COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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/B747/268 Trailing Edge Flap Transmission Torque Brake 5/2002
Applicability: Model 747 series aeroplanes line numbers 0001 to 1207, excluding line number 1174 and Model 747SP series aeroplanes.
Requirement: 1. Action in accordance with the technical requirements of CORRECTION FAA AD 2001-23-13 Amendment 39-12512 issued in Renton, Washington, on 7 February 2002.
2. No person shall install on any aircraft any transmission or torque brake assembly of the trailing edge flaps at positions 2 or 7 as identified in the “Existing Part Number” column of paragraph 2.E of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-27-2374 dated 18 November, 1999.
Compliance: Requirement 1: Within 13 months or 5,400 flight hours after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive, whichever occurs later.
Requirement 2: From the date when this Directive becomes effective. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 16 May 2002.
Background: The manufacturer raised a Service Bulletin after it was found that the trailing edge flap transmission torque brake (Belleville spring design) does not lockout at the intended torque levels. If a flap jam occurred, and the torque brake failed to limit the torque of the transmission, the resultant force may cause the transmission mounts to fail. This Airworthiness Directive has therefore been raised to remove, rework or replace such torque brakes to prevent damage to the flap system, adjacent systems, or structural components; or excessive skew of the trailing edge flap, that could result in flap asymmetry and consequent reduced controllability of the aeroplane.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 27 March 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 April 2002.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, addresses the critical need to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products, particularly by issuing Airworthiness Directives (ADs). This regulatory framework was enacted to safeguard public safety by mandating specific actions to rectify identified safety issues in aircraft operations. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the designated authority responsible for issuing these directives, with the ultimate goal of maintaining and enhancing aviation safety standards. For instance, the AD for Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes, specifically AD/B747/268, was introduced to address the unsafe condition related to the trailing edge flap transmission torque brake, which was found not to lock out at intended torque levels. This directive required specific corrective actions to prevent potential failures that could compromise the structural integrity and controllability of the aircraft. The directive was issued on 16 May 2002 and became effective immediately, underscoring the importance of timely compliance to mitigate risks associated with identified safety hazards.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to Boeing 747 series aeroplanes with line numbers ranging from 0001 to 1207, excluding line number 1174, as well as Model 747SP series aeroplanes. The directive mandates specific actions concerning the trailing edge flap transmission torque brake, as per the technical requirements set forth in CORRECTION FAA AD 2001-23-13 Amendment 39-12512 issued on 7 February 2002. The requirement prohibits the installation of certain transmission or torque brake assemblies on any aircraft, as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-27-2374 dated 18 November 1999. Compliance with the directive involves taking corrective action within 13 months or 5,400 flight hours after the directive's effective date of 16 May 2002, whichever comes later, and ensuring that no prohibited assemblies are installed from the directive's effective date. This AD is applicable nationally and is intended to mitigate risks associated with potential flap system failures that could compromise aircraft controllability.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Subpart 105, includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate. These ADs are essential for ensuring that aircraft meet safety standards. The specific AD mentioned, AD/B747/268, pertains to the Boeing 747 series aeroplanes and addresses issues related to the trailing edge flap transmission torque brake. The applicability of this AD covers Boeing 747 series aeroplanes from line numbers 0001 to 1207, excluding line number 1174, and Model 747SP series aeroplanes.
This AD mandates specific actions to rectify identified safety issues. Firstly, it requires compliance with the technical requirements of the Correction to FAA AD 2001-23-13 Amendment 39-12512, issued on 7 February 2002. Secondly, it prohibits the installation of any transmission or torque brake assembly of the trailing edge flaps at positions 2 or 7, as specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-27-2374 dated 18 November 1999. The compliance section stipulates that these actions must be completed within 13 months or 5,400 flight hours after the AD's effective date, whichever is later, for the first requirement, and immediately for the second requirement once the AD becomes effective.
The AD imposes obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to ensure the trailing edge flap transmission torque brakes are either removed, reworked, or replaced as specified. This requirement aims to prevent potential damage to the flap system, adjacent systems, or structural components, and to avoid excessive skew of the trailing edge flap that could lead to flap asymmetry and reduced controllability of the aeroplane. Failure to comply with these directives could result in serious safety risks.
The consequences of non-compliance with the AD can be severe. There are no explicit penalties mentioned in the text, but non-compliance with ADs can lead to significant civil and criminal consequences under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. This could include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach. The exact penalties are not detailed in the AD itself but are governed by broader aviation safety legislation.