AD/B747/214 Amdt 3 - Thrust Reverser Checks

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Legislation au F2006B03114 In force Legislative Instrument

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AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B747/214 Amdt 2 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

 

Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes

 

AD/B747/214

Amdt 3


Thrust Reverser Checks 7/2002

 

Applicability: Model 747-100B, -200, -300 and 747SP series aeroplanes, equipped with Rolls Royce RB211-524B2, C2 and D4 engines as listed in the following Service Bulletins:

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-78A2148 dated 1 June 1995; and Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78A2148, Revision 1 dated 20 July 1995; and Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78-2136 dated 11 May 1995; and

Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78-2156 dated 31 October 1996.

 

Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78-2156 Revision 1 dated 30 August 2001.

 

Requirement: Unless already modified in accordance with Requirement 4, carry out all of the following requirements. Aeroplanes modified in accordance with Requirement 4 remain subject to the requirements and repeat inspections specified in Requirements 5, 6 & 7.

 

  1. Carryout and successfully accomplish the applicable inspections and tests of the thrust reverser control and indication system on each engine in accordance with Part III.A through III.G of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-78A2148, or Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78A2148 Revision 1.

 

2.        Repeat and successfully accomplish the inspections and tests of Requirement 1.

 

3.        (a) If tests and inspections of Requirement 1 or 2 cannot be successfully carried out as specified in the referenced service bulletin, or if any discrepancy is detected during any inspection or test, repair the thrust reverser in accordance with Boeing Alert SB 747-78A2148 or Boeing SB747-78A2148 Revision 1.

(b)     Any failed Requirement 1 or 2 inspection or test must be repeated and successfully accomplished.

 

4.        Install an additional locking system on the thrust reversers in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78-2156 initial revision or Revision 1. Prior to or concurrent with accomplishment of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78-2156, accomplish Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78-2136, and Rolls Royce Service Bulletins RB211-71-B545, Revision 2, RB211-71- B551, Revision 1 and RB211-78-B552.

 

5.        Carryout and successfully accomplish operational checks of the number 2 and number 3 gearbox locks and the air motor brake in accordance with the procedures described in Appendix 1 to FAA AD 2000-01-05 Amendment 39- 11502.

6.        Repeat and successfully accomplish operational checks of Requirement 5.

 

7.        (a) If any of the operational checks required by Requirement 5 or 6 cannot be successfully carried out as specified in Appendix 1 to FAA AD 2000-01-05, or any discrepancy is detected during any operational check, repair the thrust reverser in accordance with the procedures specified in the Boeing 747 airplane maintenance manual.

 

(b)     Any failed Requirement 5 or 6 operational check must be repeated and successfully accomplished.

 

Terminating Action

 

Accomplishment of Requirement 4 satisfies the inspections and test requirements in Requirements 1 & 2.

 

Note: FAA AD 2000-01-05 Amendment 39-11502 refers which supersedes FAA AD 99-18-03 amendment 39-11269 (the FAA AD that caused the original AD/B747/214 to be raised).

 

Compliance: For Requirement 1: Unless previously accomplished, within 90 days from 4 October

2001.

 

For Requirement 2: At intervals not to exceed 18 months time in service until requirement 4 is accomplished.

For Requirement 3: (a)  Prior to further flight.

(b) Prior to further flight.

For Requirement 4: Within 36 months from 4 October 2001.

For Requirement 5: Within 3000 flight hours after accomplishment of requirement 4 or 1000 flight hours after 4 October 2001, whichever occurs later.

 

For Requirement 6: At intervals not to exceed 3000 flight hours. For Requirement 7: (a)              Prior to further flight.

(b) Prior to further flight.

 

This Amendment becomes effective on 11 July 2002.

 

Background: The original and Amendment 1 issue of this Directive was raised to ensure the integrity of the fail safe features of the thrust reverser system were maintained by preventing possible failure modes which could result in inadvertent deployment of a thrust reverser during flight. Amendment 2 was issued to reflect the latest issue of Boeing SB 747-78-2156 but did not add aircraft or require more work on aircraft changed in accordance with the original issue of the service bulletin. This amendment has been issued to include minor editorial changes and to transfer Note 1 into a positive terminating action paragraph.

