COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/215 Engine Thrust Links PW4000 Powered Aircraft
12/99
Applicability: Boeing 747-400 series aircraft powered by Pratt and Whitney PW4000 series engines.
Requirement: 1. For Group 1 aircraft, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-71A2283, carry out a detailed visual inspection of the engine thrust link components in accordance with the alert service bulletin, Work Package 1.
Rectify any discrepancy or damage found during this inspection prior to further flight.
2. For Group 1 aircraft, replace the existing end cap and end cap bolts of the forward engine mount end cap assembly with improved end cap and end cap bolts in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-71A2283, Work Package 2.
Compliance with Requirement 2 constitutes terminating action for this airworthiness directive for Group 1 aircraft.
3. For Group 2 aircraft, replace the existing end cap bolts with improved end cap bolts in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-71A2283, Work Package 3.
4. End cap, P/No 310T3026-1 shall not be installed as a replacement part on Australian registered Boeing 747 aircraft.
Note: FAA AD 99-11-12 refers.
Compliance: 1. Unless previously accomplished, carry out an initial inspection within 500 hours time in service after the effective date of this airworthiness directive.
Thereafter, re-inspect at intervals not to exceed 5000 hours time in service or 15 months whichever occurs first.
2. (a) Prior to accumulating 16,000 flight cycles on any engine or within 500 hours time in service after the effective date of this airworthiness directive whichever occurs later, but no later than three years after the effective date of this airworthiness directive.
(b) Prior to further flight if rectification of any damage or discrepancy is required as a result of the inspection per Requirement 1.
3. No later than three years after the effective date of this airworthiness directive.
4. As of the effective date of this airworthiness directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 2 December 1999.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Background: This AD is prompted by reports of forward engine mount end cap bolt fatigue failures. End cap bolt failure could result in failure of the end cap assembly which, in the event of a primary thrust link failure, could lead to separation of an engine from the aircraft.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES, addresses safety concerns related to Boeing 747 Series aeroplanes powered by Pratt and Whitney PW4000 engines. Enacted by the Australian Government, this legislation aims to rectify issues identified in the forward engine mount end cap bolt and thrust link components, which could lead to engine separation in the event of a failure. This Airworthiness Directive, effective from 2 December 1999, establishes specific requirements for visual inspections, component replacements, and prohibits the installation of certain parts to mitigate risks associated with bolt fatigue and thrust link failures.
The policy objective underpinning this directive is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring that aircraft meet stringent airworthiness standards, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the public. The directive mandates detailed inspections and component replacements for Boeing 747-400 series aircraft powered by PW4000 engines to address the critical safety issue of potential engine detachment due to end cap bolt fatigue. Compliance with these directives is essential for maintaining the airworthiness of affected aircraft and ensuring safe operations in Australian airspace.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, applies to the maintenance and operation of Boeing 747-400 series aircraft powered by Pratt and Whitney PW4000 series engines, within the jurisdiction of the Australian Commonwealth. This regulation pertains to ensuring the airworthiness of these aircraft through mandated inspections and rectifications. The directive outlines specific requirements for visual inspections and replacements of engine thrust link components and end cap bolts, as detailed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-71A2283, to mitigate the risk of engine separation due to end cap bolt fatigue failures. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory, with initial inspections required within a certain timeframe after the directive's effective date and subsequent inspections at specified intervals or flight cycle limits. Additionally, certain parts are prohibited from installation on Australian registered Boeing 747 aircraft. The regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and compliance is essential for the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 – 105, require specific actions to be taken for Boeing 747-400 series aircraft powered by Pratt and Whitney PW4000 series engines, as outlined in Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B747/215. These requirements are designed to ensure the safety of aircraft operations by addressing potential issues with engine thrust links and the forward engine mount end cap assembly. For Group 1 aircraft, identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-71A2283, a detailed visual inspection of the engine thrust link components is necessary (Requirement 1). Any discrepancies or damages found must be rectified before further flight. Additionally, the existing end cap and end cap bolts of the forward engine mount end cap assembly must be replaced with improved versions (Requirement 2). This action constitutes the terminating step for Group 1 aircraft. For Group 2 aircraft, only the end cap bolts need to be replaced with improved ones (Requirement 3). Furthermore, the end cap P/No 310T3026-1 must not be used as a replacement part on Australian registered Boeing 747 aircraft (Requirement 4).
Operators of Boeing 747-400 series aircraft powered by Pratt and Whitney PW4000 series engines must comply with the inspection and replacement requirements outlined in AD/B747/215. The initial inspection must be carried out within 500 hours of time in service after the effective date of the AD. Subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 5000 hours of time in service or 15 months, whichever comes first. For Group 1 aircraft, the replacement of end cap and end cap bolts must be completed within three years of the AD's effective date, or before the aircraft accumulates 16,000 flight cycles on any engine, whichever occurs later. For Group 2 aircraft, the replacement of end cap bolts must also be completed within three years of the AD's effective date. The prohibition on installing the end cap P/No 310T3026-1 as a replacement part must be adhered to as of the AD's effective date.
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/B747/215 can lead to serious safety issues, including potential engine separation from the aircraft. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement actions against operators who do not adhere to the directive. Penalties for non-compliance may include fines and other enforcement actions as stipulated under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Operators are urged to strictly follow the AD to ensure the safety of their operations and avoid potential penalties.