COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/211 Upper Rudder Pedal Cover Doubler 11/99
Applicability: Model 747-400 series aircraft, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 27A2378.
Requirement: Conduct initial and repeat inspections in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 99-16-08 Amdt 39-11243.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document for the initial and repetitive inspections, with a revised effective date of 4 November 1999.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 4 November 1999.
Background: The FAA received a report of a disbonded doubler on the upper rudder pedal cover that interfered with rudder pedal movement. This Directive requires initial and repetitive inspections of the doubler to determine whether it is securely bonded to the pedal cover; the Directive also provides for optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, provide the regulatory framework for ensuring the safety of civil aviation in Australia. One specific aspect of these regulations is addressed in PART 39 - 105, which pertains to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The purpose of these directives is to ensure that aircraft, such as the Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes, comply with safety standards to mitigate any potential risks. The specific Airworthiness Directive AD/B747/211, effective from 4 November 1999, was introduced in response to a reported issue with the upper rudder pedal cover doubler of Boeing 747-400 series aircraft. This directive mandates initial and repetitive inspections to confirm the secure bonding of the doubler to prevent any interference with rudder pedal movement, directly addressing a safety concern identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The policy objective is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation operations within Australia by enforcing stringent airworthiness standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Boeing 747-400 series aircraft as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2378, focusing on the upper rudder pedal cover doubler. This regulation is a Commonwealth instrument intended to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia, thereby impacting entities involved in the maintenance, operation, and certification of such aircraft. The scope of this directive extends to mandating initial and repeat inspections of the upper rudder pedal cover doubler in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) AD 99-16-08 Amendment 39-11243 technical requirements. The directive becomes effective from 4 November 1999, following a reported issue where a disbonded doubler interfered with rudder pedal movement. Compliance with the directive is necessary to maintain the structural integrity and operational safety of the aircraft. The directive does not explicitly mention any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but compliance is essential for continued airworthiness under the regulations.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety directives related to airworthiness, with AD/B747/211 focusing on the Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. Section 39 - 105 mandates that operators of the Boeing 747-400 series aircraft, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2378, conduct initial and repeat inspections of the upper rudder pedal cover doubler to ensure it is securely bonded to the pedal cover. This is in response to a reported incident where a disbonded doubler interfered with rudder pedal movement, potentially compromising flight safety. Compliance with the requirements is critical, and these inspections must be performed according to the technical specifications outlined in FAA AD 99-16-08 Amendment 39-11243, with the directive becoming effective from 4 November 1999.
Operators of the affected Boeing 747-400 series aircraft must adhere to stringent obligations set forth by the Airworthiness Directive. These obligations include performing the required inspections at the specified intervals, ensuring all technical requirements are met, and documenting the results of each inspection. The directive emphasises the importance of maintaining the structural integrity of the rudder pedal cover doubler to prevent any operational issues that could arise from a disbonded doubler. Operators must also keep records of all inspections and any actions taken, ensuring traceability and accountability in compliance with aviation safety standards.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/B747/211 can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 stipulate that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines and other financial penalties, while criminal penalties could involve imprisonment for operators or individuals found to be in breach of the regulations. The exact penalties are determined by the severity of the non-compliance and the impact on aviation safety. The regulations are clear in their intent to ensure that all measures are taken to prevent any risk to flight safety arising from the specified issue with the rudder pedal cover doubler.