Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation provides the regulatory framework governing the operation of aircraft and aeronautical products within Australian airspace. The CAR 1998 was introduced to address the need for comprehensive aviation safety regulations, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the national airspace system. The regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which operates under the authority of the Australian Parliament. The overarching policy objective of the CAR 1998 is to establish and maintain the highest possible standards of safety in civil aviation through detailed regulatory requirements and enforcement actions, such as the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). These ADs are issued to address identified safety issues and ensure compliance with safety standards by aircraft operators and manufacturers.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the scope and application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular AD pertains to the Boeing 747-400 series aircraft that are equipped with General Electric CF6-80C2 series engines, as referenced in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71-2285 Revision 1. The directive is issued to address an unsafe condition that could potentially lead to an engine fire causing the core cowl to open in flight and separate from the aircraft. The requirement mandates that modifications to the left and right hand core cowl assemblies of the engines must be made according to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71-2285 Revision 1, and prohibits the installation of specific aluminium core cowl assemblies. Compliance with this directive must be achieved before 24 September 2004, and all modifications must be completed within six months of the AD's effective date of 18 April 2002. This AD applies across the Commonwealth of Australia and is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette to ensure all relevant parties are informed of the necessary actions to maintain airworthiness standards.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertain to the modification requirements for Boeing 747-400 series aircraft equipped with General Electric CF6-80C2 series engines, as outlined in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71-2285 Revision 1 (Section 1). Specifically, the AD mandates the modification of the left and right hand core cowl assemblies of the engines (Section 1.1) and prohibits the installation of certain aluminium core cowl assembly parts (Section 1.2). The AD also references FAA AD 2001-16-07 Amdt 39-12375 (Section 1.2 Note). The compliance section (Section 2) specifies that these modifications must be completed before 24 September 2004 and as of six months after the effective date of the AD, which is 18 April 2002. The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and specific. Aircraft operators must ensure that the required modifications are performed on their Boeing 747-400 series aircraft equipped with General Electric CF6-80C2 series engines. This includes modifying the left and right hand core cowl assemblies in accordance with the instructions provided in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71-2285 Revision 1 and refraining from installing the specified aluminium core cowl assembly parts. Failure to comply with these directives could result in serious safety implications, including the risk of engine fires leading to the separation of the core cowl in flight. Any breach of this AD could result in significant legal consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed within the AD itself, under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with ADs can result in civil penalties, including fines and potential criminal charges. The severity of these penalties can depend on the nature and extent of the breach, but they may include substantial financial penalties and imprisonment for those found responsible. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce these regulations and take appropriate action against those who fail to comply with the ADs.