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/B747/264 Flight Engineer Panel - Electrical Wire Bundles 2/2002
Applicability: Model 747 series aeroplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 747- 24A2118, Revision 3, dated 24 June 1999.
Requirement: 1. Perform a one-time detailed visual inspection for chafing of certain electrical wire bundles behind the P4 flight engineer's panel in the cockpit in accordance with ASB 747-24A2118, Revision 3.
Inspections and follow-on actions accomplished before the effective date of this Directive in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-24-2118, dated 9 February 1989; Revision 1, dated 11 May 1989; or Revision 2, dated 21 December 1989; are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions required by this Directive.
Note 1: For the purposes of this Directive, a detailed visual inspection is defined as: "An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required.''
2. If any chafing is found during the Requirement 1 inspection, repair the chafed wire bundles in accordance with ASB 747-24A2118, Revision 3.
3. Wrap the electrical wire bundles with Teflon sleeving and reroute them, in accordance with ASB 747-24A2118, Revision 3.
Where Boeing ASB 747-24A2118, Revision 3, specifies that certain procedures may be accomplished per an "operator's comparable procedure,'' the procedures must be accomplished per the applicable chapter of the Boeing 747 Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM) specified in the service bulletin.
Note 2: FAA AD 2001-24-31 Amdt 39-12548 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Before 16 January 2003.
For Requirement 2 - Before further flight, following the Requirement 1 inspection.
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/264 (continued)
For Requirement 3 - Before further flight following either the Requirement 1 inspection or the Requirement 2 repair.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 21 February 2002.
Background: This Directive requires a one-time inspection for chafing of certain electrical wire bundles behind the flight engineer's panel in the cockpit; together with the repair of any chafed wire bundles. The Directive also requires the installation of Teflon sleeving over the inspected wire bundles and rerouting them. These actions are necessary to prevent burning of electrical wires, which could result in smoke in the cockpit and loss of function of several aircraft systems.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 14 January 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 30 January 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B747/264 under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) in 2002. This directive addresses the issue of potential electrical wire chafing behind the flight engineer’s panel in Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, which could lead to smoke in the cockpit and loss of function of several aircraft systems. The policy objective of this AD is to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating a detailed visual inspection and repair of any chafed wire bundles, followed by the installation of Teflon sleeving and rerouting of the wire bundles. This directive became effective on 21 February 2002, and compliance was required by specific dates outlined within the document.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B747/264 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to Boeing 747 series aeroplanes as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 747-24A2118, Revision 3, dated 24 June 1999. The directive is aimed at ensuring the safety of these aircraft by mandating a one-time detailed visual inspection for chafing of certain electrical wire bundles behind the P4 flight engineer's panel in the cockpit, followed by repair of any detected chafed wire bundles and the wrapping of these bundles with Teflon sleeving and rerouting as specified in ASB 747-24A2118, Revision 3. This action is deemed necessary to prevent the risk of electrical wires burning, which could lead to smoke in the cockpit and the loss of function of several aircraft systems. Compliance with the inspection and repair requirements must occur before further flight following the initial inspection, and the directive became effective on 21 February 2002. The AD extends to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, as notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 30 January 2002.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) B747/264 mandates specific actions for Boeing 747 series aeroplanes to address an identified unsafe condition. According to section 1 of the AD, a one-time detailed visual inspection for chafing of certain electrical wire bundles behind the P4 flight engineer's panel in the cockpit must be conducted in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 747-24A2118, Revision 3 (section 1(a)). Inspections completed before the effective date of this directive in accordance with prior service bulletins are acceptable (section 1(b)). If chafing is detected during the inspection, the chafed wire bundles must be repaired as per ASB 747-24A2118, Revision 3 (section 2). Additionally, all electrical wire bundles must be wrapped with Teflon sleeving and rerouted in accordance with the same service bulletin (section 3). Compliance with the directive requires that the inspection be completed before 16 January 2003, any necessary repairs be made before further flight following the inspection, and the Teflon sleeving and rerouting be completed before further flight following either the inspection or the repair (section 4).
Operators of Boeing 747 series aeroplanes are obligated to ensure that the specified actions are carried out as per the requirements outlined in the AD. This includes conducting the detailed visual inspection, repairing any chafed wire bundles, and installing Teflon sleeving and rerouting the wire bundles. Operators must adhere to the timelines provided in the compliance section, ensuring that all actions are completed before the specified dates. Additionally, operators must follow the instructions detailed in the Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 747-24A2118, Revision 3, for the inspection, repair, and rerouting procedures.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in significant consequences. Although the AD does not explicitly state penalties, non-compliance with airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can lead to severe civil and criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. For instance, operators failing to comply with airworthiness directives can face fines and imprisonment. The specific penalties can vary, but they may include substantial fines for corporations and imprisonment for natural persons responsible for the non-compliance. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the directives to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft.