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/B747/319 Aft Lower Lobe Cargo Compartment
Side Guide Support Fittings
1/2005
Applicability: Model 747-400 and -400F series aircraft, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 747-25A3335 dated 3 July 2003, or later FAA approved revision.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2004-22-10 Amdt 39-13838.
Note: Boeing ASB 747-25A3335 original issue, or later FAA approved revision refers.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 20 January 2005.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 January 2005.
Background: The FAA received reports of cracked/fractured side guide support fittings in the aft lower lobe cargo compartment. Such cracked/fractured support fittings could result in unrestrained cargo shifting in flight and damaging the aircraft structure or systems, with consequent reduced controllability of the aircraft.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 30 November 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 22 December 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) are a key piece of legislation administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. Enacted in 1998 by the Australian Parliament, these regulations provide a framework for the oversight and maintenance of aircraft, aiming to prevent accidents and ensure that all aviation activities comply with safety standards. Part 39 of the CASR 1998 deals with Airworthiness Directives, which are legally binding orders issued by CASA to address identified safety issues with aircraft and aeronautical products. These directives aim to correct unsafe conditions and are issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, with the overarching policy objective of maintaining the highest possible safety standards in the civil aviation sector. This particular Airworthiness Directive addresses cracked/fractured side guide support fittings in Boeing 747-400 and -400F series aircraft, requiring corrective action to prevent potential damage to the aircraft and ensure passenger and crew safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105 and the Airworthiness Directives section, apply to the maintenance and operational standards of civil aircraft within Australia. This legislative instrument mandates particular actions to be taken for the maintenance and safety of aircraft to ensure they meet specified airworthiness standards. In this instance, the Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertains to the Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes, specifically the Model 747-400 and -400F series aircraft as identified in the Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 747-25A3335 dated 3 July 2003, or any subsequent FAA approved revisions. The directive requires adherence to the technical requirements of FAA AD 2004-22-10 Amdt 39-13838 to address the identified unsafe condition of cracked or fractured side guide support fittings in the aft lower lobe cargo compartment. This action is necessary to prevent unrestrained cargo from shifting and potentially damaging the aircraft's structure or systems, thereby ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft. The AD, which became effective on 20 January 2005, applies to all relevant aircraft registered and operating within Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, particularly under PART 39 - 105, mandate that Airworthiness Directives (ADs) be issued to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. In this case, AD/B747/319 pertains specifically to Boeing 747 Series aeroplanes, particularly the Model 747-400 and -400F series, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 747-25A3335 dated 3 July 2003, or any subsequent FAA-approved revision. The directive requires that action be taken to address cracked or fractured side guide support fittings in the aft lower lobe cargo compartment in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2004-22-10 Amdt 39-13838. These actions must be implemented in the circumstances and according to the instructions detailed in the requirement section of the AD, and the compliance must be achieved by the date specified.
Entities governed by this AD, such as aircraft operators and maintenance providers, are obligated to ensure that the specified maintenance and repair actions are carried out on the applicable aircraft models. This includes conducting the necessary inspections and repairs as per the FAA AD 2004-22-10 Amdt 39-13838, which may involve replacing or reinforcing the side guide support fittings. These obligations are critical to preventing potential in-flight hazards, such as shifting cargo that could damage aircraft structures or systems, thereby compromising the aircraft’s controllability.
Failure to comply with this AD could result in serious consequences. Non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The potential penalties for non-compliance can be substantial, with fines up to $275,000 for corporations and $55,000 for individuals. Additionally, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take further enforcement measures, such as grounding the aircraft until the required actions are completed. These stringent penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the AD to maintain the highest safety standards in aviation.