COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/64
Amdt 4
Wing Centre Section - Front Spar Lower Chord Splice Fitting Bolts
9/90
Applicability: All models B747-200 and -300 series aeroplanes with line numbers 1 to 720. Requirement: Action in accordance with FAA AD 90-11-08 Amdt 39-6609, Parts A, B and C.
Note 1: Boeing Alert SB 747-57A2247 Rev 3 refers.
Note 2: FAA AD 88-11-11 referred to in the previous issue of this CAO Directive.
Compliance: For Part A: Unless previously accomplished within the last 350 hours time in service prior to 6 September 1990, within 50 hours time in service after 6 September 1990, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 400 hours time in service until terminating action is accomplished in accordance with the Requirement Document.
For Part B: Unless already accomplished, Prior to 31 July 1993. For Part C: Unless already accomplished, Prior to 31 July 1993.
Background: Country of origin AD. There have been overseas reports of fuel leakage into the forward cargo compartment which could result in a fire and substantial damage. Amendment 4 to this Directive references latest FAA AD as the Requirement document. This requires visual inspections as per the previous CAO Directive issue, but, requires terminating actions and inspection of centre wing fuel tank secondary fuel barriers to be accomplished prior to specified date.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, is a comprehensive piece of legislation enacted by the Australian Parliament to regulate civil aviation and ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel within Australia. One specific legislative instrument, F2006B03244, pertains to the Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes and addresses issues relating to the structural integrity of the wing centre section, particularly the front spar lower chord splice fitting bolts. This legislation was introduced to mitigate the risk of fuel leakage into the forward cargo compartment, which could potentially lead to fires and significant damage. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the body responsible for enforcing these regulations, with a clear policy objective to enhance the safety of civil aviation by issuing Airworthiness Directives that mandate specific actions and inspections on aircraft to ensure compliance with safety standards.
The directive AD/B747/64 Amendment 4 requires actions in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airworthiness Directive (AD) 90-11-08 Amendment 39-6609, Parts A, B, and C, to be performed on Boeing 747-200 and -300 series aeroplanes. The directive specifies timelines for visual inspections and terminating actions to be completed to prevent fuel leakage and associated hazards. Compliance mandates that certain inspections and actions be undertaken within specific intervals of flight hours and before particular dates, ensuring that the aircraft remain airworthy and safe for operation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, applies to all Boeing 747-200 and -300 series aeroplanes with line numbers 1 to 720, setting forth stringent airworthiness directives intended to ensure safety standards are met. This regulation mandates that specific actions concerning the wing centre section front spar lower chord splice fitting bolts be taken in accordance with FAA AD 90-11-08 Amdt 39-6609, Parts A, B, and C, with reference to Boeing Alert SB 747-57A2247 Rev 3 and FAA AD 88-11-11. These directives include compliance with detailed inspection and maintenance schedules to prevent potential fuel leaks that could lead to fires and significant damage. The regulation's applicability is enforced across the Commonwealth of Australia by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring that the specified maintenance actions are carried out within prescribed timeframes and intervals to maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically in Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD/B747/64 Amdt 4), pertains to the Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, models B747-200 and -300, with line numbers ranging from 1 to 720. This legislation mandates action in accordance with FAA AD 90-11-08 Amdt 39-6609, which includes Parts A, B, and C. Notably, this directive references Boeing Alert SB 747-57A2247 Rev 3 and the previous FAA AD 88-11-11.
For compliance, the regulations require that Part A inspections must be carried out within 50 hours of time in service after 6 September 1990 unless they have been performed within the last 350 hours prior to this date, and should not exceed intervals of 400 hours until the final action is completed as per the requirement document. Similarly, Parts B and C must be completed before 31 July 1993 if they have not already been accomplished.
The obligations imposed by this Act are primarily centred around ensuring the safety and airworthiness of Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, particularly in relation to the front spar lower chord splice fitting bolts. This involves regular and thorough inspections and maintenance, particularly given the risk of fuel leakage into the forward cargo compartment, which could potentially lead to fires and significant damage.
Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to severe consequences. The specific penalties are not detailed within the legislative instrument, but non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in significant penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. This may include substantial fines and other enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such non-compliance not only risks the safety of passengers and crew but can also lead to grounding of the aircraft, operational disruptions, and potential criminal charges if the breach is found to be negligent or willful.