AD/B747/247 Amdt 1 - Reduced Acceleration and Climb Performance

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted to ensure the safe operation of aircraft in Australia. This legislation provides the framework for regulating the safety standards in the aviation industry. In addressing specific safety concerns, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to mandate corrective actions for identified unsafe conditions. One such AD, AD/B747/247 Amendment 1, was issued on 12 July 2001 by a CASA delegate to address reduced acceleration and climb performance in Boeing 747-400 and 747-400F series aeroplanes equipped with Pratt & Whitney Model PW 4000 engines. This AD was necessary due to fan thrust deterioration mode in certain PW4000 series engines, which could result in runway overruns or collisions with obstacles or terrain. The directive required the revision of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) to incorporate updated performance adjustments and was intended to be completed within 30 days from the effective date of the directive.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) applies specifically to Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400F series aeroplanes that are equipped with Pratt & Whitney Model PW 4000 engines. The directive mandates a revision to the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) to incorporate the performance adjustments specified in FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2001-01-10 and Boeing Telex M-7200-00-02672, dated 1 November 2000, which address the issue of Fan Thrust Deterioration Mode (FTDM) present in some PW4000 series engines fitted with early production fan blades. This deterioration is caused by erosion of the fan blades' leading edge, resulting in reduced acceleration and climb performance, potentially leading to runway overruns or collisions with obstacles or terrain. The requirement is to incorporate the FAA AD and Boeing Telex into the AFM as a general revision, with the FAA AD and the telex to be removed from the AFM once this incorporation is complete. The directive requires compliance within 30 days from its effective date, which is 12 July 2001, unless accomplished earlier. This AD extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, reflecting the national scope of aviation safety regulations.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B747/247, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, applies specifically to Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400F series aeroplanes equipped with Pratt & Whitney Model PW 4000 engines. This AD is intended to address the issue of reduced acceleration and climb performance due to Fan Thrust Deterioration Mode (FTDM) in certain engines. The directive requires operators to revise the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) by incorporating a copy of the FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2001-01-10 along with Boeing Telex M-7200-00-02672 dated 1 November 2000, which includes necessary performance adjustments for engines with FB2B or FB2T fans installed on 747-400 aircraft. Once this information is integrated into the AFM, the FAA AD and the telex along with its attachments must be removed from the AFM. This amendment is intended to ensure that the performance data in the AFM accurately reflects the capabilities of the affected engines, thereby preventing potential runway overruns or collisions with obstacles or terrain due to reduced thrust. Operators of Boeing 747-400 and 747-400F series aeroplanes with PW 4000 engines are obligated to comply with the requirements of AD/B747/247. This involves revising the AFM to incorporate the specified performance adjustments and removing the referenced FAA AD and telex once the changes are integrated. The compliance period for these changes is within 30 days from the effective date of the Directive, which is 12 July 2001. Failure to adhere to these requirements could result in unsafe conditions that might lead to accidents or incidents, highlighting the importance of timely and accurate updates to the AFM. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can lead to significant consequences. While the specific penalties for breaching AD/B747/247 are not detailed in the legislative instrument, general provisions under CAR 1998 may include fines and other enforcement actions. The seriousness of the issue addressed by this AD, which involves potential safety risks due to reduced engine performance, suggests that penalties for non-compliance could be substantial. The regulations aim to ensure that all safety directives are strictly followed to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety.