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/B747/315 Wing Landing Gear Outer Cylinder 11/2004
Applicability: All Model 747 series aircraft.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2004-16-05 Amdt 39-13761.
Note: Boeing Service Bulletins 747-32-2472 original issue, and 747-32-2131 Revision 2; or a later revision approved by the FAA, refer.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 28 October 2004.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 28 October 2004.
Background: This Directive requires inspection to determine whether the outer cylinder of the wing landing gear has certain part numbers, and replacement of the outer cylinder of the wing landing gear with a new, improved, or reworked part, if necessary. Fracture of an affected outer cylinder of a wing landing gear could result in collapse of the landing gear.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 16 September 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 6 October 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, amended through F2006B03209, were enacted to ensure that civil aviation in Australia adheres to stringent safety standards. This legislative instrument was introduced to address safety concerns associated with the outer cylinder of the wing landing gear in Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) to mandate corrective actions to prevent potential collapses of the landing gear due to fractures in the specified part. The AD requires inspections and necessary replacements of the outer cylinder, in alignment with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) technical requirements. This directive aims to mitigate the risk of unsafe conditions that could compromise the aircraft's structural integrity and operational safety. CASA, as the regulatory body, ensures compliance with these safety standards to protect both passengers and crew.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, mandates the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australia. These ADs apply to all persons, entities, and industries involved in the maintenance and operation of aircraft, with a particular focus on the specified aircraft model and component mentioned in each directive. In this instance, AD/B747/315 pertains to all Model 747 series aircraft, which includes commercial and private entities operating such aircraft within the jurisdiction of Australia. The directive does not specify exclusions or exemptions, but it does set a compliance deadline for the action specified in the requirement section. The AD extends its application through reference to FAA directives and Boeing service bulletins, thereby integrating international standards into Australian civil aviation safety protocols. The AD becomes effective on the specified date, in this case, 28 October 2004, as published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes, specifically regarding the Wing Landing Gear Outer Cylinder, is detailed under section 11/2004. This AD applies to all Model 747 series aircraft, as stated in the applicability section. The requirement section mandates that the action taken must align with the technical specifications outlined in FAA AD 2004-16-05 Amdt 39-13761, with references to Boeing Service Bulletins 747-32-2472 and 747-32-2131 Revision 2, or any subsequent revisions approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Compliance with these requirements must occur as per the instructions detailed in the requirement section, and the AD became effective from 28 October 2004, as mentioned in the compliance section.
Entities governed by this AD, including aircraft operators and maintenance organisations, are obligated to inspect the outer cylinder of the wing landing gear to determine if it has specific part numbers, as mandated by the directive. If the outer cylinder is found to have these part numbers, it must be replaced with a new, improved, or reworked part, as per the FAA's specifications. These obligations ensure that the identified unsafe condition—the potential fracture of the outer cylinder which could lead to landing gear collapse—is rectified. Compliance must be achieved within the timeframe specified, and adherence to the detailed instructions is critical to maintaining airworthiness.
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive can result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces strict penalties for non-compliance, which may include substantial fines and legal action against the offending entity. The maximum penalties are not explicitly stated in the AD but can be severe, reflecting the critical nature of the safety issue addressed by the directive. Non-compliance could also lead to grounding of the affected aircraft until the required actions are satisfactorily completed, potentially disrupting operations and incurring additional costs for the operator.