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 revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B747/274 and issues the following 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/B747/274
Amdt 1
Body Station 1480 Bulkhead Splice 3/2003
Applicability: Model 747 series aircraft, line numbers 1 through 750, excluding aircraft on which the bulkhead splice areas have been modified in accordance with Plan “B” of FAA AD 2001-11-06 (AD/B747/256).
Requirement: Inspect in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2002-26-17 Amdt 39-13005.
Note: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2477 refers.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 20 March 2003.
This Amendment becomes effective on 20 March 2003.
Background: The FAA requires a one-time inspection to identify all alloy steel bolts on the station 1480 bulkhead splice, and detect and correct cracked or broken bolts, which could result in structural damage and rapid decompression of the aircraft.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a new FAA AD which requires accomplishment of the previously optional terminating action.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 11 July 2002.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 6 February 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 February 2003.
Page 1 of 1
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, a foundational piece of Australian legislation governing civil aviation safety, was enacted to ensure that aircraft operating within Australian airspace meet stringent safety standards. One of the critical components of these regulations is Part 39, which focuses on airworthiness directives. These directives are issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address specific safety concerns that may arise in the operation of aircraft. The 2003 legislative instrument F2006B03170 amends an existing airworthiness directive concerning the Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. This amendment was introduced to address a specific safety issue identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the station 1480 bulkhead splice on these aircraft. The directive mandates a one-time inspection to detect and correct any cracked or broken alloy steel bolts, which could potentially lead to structural damage and rapid decompression. The policy objective behind this amendment is to enhance the safety of civil aviation by ensuring that all affected aircraft are inspected and any safety issues are promptly addressed.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/B747/274 applies specifically to Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, encompassing line numbers 1 through 750. This directive does not apply to aircraft that have already modified the bulkhead splice areas in accordance with Plan "B" of FAA AD 2001-11-06 (AD/B747/256). The purpose of this AD is to ensure the safety of these aircraft by requiring an inspection to identify and rectify any cracked or broken alloy steel bolts on the station 1480 bulkhead splice. This inspection must be conducted in line with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 2002-26-17 Amdt 39-13005, with references to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2477. Compliance with this directive must be achieved by the specified date in the requirement document, with the amendment becoming effective from 20 March 2003. This AD is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is applicable nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, establish specific requirements for the airworthiness of certain aircraft. In particular, Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B747/274 Amdt 1 pertains to Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, line numbers 1 through 750, excluding those that have already had their bulkhead splice areas modified according to FAA AD 2001-11-06 (AD/B747/256). The directive was issued on 6 February 2003 by David Alan Villiers, a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and it was subsequently notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 February 2003. The directive requires a one-time inspection of the station 1480 bulkhead splice to identify any alloy steel bolts that are cracked or broken, which could potentially lead to structural damage and rapid decompression of the aircraft.
This AD mandates that the inspection be carried out in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 2002-26-17 Amdt 39-13005, with reference to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2477. The compliance section specifies that the inspection must be completed by 20 March 2003, which is the revised effective date of the requirement document. This directive is in response to a new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD, which now makes the previously optional terminating action mandatory.
The obligations under this AD are for the operators of Boeing 747 series aircraft to conduct the specified inspection on the station 1480 bulkhead splice to ensure that all alloy steel bolts are in good condition. This inspection must be performed in adherence to the guidelines provided by the FAA and Boeing. Failure to comply with this directive could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to significant operational disruptions and safety risks.
Any breach of this Airworthiness Directive could potentially result in serious safety issues, including structural failure and rapid decompression. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not specify particular penalties for non-compliance with ADs, the general provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 may apply. Under this act, non-compliance could lead to civil penalties, criminal charges, or both. The maximum penalties can include substantial fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity and intent of the breach. Additionally, non-compliance could result in the grounding of the aircraft, which would have significant operational and financial implications for the operator.