COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/22 Escape Slide/Raft Lanyard Assembly - Inspection 3/80
Applicability: All model 747 equipped with escape slide/raft assemblies P/N 7A1238, 7A1239, 7A1255, 7A1256, 7A1257 and 7A1261, manufactured prior to January 1979.
Document: FAA AD 79-18-02, Amdt. 39-3537.
Note: Boeing Alert SB No. 747-25A2467 and B.F. Goodrich Alert SB No. 25-051 refer.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished initially inspect before 1 June 1980 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 1 year.
Background: During slide/raft refurbishment a number of firing lanyard assemblies have been found corroded and/or frayed.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, were enacted to address safety concerns in civil aviation, ensuring that aircraft meet the required safety standards. The regulations are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and aim to protect the public by enforcing safety standards and regulations. One such regulation, AD/B747/22, pertains to Boeing 747 series aeroplanes and requires inspection of the escape slide/raft lanyard assembly. This directive was introduced in response to issues identified during refurbishments where corrosion and fraying of the lanyard assemblies were discovered. The objective is to ensure that these critical components are regularly inspected and maintained, thereby preventing potential safety hazards during emergency evacuations.
This specific regulation applies to all model 747 aircraft equipped with certain escape slide/raft assemblies manufactured prior to January 1979. The requirement is for an initial inspection before 1 June 1980 and subsequent inspections at intervals not exceeding one year. The directive references FAA AD 79-18-02, Amendment 39-3537, and notes related Boeing and B.F. Goodrich service bulletins, SB No. 747-25A2467 and SB No. 25-051 respectively, to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as outlined in the legislative instrument F2006B03120, apply to all Boeing 747 series aeroplanes equipped with specific escape slide/raft assemblies, namely P/N 7A1238, 7A1239, 7A1255, 7A1256, 7A1257, and 7A1261, which were manufactured prior to January 1979. These regulations mandate a comprehensive inspection of the escape slide/raft lanyard assembly to ensure airworthiness and safety, as specified in AD/B747/22. The inspection is required unless already performed initially, before 1 June 1980, and must then be repeated at intervals not exceeding one year. This directive applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The regulations do not specify any exclusions or exemptions but are subject to amendments and extensions through subordinate instruments as necessary to maintain safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outline the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft, including the Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. Under this legislation, AD/B747/22 mandates the inspection of escape slide/raft lanyard assemblies for certain models of Boeing 747 aeroplanes (sections 39-105 and AD/B747/22). This directive applies to all Boeing 747 models equipped with specific escape slide/raft assembly parts numbers (P/N 7A1238, 7A1239, 7A1255, 7A1256, 7A1257, and 7A1261) manufactured prior to January 1979. The requirement stems from issues identified during refurbishments where lanyard assemblies were found to be corroded or frayed, posing a safety risk during emergency evacuations.
The obligations imposed by this directive include conducting an initial inspection before 1 June 1980 and subsequent inspections at intervals not exceeding one year. Operators of the affected aircraft must ensure that the escape slide/raft lanyard assemblies are inspected by qualified personnel to verify their integrity and functionality. This requirement is crucial to maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring that emergency evacuation equipment is reliable and effective in an emergency. Compliance with these inspection intervals ensures that any degradation or damage to the lanyard assemblies is identified and rectified promptly.
Failure to comply with the inspection requirements stipulated in AD/B747/22 can result in significant consequences. The regulations do not explicitly outline the penalties or consequences for non-compliance; however, the overarching principle is that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to severe civil and criminal penalties. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in fines, imprisonment, or both. The specific penalties are determined based on the severity of the breach and the potential risk to public safety. It is imperative for operators to adhere strictly to these directives to avoid such adverse outcomes and to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety.