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/B747/238 Hydraulic Brake Accumulators 13/2000
Applicability: Model 747 series aeroplanes; as listed in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-32-2461, dated August 19, 1999.
Requirement: 1. Replace all brake system accumulators which have aluminium end caps with accumulators which have stainless steel end caps in accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-32-2461.
2. A Part Number (P/N) BACA11E1 (Parker P/N 2660472-1 or 2660472M1) or BACA11E5 (Parker P/N 2660472-5 or 2660472M5) brake system accumulator must not be installed as a replacement item on an aeroplane applicable to this Airworthiness Directive.
Note: FAA Airworthiness Directive 2000-14-01 Amendment 39-11810 refers.
Compliance: 1. Unless previously accomplished, at the next “C”-check but not to exceed 6000 flight hours from the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive.
2. From the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 28 December 2000.
Background: There have been ten cases of brake accumulator aluminium end cap fracture that may result in high velocity separation which could cause injury to personnel in the wheel well area, loss of cabin pressurisation, loss of certain hydraulic systems or damage the fuel line of the auxiliary power unit.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 13 November 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 22 November 2000
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted to provide comprehensive rules and regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation in Australia. One of the critical components of these regulations is Part 39, which focuses on the maintenance and safety of aircraft. Specifically, within this part, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is empowered to issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address safety concerns and ensure that aircraft remain airworthy. The AD for Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes, identified as AD/B747/238, was introduced on 28 December 2000 to address the problem of potential fractures in hydraulic brake accumulators with aluminium end caps, which could lead to serious safety hazards including injuries, loss of hydraulic systems, and cabin depressurisation. This directive was issued by a delegate of CASA under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the CAR 1998, with the clear policy objective of enhancing the safety of air travel by mandating specific corrective actions to be undertaken by aircraft operators.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the maintenance and operation of civil aircraft, with a focus on ensuring their airworthiness. This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to all Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, as listed in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-32-2461, dated August 19, 1999. The directive mandates that certain actions be taken to correct an unsafe condition related to the hydraulic brake accumulators. It specifies that all brake system accumulators with aluminium end caps must be replaced with accumulators that have stainless steel end caps in accordance with the specified service bulletin, and it prohibits the installation of certain part numbers as replacements. Compliance with this AD must occur at the next "C"-check but no later than 6,000 flight hours from the effective date, which is 28 December 2000. The directive was issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority delegate and published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 22 November 2000.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B747/238, mandates the replacement of certain brake system accumulators on Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. This directive applies to all model 747 series aeroplanes listed in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-32-2461 dated August 19, 1999. According to section 13/2000, the primary requirement is to replace all brake system accumulators with aluminium end caps with those having stainless steel end caps, in accordance with the aforementioned bulletin. Additionally, certain part numbers, specifically BACA11E1 (Parker P/N 2660472-1 or 2660472M1) or BACA11E5 (Parker P/N 2660472-5 or 2660472M5), must not be used as replacements on aeroplanes subject to this AD.
The obligations under this directive are clear: operators and maintainers of Boeing 747 series aeroplanes must ensure that the specified replacements are carried out. This involves not only the physical replacement of parts but also ensuring compliance with the instructions provided in the Boeing bulletin. The directive requires the replacement to occur at the next “C”-check, but in any case, it must be completed within 6000 flight hours from the effective date of the AD, which is 28 December 2000. Moreover, from the effective date of this AD, operators must ensure that no prohibited part numbers are installed.
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. The directive is underpinned by the potential for severe outcomes such as personnel injury, loss of cabin pressurisation, failure of certain hydraulic systems, and damage to the auxiliary power unit's fuel line. While specific penalties are not outlined in the AD itself, non-compliance with ADs generally may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which could include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory sanctions. The seriousness of the safety risks highlighted in the background section underscores the importance of strict adherence to the directive.