulations, as seen in PART 39 - 105, is the schedule of airworthiness directives, which are specific rules and requirements designed to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft. This piece of legislation was introduced to address the need for continuous safety updates and compliance in civil aviation, particularly for aircraft like the Boeing 747 series. The directive AD/B747/185, effective from 22 July 1998, mandates a one-time visual inspection and necessary corrective actions for the wiring Teflon sleeving in the main fuel tank boost pumps of Boeing 747 aircraft. This action was taken in response to reports of missing Teflon sleeves, which are critical for protecting the wiring insulation from damage. The overall policy objective of these regulations is to ensure that all aircraft meet the highest safety standards, thus protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the civil aviation system.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives concerning Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes, applies to all Model 747 aircraft in line positions 0001 to 1145 inclusive. This regulation mandates a one-time visual inspection to ensure the installation of Teflon sleeves over the electrical wires to the boost pumps within the conduits in the numbers 1 and 4 main fuel tanks. This directive aligns with Boeing Message M-7200-98-01080, dated 18 March 1998, and requires compliance within 60 days from the effective date of 22 July 1998, and before the next flight following the inspection. The directive separates from AD/B747/171 Amdt 3 for clarity and to align with the Federal Aviation Administration's ADs. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this particular directive, and its application is limited to the specified model and serial range of Boeing 747 aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR) in PART 39 - 105 mandate specific safety directives for Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes, particularly regarding the main fuel tank boost pump wiring Teflon sleeving. The directive AD/B747/185 applies to all Model 747 aircraft line positions 0001 to 1145 inclusive. The primary requirement (section 1) is a one-time visual inspection to confirm the installation of Teflon sleeves over the electrical wires to the boost pumps in the main fuel tanks. This inspection should be conducted in accordance with Boeing Message M-7200-98-01080, dated 18 March 1998. If a Teflon sleeve is missing, further inspection for wire damage is necessary. If damage is detected, the conduits should be inspected; if no damage is found, the missing Teflon sleeve should be installed. In the case of damaged wiring, the wiring must be replaced and a Teflon sleeve installed. If conduit damage is found, both the wiring and the conduit should be replaced, and a Teflon sleeve must be installed. The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties or entities it governs include ensuring compliance with the specified inspection and corrective actions within a defined timeframe. Specifically, compliance must be achieved within 60 days of the directive's effective date, which is 22 July 1998, and corrective actions must be completed before the next flight following the initial inspection. This ensures that all necessary measures to safeguard the integrity of the electrical wiring and prevent potential hazards are undertaken promptly. Failure to comply with the provisions of this airworthiness directive can result in significant legal and operational consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement action against operators or owners of non-compliant aircraft, which could include fines, operational restrictions, or grounding of the aircraft. The severity of the penalties is determined based on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but the regulations do not specify maximum penalties in this particular directive. However, general aviation safety regulations provide for substantial fines and potential criminal charges for serious breaches that result in safety hazards.