Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) were enacted by the Australian Government to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. Part 39 of these regulations, specifically Schedule 105, includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety issues identified in aircraft or aeronautical products. The AD in question, AD/B747/297, pertains to the Boeing 747 series aeroplanes and mandates an inspection of the shoulder restraint harness attachment to prevent detachment from the mounting bracket, following reports of such incidents on Model 737-300 series aircraft. The directive was issued to correct an unsafe condition identified by the FAA and is intended to ensure compliance with safety standards to maintain airworthiness. This AD became effective on 25 December 2003, as specified in the requirement document.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 pertains specifically to Boeing 747 Series aeroplanes, including models 747-100B, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, 747SR, and 747SP, as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3244 Revision 4. This AD applies to these aircraft to ensure safety by addressing a specific condition identified with the shoulder restraint harness attachment. The requirement for compliance involves inspecting the aircraft in accordance with the technical specifications outlined in FAA AD 2003-20-08 Amendment 39-13326. This inspection is mandated to rectify the unsafe condition where the shoulder restraint harness of the attendant or observer seat may detach from the mounting bracket during service, which was reported to have occurred in two Model 737-300 series aircraft. The directive was issued on 12 November 2003 and became effective on 25 December 2003, following its notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 3 December 2003.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) B747/297 issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) pertains to specific Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. It mandates that certain corrective actions be taken to address an identified unsafe condition, specifically regarding the shoulder restraint harness attachment on the mentioned aircraft models. The directive applies to Boeing 747-100B, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, -400D, 747SR, and 747SP aircraft as referenced in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3244 Revision 4. The action required involves an inspection in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 2003-20-08 Amdt 39-13326. This directive was issued due to reports of shoulder restraint harnesses detaching from the mounting brackets during service on two Model 737-300 series aircraft, where the harnesses were secured using a C-clip. The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and specific. Operators of the affected Boeing 747 series aircraft must ensure that the required inspections are conducted by qualified personnel following the detailed technical requirements provided. These inspections must be performed in accordance with the specifications outlined in FAA AD 2003-20-08 Amdt 39-13326, with particular attention to the reference to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3244 Revision 4. The directive stipulates that the compliance must be achieved by a specified date, in this case, 25 December 2003, as revised from the original effective date. Failure to adhere to these requirements can lead to significant safety risks, potentially resulting in the detachment of shoulder restraint harnesses during flight, which could endanger the safety of passengers and crew. Non-compliance with the AD could have serious legal and safety repercussions. While the AD itself does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, breaches of CASR 1998 regulations can lead to civil and criminal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can result in fines, imprisonment, or both. Specifically, the maximum penalties for contravening the CASR 1998 can include fines of up to $210,000 for corporations and $42,000 for individuals, along with potential imprisonment terms. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering strictly to the AD to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.