COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/192 Cabin Attendant’s Panel Switches 13/98
Applicability: Model 747-100, -200 and -300 series aeroplanes having cabin attendant’s panels installed at Doors 1 Right and 3 Right.
Requirement: 1. Replace the passenger entertainment switches and the passenger service system power switches, as applicable, in the cabin attendant’s panels located at Doors 1 Right and 3 Right with new improved switches in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 747-33A2261 Revision 1 dated 4 June 1998.
2. Switches having a part number identified in the ‘Old Switch’ column of any table contained in Boeing ASB 747-33A2261 Revision 1 dated 4 June 1998 shall not be installed in a cabin attendant’s panels located at Doors 1 Right or 3 Right in any aeroplane.
Note: FAA AD 98-20-37 Amdt 39-10804 refers.
Compliance: 1. Prior to 31 January 2000.
2. Subsequent to 30 January 2000.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 December 1998.
Background: The Federal Aviation Administration has received reports indicating that fires have occurred on some Boeing 747 aeroplanes. Investigations have shown that the fires are caused by electrical short circuits resulting from internal failure of passenger entertainment switches and passenger service system power switches in the cabin attendant’s panels.
This directive prevents the installation and use of the old style switch that could short circuit when they fail, consequently causing smoke and fire aboard the aeroplane.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations within Australia. Among its various parts, Part 39 focuses on the airworthiness of aircraft, with specific directives issued to address identified safety concerns. One such directive, AD/B747/192, pertains to the Boeing 747 series aeroplanes and specifically targets issues with cabin attendant’s panel switches. This directive was introduced to address the problem of electrical short circuits in passenger entertainment switches and passenger service system power switches, which have been linked to fires on board certain Boeing 747 aeroplanes. The objective is to mandate the replacement of these potentially hazardous switches with improved versions as per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 747-33A2261 Revision 1, to prevent any future incidents of smoke or fire due to switch failures. Compliance with this directive is essential for maintaining the airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertain to the implementation of Airworthiness Directives by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The legislation applies to Boeing 747-100, -200, and -300 series aeroplanes equipped with cabin attendant's panels at Doors 1 Right and 3 Right. The directive mandates the replacement of passenger entertainment switches and passenger service system power switches in these specific panels with improved versions as outlined in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-33A2261 Revision 1 dated 4 June 1998. Additionally, it prohibits the installation of switches identified in the ‘Old Switch’ column of the specified bulletin in any cabin attendant’s panels. Compliance with this directive must be achieved by 31 January 2000 for existing aeroplanes, with subsequent compliance required post 30 January 2000 for any aeroplanes undergoing modifications. The directive became effective on 3 December 1998, responding to reports of fires caused by electrical short circuits in the affected switches.
Key Provisions
The main sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/B747/192 concerning the Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes, detail the requirements for the replacement of certain switches in the cabin attendant's panels. Section 1 mandates the replacement of passenger entertainment switches and passenger service system power switches in the cabin attendant's panels at Doors 1 Right and 3 Right with new, improved switches, as specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 747-33A2261 Revision 1 dated 4 June 1998. Section 2 prohibits the installation of switches identified in the ‘Old Switch’ column of any table contained in Boeing ASB 747-33A2261 Revision 1 dated 4 June 1998 in the cabin attendant's panels at Doors 1 Right or 3 Right. These provisions aim to address safety concerns related to electrical short circuits that can cause fires.
The obligations imposed on the parties governed by this directive include ensuring that the specified switches are replaced by new, improved ones as per the stipulated Boeing Alert Service Bulletin. This requires careful adherence to the details provided in the bulletin, including the identification of the switches that must be replaced and the prohibition of the use of certain old switches. Compliance with these directives is critical to maintaining the safety standards of the aircraft, necessitating thorough checks and records to demonstrate adherence to the specified requirements.
Failure to comply with these provisions can result in serious consequences. The directive is designed to prevent the installation and use of faulty switches that could potentially lead to electrical short circuits, fires, and other safety hazards. While the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly outline penalties for non-compliance in this particular directive, any breach of airworthiness directives generally could lead to severe civil or criminal consequences. Non-compliance may result in fines, operational restrictions, or even criminal charges for those responsible, as the safety of passengers and crew is paramount in aviation regulations. The specific penalties would be determined based on the severity of the breach and the resulting impact on aviation safety.