COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/195 Leading Edge Flaps - Prevention of Uncommanded Retraction
2/99
Applicability: Model 747-400 series aeroplanes, having cumulative line number (C/L) 696 through 1090 inclusive.
Requirement: 1. For Groups 1 and 2 aircraft as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-27A2356, Revision 1, dated 13 August 1998, replace the cam assembly, cam bellcrank assembly and thrust reverser control switch actuator on all four thrust levers with new components in accordance with the reference Boeing Service Bulletin.
2. For Groups 3 and 4 aircraft as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-27A2356, Revision 1, dated 13 August 1998, replace the cam bellcrank assembly and thrust reverser control switch actuator on all four thrust levers with new components in accordance with the reference Boeing Service Bulletin..
Note: FAA AD 98-24-26 amendment 39-10913 refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, within 18 months of the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 25 February 1999.
Background: This Directive is issued to mandate actions deemed necessary to prevent the uncommanded automatic retraction of the leading edge flaps during take-off which would seriously degrade lift off and climb capabilities and could result in near stall conditions.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for civil aviation safety, including specific airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. One such directive, AD/B747/195 issued in 1999, pertains to Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes and specifically addresses the problem of uncommanded retraction of leading edge flaps during take-off. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of such occurrences which could significantly compromise flight safety by degrading lift and potentially leading to near-stall conditions. The directive requires specific maintenance actions on thrust lever components to prevent this issue, reflecting the policy objective of maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 18 months of its effective date, underscoring the importance placed on timely and effective safety measures in the aviation industry.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, govern the safety requirements for civil aviation in Australia and include detailed airworthiness directives that apply to various aircraft models. This particular legislative instrument, AD/B747/195, pertains to Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, specifically targeting those with a cumulative line number (C/L) between 696 and 1090 inclusive. The directive aims to prevent the uncommanded automatic retraction of the leading edge flaps during take-off, which could critically impair an aircraft's performance and potentially lead to dangerous flight conditions. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for aircraft owners and operators within the specified cumulative line number range, requiring specific components to be replaced within 18 months from the directive's effective date of 25 February 1999. The directive's scope is clearly defined, focusing on the replacement of the cam assembly, cam bellcrank assembly, and thrust reverser control switch actuator as per Boeing Service Bulletin 747-27A2356, Revision 1. This legislative instrument extends its application through referencing the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) AD 98-24-26 amendment 39-10913, ensuring alignment with international safety standards.
Key Provisions
The key provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate actions for ensuring the airworthiness of certain Boeing 747-400 series aeroplanes. Section 39 - 105 of the regulations requires the replacement of specific components on the thrust levers to prevent uncommanded retraction of the leading edge flaps during take-off (AD/B747/195). This is particularly applicable to aircraft with cumulative line numbers (C/L) between 696 and 1090 inclusive. The directive specifies that for Groups 1 and 2 aircraft, the cam assembly, cam bellcrank assembly, and thrust reverser control switch actuator on all four thrust levers must be replaced (section 1). For Groups 3 and 4 aircraft, only the cam bellcrank assembly and thrust reverser control switch actuator need to be replaced (section 2).
The obligations imposed by these regulations are clear and require compliance by the relevant parties. Operators of Boeing 747-400 series aeroplanes must ensure that the specified components are replaced in accordance with the directive. This requirement applies unless the specified maintenance actions have already been carried out prior to the effective date of the directive. The directive mandates that compliance must be achieved within 18 months from the date it becomes effective, which is 25 February 1999.
Failure to comply with these provisions can lead to serious consequences. While the specific offences, penalties, and civil or criminal consequences are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives typically results in significant penalties under Australian aviation law. These can include fines, potential grounding of the aircraft, and in severe cases, criminal charges against the responsible parties. The exact penalties would be in line with the broader regulatory framework governing civil aviation safety and could involve substantial financial and operational repercussions for the non-compliant entities.