AD/B747/65 - Fuselage - Main Frame - Tail Section 48

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which are part of the legislative framework governing aviation safety in Australia, include specific directives intended to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive is AD/B747/65, which pertains to the fuselage, main frame, and tail section of Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns identified in the operation of these aircraft, specifically focusing on reported structural issues such as cracks in splice fittings and failures of tension bolts due to stress corrosion. The directive mandates compliance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2280 and references FAA AD 87-24-02 Amendment 39-5768, aiming to rectify these issues and prevent potential safety hazards. The enactment of these regulations by the Australian Government, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, underscores the policy objective of maintaining stringent safety standards for commercial aviation to protect passengers, crew, and the general public.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates airworthiness directives for ensuring the safe operation of civil aircraft in Australia. In this context, the legislation applies to Boeing 747 series aeroplanes in line positions 001 to 200, mandating compliance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2280 for addressing structural integrity issues. This requirement arises from reported incidents of cracks on splice fittings and broken tension bolts due to stress corrosion, necessitating corrective actions as outlined in the directive. The directive aligns with the Federal Aviation Administration's AD 87-24-02 Amendment 39-5768, ensuring a uniform approach to safety across jurisdictions. Compliance with this directive is imperative unless the specified actions have already been completed, as detailed in the Requirement Document. The scope of the legislation extends nationally, impacting all operators of affected Boeing 747 aeroplanes within the Commonwealth of Australia.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, detail specific Airworthiness Directives (AD) for aircraft operations. For the Boeing 747 Series aeroplanes, AD/B747/65 mandates action concerning the fuselage main frame and tail section. This directive applies to all 747 aeroplanes in line positions 001 to 200 (Section 1). The requirement is that operators must comply with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2280 (Section 2). This bulletin provides the necessary steps and procedures to address the identified issues. The directive references FAA AD 87-24-02 Amdt 39-5768, which offers further guidance and context (Section 3). The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties governed by it. Operators of Boeing 747 Series aeroplanes within the specified line positions must ensure compliance with the instructions outlined in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2280. This involves performing the required actions to rectify or mitigate the identified issues with the fuselage main frame and tail section. The directive also mandates that operators verify and document compliance unless the actions have already been accomplished as detailed in the Requirement Document (Section 4). This documentation is crucial for regulatory oversight and ensuring that all necessary safety measures are adhered to. Failure to comply with the AD/B747/65 directive could result in severe consequences. The regulations emphasise the importance of addressing the identified structural issues to prevent potential safety hazards. Non-compliance with the Airworthiness Directives can lead to civil or criminal penalties, as stipulated by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. While the specific maximum penalties are not detailed within the directive, they can include fines or other sanctions as prescribed by relevant aviation authorities. Ensuring adherence to these directives is critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and safeguarding the safety of all passengers and crew (Section 5).