COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/186
Amdt 1
Rudder Pedal Pushrods 3/99
Applicability: Model 747 series aircraft; as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2368, Revision 2, dated May 28, 1998.
Requirement: Perform a one-time inspection to detect discrepancies of the fasteners that connect the ends of the pushrods to the rudder pedal assemblies, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2368, dated March 26, 1998, Revision 1, dated May 7,
1998, or Revision 2, dated May 28, 1998.
Note: FAA AD 98-13-12 R1 Amdt 39-10930 refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, before 25 June 1999.
This Amendment becomes effective on 25 March 1999.
Background: The FAA received a report from an operator indicating that, on a Model 737-400 series aircraft, during rollout after landing, the captain’s right rudder pedal moved to the full travel position when it was pushed. The pedal failed to return to its normal position after it was released even though the rudder remained in the neutral position. Investigation revealed that the forward end of the pushrod on the right rudder pedal was not connected to the rudder pedal assembly. The nut and washer of the pushrod were found in the lower forward compartment. The cause of the missing hardware has been attributed to incorrect installation during manufacture.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the related FAA AD which was issued to clarify certain procedures and expand applicability.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 10 September 1998.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, form a critical framework governing the safety and operation of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 of these regulations addresses various safety directives to ensure that aircraft meet required airworthiness standards. Among these, the Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes AD/B747/186 Amendment 1, effective from 25 March 1999, targets a significant safety concern regarding the rudder pedal pushrods. This directive was introduced to address a reported incident where the rudder pedal on a Boeing 737-400 series aircraft failed to return to its neutral position after being pushed to full travel, attributed to a manufacturing defect in the pushrod fasteners. The policy objective is to mandate a one-time inspection of the affected aircraft to rectify discrepancies in the pushrod connections, thereby enhancing overall flight safety and compliance with international aviation safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, governs the airworthiness directives for various aircraft, including the Boeing 747 series aeroplanes as outlined in AD/B747/186 Amendment 1. This legislative instrument applies to the Boeing 747 series aircraft, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2368, Revision 2, dated May 28, 1998, requiring a one-time inspection of the fasteners that connect the ends of the pushrods to the rudder pedal assemblies. This inspection must be conducted in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2368, dated March 26, 1998, Revision 1, dated May 7, 1998, or Revision 2, dated May 28, 1998. Compliance with this directive is mandatory unless the inspection has already been performed, and it must be completed before June 25, 1999. The amendment itself became effective on March 25, 1999. This directive is a response to a reported incident where the rudder pedal on a Model 737-400 series aircraft failed to return to its normal position after rollout due to a missing pushrod fastener, which was attributed to incorrect installation during manufacture.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically Section 105, establish the Airworthiness Directives (AD) which are critical for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. In this context, AD/B747/186 Amendment 1 pertains to Boeing 747 series aeroplanes and specifically addresses the rudder pedal pushrods. Section 105 requires a one-time inspection of these fasteners to ensure they connect properly to the rudder pedal assemblies. This inspection must follow the procedures outlined in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2368, Revision 2, dated May 28, 1998. The directive explicitly applies to the Model 747 series aircraft, as listed in the referenced Boeing Alert Service Bulletin.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and straightforward. Aircraft operators must ensure that the specified inspection is carried out. This involves a thorough examination to detect any discrepancies in the fasteners connecting the pushrods to the rudder pedal assemblies. The directive mandates that this inspection be completed before 25 June 1999, unless it has already been performed. This timeframe ensures that all affected aircraft are compliant and meet the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Regulations.
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive could result in severe consequences. The directive underscores the importance of timely adherence to these safety requirements, and non-compliance may lead to civil or criminal penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument, breaches of aviation safety regulations can generally result in substantial fines and potential grounding of the aircraft involved. The safety and integrity of flight operations are paramount, and adherence to these directives is crucial to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members.