COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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.
AD/B747/229 Engine Thrust Control Cables 7/2000
Applicability: Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, SR and SP series aircraft fitted with P&W JT9D-3 or -7 series engines, CF6-45 or -50 series engines or RB211-524B, C or D series engines.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements specified in FAA AD 2000-05- 30 Amendment 39-11640.
Note: FAA AD 2000-05-30 Amendment 39-11640 refers.
Compliance: At the time specified in the FAA AD except for a revised effective date of 13 July 2000.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 13 July 2000.
Background: The FAA have identified an unsafe condition that relates to the effect of a thrust control cable failure on controllability of the aircraft. Should an engine control thrust “B” cable fail during landing, it changes the position of the thrust reverser directional control valve, causing the thrust reverser to stow and the engine to accelerate while the other engines remain in full reverse. This will result in a severe asymmetric condition during landing.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 2 June 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 June 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, were established to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. The regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and encompass a wide range of requirements related to aircraft operations, maintenance, and airworthiness. One specific aspect of these regulations is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address safety concerns identified by CASA or other aviation authorities. AD/B747/229 is an example of such an AD, issued in 2000 to address an unsafe condition related to thrust control cables in Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. This AD mandates specific actions to mitigate the risk of thrust control cable failure during landing, which could lead to severe asymmetric conditions. The policy objective of this AD, as with all ADs under the Civil Aviation Regulations, is to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of aircraft and protect the safety of passengers, crew, and the general public.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1). These directives are intended to address unsafe conditions in aircraft, ensuring they meet airworthiness standards. The directive AD/B747/229 applies to Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, specifically the models 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, SR, and SP, that are fitted with particular engine types, namely P&W JT9D-3 or -7 series engines, CF6-45 or -50 series engines, or RB211-524B, C, or D series engines. The directive mandates specific actions in response to an identified unsafe condition concerning thrust control cables, as detailed in FAA AD 2000-05-30 Amendment 39-11640. The compliance requirements must be adhered to within the timeframe specified in the FAA AD, with a noted effective date adjustment to 13 July 2000. This directive is enforceable across the Commonwealth of Australia, highlighting the importance of maintaining stringent safety standards for civil aviation.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) B747/229, issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) as part of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to Boeing 747 series aeroplanes and specifically addresses engine thrust control cables (Section 1). The directive applies to Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, SR, and SP series aircraft fitted with Pratt & Whitney JT9D-3 or -7 series engines, General Electric CF6-45 or -50 series engines, or Rolls-Royce RB211-524B, C, or D series engines (Section 2). The directive mandates that corrective action be taken in accordance with the technical requirements specified in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 2000-05-30 Amendment 39-11640 (Section 3). The compliance date for the directive is set at 13 July 2000, which is the revised effective date from the original FAA AD (Section 4).
The AD imposes obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance organisations to ensure that the specified corrective actions are carried out on the applicable aircraft. Operators must comply with the technical requirements outlined in the FAA AD, which includes detailed inspection and repair or replacement procedures to mitigate the risk of thrust control cable failure. Maintenance organisations are responsible for performing the required inspections and maintenance actions in accordance with the FAA AD and any additional instructions provided by CASA. It is critical that these actions are performed within the stipulated timeframe to ensure continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD may result in severe safety implications, including the potential for an unsafe condition during landing. The directive specifically addresses a scenario where a thrust control cable failure could lead to an asymmetric thrust condition, potentially compromising the controllability of the aircraft. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to take enforcement actions against operators and maintenance organisations that fail to comply with the AD. Potential consequences include administrative penalties, fines, and in severe cases, the suspension or revocation of the operator’s or maintenance organisation’s licence. The maximum penalties for non-compliance are not explicitly stated in the AD but could be determined under the broader regulatory framework provided by CAR 1998.