AD/B747/217 - E-42 Satellite Communications Rack - 2

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety and airworthiness of aircraft through the issuance of specific directives. The legislation was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to ensure that all aircraft operated within Australian airspace adhere to stringent safety standards. This legislative instrument, AD/B747/217, targets Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes, specifically addressing issues with the E-42 Satellite Communications Rack. The problem it aims to resolve involves reported instances of fatigue cracking and broken or missing fasteners on the E-42 SATCOM equipment rack, which poses a potential risk to the structural integrity of the aircraft. The directive mandates compliance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 99-14-04 Amdt 39-11212, ensuring these aircraft meet the necessary safety standards. The Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 10 November 1999, with a revised compliance date of 10 December 1999, underscoring the urgency and importance of addressing these safety concerns. The policy objective is to maintain the highest possible safety standards in civil aviation by ensuring that all aircraft are regularly inspected and maintained to prevent potential structural failures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) that pertains to Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to Model 747-300 series aircraft that are identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2428 dated December 17, 1998, and Model 747-400 series aircraft that are equipped with a Boeing-installed E-42 satellite communications (SATCOM) rack. The AD mandates compliance with the technical requirements set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) AD 99-14-04 Amendment 39-11212, and requires initial and repeat inspections according to the specified requirements document. The directive became effective on November 10, 1999, with a revised effective date for compliance set at December 10, 1999. Notably, this directive does not cover Flight Structures type E-42 SATCOM rack installations, which are instead addressed by AD/B747/213. The directive arises from reports of fatigue cracking and broken or missing fasteners on the E-42 SATCOM equipment rack structure, which attaches to the fuselage structure, with investigations revealing significant structural failures on certain aircraft models.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives that apply to various aircraft models, including Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/B747/217, pertains to the E-42 Satellite Communications Rack - 2 on certain Boeing 747-300 and -400 series aircraft. This directive (section 13/99) applies to Model 747-300 series aircraft listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2428, dated December 17, 1998, and Model 747-400 series aircraft equipped with a Boeing-installed E-42 satellite communications (SATCOM) rack. Notably, this directive does not cover Flight Structures type E-42 SATCOM rack installations, which are instead addressed by AD/B747/213. The directive mandates actions in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 99-14-04 Amdt 39-11212. Compliance is to be achieved as specified in the requirement document for both the initial and repeat inspections, with a revised effective date of 10 December 1999. This Airworthiness Directive became effective on 10 November 1999. The directive responds to reports of fatigue cracking, broken, and/or missing fasteners found on the E-42 SATCOM equipment rack structure that attaches to the fuselage structure on several Model 747-300 and -400 series aircraft. An investigation revealed that one of the four stanchions was completely broken on two aircraft. Under this directive, the obligations for the relevant parties include adhering to the specified technical requirements outlined in the FAA AD 99-14-04 Amdt 39-11212. This involves ensuring that the E-42 SATCOM rack on the applicable aircraft is inspected and maintained in accordance with the provided requirement document. The inspections must be conducted with an initial compliance date of 10 December 1999, and further inspections must follow as specified in the document. Failure to comply with these directives can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding and other regulatory actions. Breach of these airworthiness directives can have serious consequences. Although the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly outline penalties for non-compliance in this specific directive, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties can include fines, and in severe cases, criminal penalties can apply, which may result in imprisonment. The specific penalties would depend on the severity of the non-compliance and any resulting safety incidents or hazards.