COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety 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 CASR 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/B747/311 Section 42 Skin and Doubler at Ground Exhaust
Valve Cutout
9/2004
Applicability: Model 747-400 and -400D series aircraft, as listed in paragraph 1.A., “Effectivity,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2340 Revision 2, dated 24 April 2003.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2004-13-15 Amdt 39-13697.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 2 September 2004.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 2 September 2004.
Background: Skin cracks have been found on Boeing’s fatigue test article at the skin cutout for the ground exhaust valve for the cooling system for electrical equipment.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 July 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 August 2004.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 were enacted to ensure that civil aviation operations in Australia maintain high safety standards, and to provide a regulatory framework for the certification and airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products. The enactment of this regulation aimed to fill the gap in ensuring that aircraft and their components meet the necessary safety requirements to protect passengers and crew. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Australian Parliament and is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), whose primary policy objective is to ensure the safety of the aviation industry in Australia. The Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 aims to address specific safety issues identified with particular aircraft models, such as the Boeing 747 series, by requiring corrective actions to be taken to rectify any unsafe conditions. These directives are critical in maintaining the safety and reliability of aircraft in Australian airspace.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the maintenance and airworthiness of aircraft within the Australian jurisdiction, encompassing the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate's responsibility to issue Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure the safety of civil aviation. This particular AD, numbered AD/B747/311, pertains to the Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes, more precisely the Model 747-400 and -400D series aircraft as detailed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2340 Revision 2 dated 24 April 2003. The directive mandates specific action to rectify an unsafe condition identified in the skin and doubler at the ground exhaust valve cutout of these aircraft, as per the technical requirements of FAA AD 2004-13-15 Amdt 39-13697. Compliance with this directive must be achieved by 2 September 2004, with the AD itself becoming effective on that date. This regulation applies nationwide across Australia, and there are no exclusions or exemptions specified within the directive. However, the scope of the AD may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, ensuring continuous oversight and safety compliance within the aviation industry.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Airworthiness Directive (AD/B747/311) detail specific requirements and compliance instructions for Boeing 747-400 and -400D series aircraft. Section 42 pertains to the skin and doubler at the ground exhaust valve cutout, with the directive becoming effective on 2 September 2004. The requirement section mandates action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2004-13-15 Amdt 39-13697, and compliance must occur as specified in the requirement document. This directive applies to aircraft listed in paragraph 1.A. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2340 Revision 2, dated 24 April 2003.
The obligations imposed by the AD include ensuring that all applicable Boeing 747-400 and -400D series aircraft undergo the necessary modifications to address skin cracks found at the skin cutout for the ground exhaust valve of the cooling system for electrical equipment. This involves adhering strictly to the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 2004-13-15 Amdt 39-13697. Aircraft operators and maintenance personnel must follow these instructions meticulously to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensure safety standards are met. Compliance with the directive is mandatory, with specific actions to be completed by the effective date of 2 September 2004.
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may impose penalties on non-compliant aircraft operators, which can include fines or other regulatory actions. Additionally, operating an aircraft that does not meet the airworthiness standards set forth in the directive can lead to grounding of the aircraft, which poses significant safety risks and operational disruptions. It is imperative for all parties governed by this AD to adhere to the specified requirements to avoid these potential penalties and maintain the safety of air travel.