COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/48
Amdt 2
Nacelle Strut Midspar Fitting Lugs 13/93 DM
Applicability: All Model 747 series aircraft.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 93-17-07 Amdt 39- 8678.
Note: Boeing ASB 747-54A2152 refers.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement Document with a revised effective date of 13 October 1993 for Australian registered aircraft.
Background: Fatigue cracking had been reported in the lug bores. The cracking was thought to have initiated at corrosion pits. Terminating action for repeated inspections consisted of removal of the existing press-fit bushings from the midspar fitting, inspection of the lugs, removal of any corrosion, and installation of roller-swaged, shrink-fit bushings.
Amendment 1 was issued to align this Directive with the issue of a FAA AD which reduced certain inspection intervals, removed the optional terminating action for repetitive inspections of the lugs, and added aircraft to the applicability of the AD. This action was in response to a report of fatigue cracking which occurred well below the inspection threshold, and additionally, numerous reports of migration of the press- fit and roller-swaged, shrink-fitted bushings.
Amendment 2 is issued in response to the issue of a new FAA AD which is prompted by the results of flight tests, conducted to determine strut-to-wing interface loads, and by additional reports of cracked lugs.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, contain a comprehensive framework for ensuring the safety of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 within this regulation, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, addresses the maintenance and safety requirements for various aircraft models, including the Boeing 747 series. This legislation was enacted to address the need for stringent safety standards and regular inspections to prevent mechanical failures and ensure the safe operation of aircraft. The policy objective is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation by mandating specific actions and inspections in response to identified issues, such as fatigue cracking and corrosion in critical aircraft components. Compliance with these directives is essential to mitigate risks associated with aircraft operations and to align Australian standards with international safety benchmarks set by bodies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, mandates specific technical requirements to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft. This legislation applies to all Model 747 series aircraft registered in Australia, and it requires compliance with the technical specifications detailed in FAA AD 93-17-07 Amendment 39-8678. This includes actions such as the inspection and replacement of nacelle strut midspar fitting lugs to address reported issues of fatigue cracking, which are believed to originate from corrosion pits. The directive also references Boeing ASB 747-54A2152 for further technical guidance. Compliance with these requirements is necessary for Australian registered aircraft, with a specific effective date of 13 October 1993, adjusted in subsequent amendments to reflect changes in FAA directives. The legislation ensures that all relevant modifications and inspections are conducted to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft, responding to reports of fatigue cracking and bushing migration issues.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105 (3), mandate that all operators of Boeing 747 series aircraft must comply with Airworthiness Directive AD/B747/48 Amendment 2. This directive addresses the issue of fatigue cracking in nacelle strut midspar fitting lugs, which has been identified as a safety concern (section 1). The directive requires that operators take specific actions to ensure the safety of their aircraft, which include following the technical requirements of FAA AD 93-17-07 Amendment 39-8678 (section 1). Boeing ASB 747-54A2152 provides further guidance, and the compliance date for Australian registered aircraft was revised to 13 October 1993 (section 1).
The directive imposes a number of obligations on the operators of Boeing 747 series aircraft. These include the removal of existing press-fit bushings from the midspar fitting, thorough inspection of the lugs for any signs of fatigue cracking, removal of any corrosion, and installation of roller-swaged, shrink-fit bushings (section 1). Operators must ensure these actions are completed in accordance with the specified requirements to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/B747/48 Amendment 2 could result in serious safety issues. While the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, operators can be held liable for any incidents or accidents that arise from failure to adhere to airworthiness directives. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement actions against non-compliant operators, which can include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory actions (section 3). The severity of the penalties can vary depending on the circumstances of the non-compliance and the potential risk to safety.