AD/B747/33 Amdt 2 - Wing Trailing Edge Flap Tracks

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establishes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which applies to the maintenance and safety of aircraft within Australian airspace. This legislative instrument addresses issues related to the operational safety of Boeing 747 Series aeroplanes, particularly focusing on structural integrity to prevent corrosion and associated damage. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority granted by the Australian Parliament, enacts these regulations to ensure that all aircraft meet safety standards, thereby protecting public safety and promoting air travel reliability. The policy objective of these directives is to mandate specific actions to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft, as outlined in the Requirement Document, which in this case, references Boeing's Service Bulletin SB747-57A2225 Rev. 4 to rectify water accumulation and resultant corrosion in the wing trailing edge flap tracks.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, apply to Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, excluding the B747SP variant. These regulations are designed to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft by addressing specific issues identified with the wing trailing edge flap tracks, such as water accumulation leading to corrosion and aft web cracking. The applicability of these regulations extends to all Boeing 747 models from line numbers 1 through 584. The legislation mandates compliance with the actions outlined in Boeing Service Bulletin SB747-57A2225 Rev. 4, which corresponds to FAA AD 83-21-02, and includes details on the required corrective actions. The provisions are applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The regulations do not explicitly state exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds but may be further defined or extended through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contains the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes. Within this document, AD/B747/33 Amendment 2 addresses the issue of wing trailing edge flap tracks. This directive applies to Boeing 747 line numbers 1 through 584, excluding the B747SP model (Section 39-105(1)). The primary requirement of this directive is for operators to perform actions in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin SB747-57A2225 Revision 4 (Section 39-105(2)). This service bulletin includes detailed instructions and specifications for addressing water accumulation in the track aft cavity, which has been identified as the cause of corrosion and subsequent aft web cracking. Operators of the specified Boeing 747 aircraft models must comply with the directive by implementing the actions outlined in the Requirement Document (Section 39-105(3)). Compliance involves following the detailed procedures and standards set forth in the Boeing Service Bulletin SB747-57A2225 Revision 4. The directive references the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 83-21-02, which further supports the requirement for corrective actions to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft (Section 39-105(4)). The directive's applicability is limited to specific line numbers of the Boeing 747, ensuring that only those aircraft identified as potentially affected by the issue undergo the necessary maintenance. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/B747/33 Amendment 2 may result in significant legal and operational consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority enforces stringent measures for non-compliance, which can lead to substantial penalties. Operators who fail to adhere to the requirements may face criminal charges under Section 39-105(5) of the Civil Aviation Regulations, which could result in significant fines or imprisonment. Additionally, non-compliance may lead to the grounding of affected aircraft, disrupting operations and potentially impacting passenger safety (Section 39-105(6)). These measures are in place to ensure that all Boeing 747 aircraft maintain their airworthiness and adhere to the highest safety standards.