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/B747/245 Longeron Splice Fittings, Stringer
11 at Body Station 2598
7/2001
Applicability: Model 747-400 series aircraft, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747- 53A2419, Revision 1 dated 21 September 2000.
Requirement: Inspect in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2000-25-11 Amdt 39-12046.
Note: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2419 Revision 1, including Appendix A, refer.
Compliance: For the initial detailed visual inspection, at the later of the following times:
- Before the accumulation of 17,000 total flight cycles or 63,000 total flight hours, whichever occurs first.
b. Before 30 January 2003.
Thereafter at the repeat inspection times specified in the Requirement document. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 12 July 2001.
Background: The FAA requires inspections to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the longeron splice fittings and subsequent damage to adjacent structure. Such Damage could result in the inability of the structure to carry horizontal stabiliser flight loads, with consequent reduced controllability of the horizontal stabiliser.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 18 May 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 13 June 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve as a comprehensive framework to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Among its various provisions, Part 39, specifically addressing Airworthiness Directives, plays a crucial role in maintaining aircraft safety standards. One such directive, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), is the AD/B747/245 concerning Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address the specific safety issue of fatigue cracking in the longeron splice fittings and adjacent structure of the Boeing 747-400 series aircraft. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate regular inspections to detect and rectify potential structural damage, thereby preventing a loss of control over the horizontal stabiliser and ensuring continued flight safety. The directive was designed in response to findings from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing, aiming to mitigate the risk of structural failure due to undetected fatigue cracks.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), mandate the application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) for ensuring the safe operation of aircraft. This particular AD, numbered AD/B747/245, pertains to Boeing 747-400 series aircraft and mandates detailed visual inspections to detect and correct fatigue cracking in specific longeron splice fittings. The directive applies to all Boeing 747-400 series aircraft as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2419, Revision 1 dated 21 September 2000. The inspections must be carried out in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 2000-25-11 Amdt 39-12046, with references to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2419 Revision 1, including Appendix A. The initial inspection must occur before the aircraft accumulates 17,000 total flight cycles or 63,000 total flight hours, whichever comes first, or before 30 January 2003. Subsequent inspections must adhere to the specified repeat intervals. This AD became effective on 12 July 2001 and was gazetted on 13 June 2001.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) are found in PART 39 - 105, which pertains to Airworthiness Directives. Specifically, this Airworthiness Directive (AD/B747/245) applies to Boeing 747-400 series aircraft, as referenced in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2419 Revision 1 dated 21 September 2000. The requirement section mandates that inspections of the longeron splice fittings and stringer at Body Station 25987 be conducted in accordance with the technical specifications of FAA AD 2000-25-11 Amdt 39-12046. The initial inspection must be completed before the aircraft accumulates either 17,000 flight cycles or 63,000 flight hours, whichever comes first, or before 30 January 2003. Subsequent inspections must be carried out at the times specified in the requirement document.
The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act on the parties and entities it governs are significant. Operators of Boeing 747-400 series aircraft must ensure that the specified inspections are conducted meticulously and in compliance with the FAA AD 2000-25-11 Amdt 39-12046. This involves detailed visual inspections to detect and address fatigue cracking of the longeron splice fittings and any resultant structural damage. Failure to comply with these inspection requirements could compromise the aircraft's airworthiness, thereby risking the safety of the flight and those on board.
Failure to comply with the obligations outlined in this Airworthiness Directive can lead to serious consequences. While the regulations do not explicitly detail civil or criminal penalties, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in severe repercussions. These may include grounding of the aircraft, suspension of the operator's license, or other enforcement actions taken by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The safety of the aircraft and its passengers is paramount, and any deviation from the specified inspection requirements could potentially lead to safety hazards, with legal and financial ramifications for the non-compliant parties.