Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, provide a regulatory framework to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. Enacted by the Parliament of Australia, these regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). They address the need for consistent and stringent safety standards across the civil aviation sector, aiming to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the aviation system. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were introduced to establish a comprehensive regulatory environment that ensures the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations in Australia. This legislation plays a crucial role in implementing safety directives, such as Airworthiness Directives, to mitigate risks and ensure that aircraft meet required safety standards.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, applies specifically to Boeing 747-100, -200, and 747SP series aircraft with line numbers ranging from 1 to 567, which are equipped with aluminium diagonal brace underwing fittings. The directive mandates that these aircraft must undergo inspections and, if necessary, replacement of the taperlock bolts to mitigate risks associated with stress corrosion cracking, as outlined in the FAA AD 2000-03-22 Amdt 39-11582. Compliance with this directive is required to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft. The directive is effective from 18 May 2000, with specified timelines for initial and repetitive inspections and bolt replacement as detailed in the FAA AD and Boeing Service Bulletins 747-53A2308 and 747-57-2288 Revision 1. This regulation applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia and is a critical safety measure to prevent potential in-flight failures due to compromised structural integrity.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, mandate the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address safety issues in aircraft operations. Section 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 empowers the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue such directives. In this instance, AD/B747/223 pertains to Boeing 747 series aeroplanes and requires specific actions to be taken to rectify an identified unsafe condition (section 39.1 (1)). AD/B747/223 applies to Boeing 747-100, -200, and 747SP series aircraft, specifically those with line numbers 1 through 567 and equipped with aluminium diagonal brace underwing fittings. The directive mandates an inspection of these fittings in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 2000-03-22 Amdt 39-11582. Boeing Service Bulletins 747-53A2308 and 747-57-2288 Revision 1 are also referenced for further guidance on the inspection and necessary repairs. Compliance with this AD is required as specified in the requirement document, with initial and repetitive inspections and eventual bolt replacement to be carried out by 18 May 2000 (section 39.1 (1)). The AD became effective on 18 May 2000, as stipulated in the compliance section. The directive was issued due to reports of damaged, broken, and corroded taperlock bolts in the engine strut diagonal brace underwing fittings on the outboard strut. Such conditions, if left unaddressed, could result in the separation of the engine and strut from the aircraft, thereby compromising the safety of the flight. The directive was signed by Bernard Malcolm Hole, a delegate of CASA, on 31 March 2000, and was subsequently notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 April 2000. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in AD/B747/223 could result in significant safety risks and potential violations of civil aviation regulations. The maximum penalties for non-compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the non-compliance, but the overarching intent is to ensure that all necessary safety measures are adhered to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the aviation system.