 

The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 2 December 1999.

Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 13 July 2000. Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 4 Oct 2000.


 

James Coyne

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 30 May 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 June 2002.

Overview

The Airworthiness Directive AD/B747/214 Amdt 3 was issued in 2002 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety concerns associated with the thrust reverser systems in certain Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. This amendment revoked the previous version of the AD and introduced new requirements to ensure the integrity of the thrust reverser system and prevent potential failures that could lead to inadvertent deployment during flight. The directive applies to Boeing 747-100B, -200, -300, and 747SP series aeroplanes equipped with specific Rolls Royce RB211 engines, as referenced in several Boeing Service Bulletins. The primary objective of this directive is to mandate inspections, tests, repairs, and additional locking systems on the thrust reversers to maintain airworthiness standards and ensure the safety of the aircraft in operation. The directive outlines specific timelines and operational checks that must be followed to comply with the new requirements.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive AD/B747/214 Amdt 3 issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, namely the Model 747-100B, -200, -300 and 747SP series, equipped with Rolls Royce RB211-524B2, C2 and D4 engines. This legislation mandates particular thrust reverser checks to ensure the integrity of the fail-safe features of the thrust reverser system, preventing possible failure modes that could lead to inadvertent deployment during flight. The AD encompasses the inspections, tests, and repairs outlined in specific Boeing service bulletins and requires compliance within specified timeframes. Although the AD applies nationally across Australia, its enforcement and specific compliance details are managed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The AD does not explicitly outline exclusions or exemptions, but it is implied that the directives apply only to the specified models and engines, and compliance is contingent on adherence to the referenced service bulletins and instructions.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B747/214 Amdt 3, issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), applies to Boeing 747-100B, -200, -300, and 747SP series aeroplanes equipped with specific Rolls Royce engines, as listed in the referenced Boeing Service Bulletins (sections 2-4). The AD mandates specific actions to address safety concerns related to the thrust reverser control and indication systems of these aircraft. Operators must conduct inspections, tests, and repairs as outlined in the various service bulletins to ensure the safety of the aircraft during operation (sections 5-7). Successful completion of these actions is required within specified timeframes, with some actions needing to be performed prior to further flight (section 8). Operators of the specified Boeing 747 series aeroplanes must adhere to the detailed inspection, test, and repair procedures outlined in the AD. This includes conducting inspections and tests of the thrust reverser control and indication system on each engine as specified in the Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-78A2148 or Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78A2148 Revision 1 (section 5). If discrepancies are found during these inspections, repairs must be made as per the relevant Boeing Service Bulletins. Additionally, operators must install an additional locking system on the thrust reversers and complete operational checks of the gearbox locks and air motor brake (sections 6 and 7). These requirements must be fulfilled within the specified timeframes outlined in the AD (section 8). Failure to comply with the AD and its requirements can result in civil and criminal consequences. Specifically, non-compliance with the AD could lead to the grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections, tests, and repairs are completed. This can incur significant financial and operational penalties for the operator. Additionally, under section 11 of the CAR 1998, failure to comply with an AD can result in fines of up to $10,500 per occurrence and potential imprisonment for up to two years for individuals, and fines of up to $52,500 for corporations (section 12). The AD specifies a series of compliance timelines for the required actions. For Requirement 1, inspections and tests must be completed within 90 days from 4 October 2001. Requirement 2 must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 18 months until Requirement 4 is accomplished. Requirement 4 must be completed within 36 months from 4 October 2001. Operational checks in Requirements 5 and 6 must be performed within 3000 flight hours after Requirement 4 or 1000 flight hours after 4 October 2001, whichever is later, and repeated at intervals not exceeding 3000 flight hours. Repairs required by Requirements 3 and 7 must be performed prior to further flight (section 8). Non-compliance with these timelines can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.