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.
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/257 In-Flight Entertainment System FAA STC ST00196SE
10/2001
Applicability: Model 747-100 and -200 series aeroplanes modified by United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00196SE.
Requirement: 1. Modify the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system in accordance with JAMCO America Service Bulletin (SB) 747-25-M025 dated 30 August 2000.
2. Revise the procedures for “Electrical System Smoke or Fire” of the “Emergency Procedures” section of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) to include the following information:
IF SMOKE SOURCE IS UNDETERMINED:
Galley Power, Recirculating and Gasper Fans, and supplemental vent fans (if installed) . . . OFF
Establish communications with cabin crew.
Instruct cabin crew to depress in-flight entertainment (IFE) system Master Control System Power ‘OFF’ switch.
Obtain confirmation from cabin crew that electrical power to the IFE system has been removed.
Amendment of the AFM may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this Directive into the AFM.
3. IFE may not be installed on any aeroplane in accordance with STC ST00196SE unless it is modified in accordance with JAMCO SB 747-25-M025 and the AFM is revised in accordance with this Directive.
Note: FAA AD 2001-16-19 Amdt 39-12388 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Within 18 months after the effective date of this Directive.
For Requirement 2 - Concurrent with Requirement 1.
For Requirement 3 - As of the effective date of this Directive.
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/257 (Continued)
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 4 October 2001.
Background: This Directive requires modification of the IFE systems installed by STC ST00157SE and revision of the AFM. This action is required to ensure that, when necessary, the flight crew is able to remove power from the IFE system and is advised of appropriate procedures to perform these actions. Inability to remove power from the IFE system during a non-normal or emergency situation could result in inability to control smoke or fumes in the airplane flight deck or cabin.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 August 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 12 September 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) B747/257 on 23 August 2001 to address safety issues associated with the in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems installed on Boeing 747-100 and -200 series aeroplanes modified by FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00196SE. This AD was introduced to mitigate the risk of smoke or fire in the aeroplane cabin due to the inability to remove power from the IFE system during an emergency. The directive mandates specific modifications to the IFE system and updates to the Aircraft Flight Manual to ensure that flight crews are equipped with the necessary procedures to handle such situations effectively. The AD became effective on 4 October 2001, and compliance was required within 18 months for the IFE system modifications and concurrently for the AFM revisions.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes, namely the 747-100 and -200 series aeroplanes, that have been modified by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00196SE. This AD mandates that specific modifications to the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system be implemented to ensure the safety of the aircraft in certain operational conditions. The modifications include altering the IFE system in accordance with JAMCO America Service Bulletin (SB) 747-25-M025 dated 30 August 2000, and revising the emergency procedures section of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) to include detailed instructions for handling smoke or fire emergencies involving the IFE system. These changes are necessary to enable the flight crew to effectively manage smoke or fire incidents by cutting off power to the IFE system, thereby preventing potential hazards in the flight deck or cabin. The AD applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, and compliance with the outlined requirements must be achieved within specified timeframes to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B747/257 issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Boeing 747-100 and -200 series aeroplanes modified by the FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00196SE. The AD mandates modifications to the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system as well as revisions to the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM). Firstly, the IFE system must be modified in accordance with JAMCO America Service Bulletin 747-25-M025 dated 30 August 2000 (Requirement 1). Secondly, the "Electrical System Smoke or Fire" procedures in the "Emergency Procedures" section of the AFM must be revised to include specific instructions on what to do if the smoke source is undetermined (Requirement 2). Thirdly, the AD prohibits the installation of IFE systems on any aeroplane in accordance with STC ST00196SE unless the aforementioned modifications are made and the AFM is updated (Requirement 3). These actions must be completed within specified timelines: Requirement 1 and 2 must be completed within 18 months from the effective date of the AD, while Requirement 3 must be completed by the effective date of the AD itself.
The AD imposes several obligations on the operators of the affected aircraft. Operators must ensure that the IFE systems on their Boeing 747-100 and -200 series aeroplanes modified by FAA STC ST00196SE are modified as per JAMCO Service Bulletin 747-25-M025. This includes conducting the necessary modifications within the specified timeline. Furthermore, operators must update the AFM to include the new procedures for handling electrical system smoke or fire situations as outlined in the AD. The updated AFM must be readily available to the flight crew and may be incorporated by inserting a copy of the AD into the manual. Additionally, operators are prohibited from installing IFE systems on any aeroplane in accordance with STC ST00196SE unless the modifications and AFM updates have been completed.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD can lead to significant consequences. The AD does not explicitly detail penalties or consequences for non-compliance, but it is implied that non-compliance could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications and updates are made. This could result in substantial financial losses for the operator due to flight cancellations and other associated costs. Additionally, non-compliance could pose safety risks, potentially leading to situations where the flight crew is unable to manage smoke or fire emergencies effectively, which could endanger the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.