AD/B747/230 Amdt 1 - Thrust Reverser Checks

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au F2006B03129 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

 


AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B747/230 and issues the following 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.

 

Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes

 

AD/B747/230

Amdt 1


Thrust Reverser Checks 9/2002

 

Applicability: Model 747-400 series aeroplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211-524G/H series engines, and or RB211-524G-T/H-T series engines.

Requirement: 1. Unless previously accomplished, install an additional locking system on each engine thrust reverser in accordance with the accomplishment instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78-2158 Revision 2 dated July 29, 1999.

Concurrent with accomplishment of Boeing SB 747-78-2158 Revision 2, incorporate requirements of Rolls- Royce Service Bulletin RB211-78-9601 Revision 5 dated February 20 1998, and Rolls-Royce Service Bulletin RB211-78- B207 dated November 19 1994.

2.        Unless previously accomplished, incorporate each of the following:

(a)      Modify fuel temperature indicating system in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-73-2052 Revision 1 dated April 23 1992; and Rolls- Royce Service Bulletin RB211-71-9043 dated May 4 1990.

 

(b)     During accomplishment of Boeing SB 747-73-2052 Revision 1, modify the central maintenance computer system hardware and software in accordance with Boeing SB 747-45-2007 dated March 29 1990 and Boeing SB747-45- 2016 Revision1 dated May 2 1996.

(c)      Install provisional wiring for the locking system on the thrust reversers in accordance with Boeing SB 747-78-2121 dated October 29, 1992 and SB 747-78-2157 Revision 2 dated November 26 1997.

(d)     Modify the integrated display system software in accordance with Boeing SB 747-31-2246 dated May 2 1996.

(e)      Install provisions to accommodate installation of an additional locking system on each engine thrust reverser in accordance with Rolls-Royce SB RB211-71-9600 Revision 8 dated May 24 1996 and RB211-71-9608 Revision 3 dated April 18 1997.

 

3.        Successfully accomplish operational checks of the number 2 and 3 gearbox locks and the air motor brake in accordance with procedures in Appendix 1 of FAA AD 2000-02-22.

 

Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes

 

AD/B747/230 Amdt 1 (continued)

 

4.        If Requirement 3 operational check cannot successfully be carried out in accordance with the procedures in Appendix 1 of FAA AD 2000-02-22, or if any discrepancy is detected during any operational check, repair in accordance with procedures specified in approved maintenance data.

 

5.        Repeat Requirement 3 operational checks if any discrepancies have been corrected under Requirement 4 during compliance with Requirement 3 or 6.

 

6.        Repeat and successfully accomplish operational checks required by Requirement 3.

 

Terminating Action

 

Accomplishment of Requirement 1 and 2, or installation of an additional locking system during production in accordance with production equivalent PRR 81000- 39, is terminating action for the inspections and tests required by Requirement 3 of AD/B747/277.

Note: FAA AD 2000-02-22 Amendment 39-11540 refers.

 

Compliance: For Requirement 1: Within 36 months time in service from 13 July 2000 (the effective date of original issue of this Directive).

 

For Requirement 2: Prior to or concurrent with Requirement 1 compliance.

 

For Requirement 3: Within 3,000 flight hours after accomplishment of Requirement 1 or within 1,000 flight hours from 13 July 2000 (the effective date of original issue of this Directive), whichever occurred later.

For Requirement 4: Prior to further flight. For Requirement 5: Prior to further flight.

For Requirement 6: At intervals not exceeding 3,000 flight hours time in service. This Amendment becomes effective on 5 September 2002.

 

Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes

 

AD/B747/230 Amdt 1 (continued)

 

Background: This amendment introduces a requirement to repeat operational checks after maintenance, and terminating action for part of AD/B747/277. This Directive was issued after a safety review revealed that in- flight deployment of a thrust reverser could result in significant reduction of aircraft controllability. Therefore this Directive includes actions to ensure the integrity of the fail safe features of the thrust reverser system is maintained by preventing failure modes which could result in inadvertent deployment of a thrust reverser during flight. This amendment does not add aircraft or require more work on aircraft modified in accordance with the original issue of the service bulletin.

 

The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 13 July 2000.


 

Eugene Paul Holzapfel

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 25 July 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 August 2002.

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targeting Boeing 747-400 series aeroplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211-524G/H series engines or RB211-524G-T/H-T series engines. This AD, identified as AD/B747/230 Amendment 1, was enacted to address safety concerns related to the inadvertent deployment of thrust reversers during flight, which could significantly compromise aircraft controllability. The directive outlines mandatory modifications and operational checks to ensure the integrity of the thrust reverser system, thereby enhancing the overall airworthiness of the specified aircraft. CASA introduced this amendment to rectify safety deficiencies identified in previous service bulletins and to mandate corrective actions to prevent in-flight deployment of thrust reversers. This legislative instrument aims to ensure compliance with safety standards and mitigate risks associated with the operation of these aircraft.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive applies specifically to Boeing 747-400 series aeroplanes equipped with Rolls-Royce RB211-524G/H series engines or RB211-524G-T/H-T series engines. The directive is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and mandates specific actions to be taken to correct unsafe conditions related to the aircraft's thrust reverser system. The requirements include the installation of an additional locking system on each engine thrust reverser, modifications to various aircraft systems, and operational checks to ensure the integrity of the thrust reverser system. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory for the specified aircraft within the stated timeframes, and failure to comply can result in serious safety risks. The directive applies across the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced through CASA's regulatory framework.

Key Provisions

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) mandates specific actions to address identified safety issues with the Boeing 747-400 series aeroplanes equipped with certain Rolls-Royce engines. The directive revokes the previous AD/B747/230 and introduces new requirements to ensure the safety of these aircraft, particularly concerning the thrust reverser system. The AD applies to the Boeing 747-400 series aeroplanes equipped with specific Rolls-Royce RB211 engine models. The requirements include installing an additional locking system on each engine thrust reverser, modifying the fuel temperature indicating system, updating the central maintenance computer system, installing provisional wiring for the locking system, modifying the integrated display system software, and making provisions for additional locking system installations. These actions must be performed in accordance with detailed instructions provided in various service bulletins from Boeing and Rolls-Royce. The directive also requires operational checks and repairs to be conducted on the gearbox locks and the air motor brake, with repeat checks if any discrepancies are found or corrected. The directive stipulates deadlines for compliance, such as within 36 months from the original issue date for certain installations and within specific flight hours for operational checks and repairs. The AD imposes several obligations on the operators and maintainers of the affected Boeing 747-400 series aeroplanes. They must ensure that the installations and modifications outlined in the directive are carried out by qualified personnel following the detailed instructions provided in the relevant service bulletins. Operators must also perform the required operational checks within specified timeframes and after any maintenance work. If any discrepancies are detected during these checks, they must be repaired promptly before further flights. The directive further mandates that certain inspections and tests required by another AD (AD/B747/277) will cease upon the completion of the specified actions in this directive. Breaching the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive can lead to significant consequences. Failure to comply with the mandated actions can result in unsafe conditions that could compromise the aircraft's controllability and overall safety. Non-compliance with ADs is a serious offence under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations. Operators found to be in breach of an AD can face enforcement actions, including fines, operational restrictions, and potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The severity of the penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but they are intended to ensure that all safety directives are strictly adhered to in order to protect public safety.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Aviation Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Regulatory Standards
Compliance Obligations
Enforcement Powers

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.