COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/68
Amdt 1
Engine Overheat, Fire Detection and Fire Extinguishing Systems
11/89
Applicability: All Boeing 747 series aircraft line numbers 489, 494 through 496, 500 through 695,
697 through 699, 701 through 704, 706, 707, 709 through 714, 716, 718 through 720,
and 724.
Requirement: 1. Engine Fire/Overheat Detection and Warning Systems Carry out a functional check of each system in accordance with Boeing Telex M-7201-89-0194 dated 31 January 1989.
2. Engine Fire Extinguishing System Wiring and Plumbing Carry out a functional check of the wiring and plumbing in accordance with Boeing Telex M-7201-89- 0200 dated 31 January 1989 as corrected by Boeing Telex M-7201-89-0284 dated 14 February 1989 for Pratt and Whitney engines; as corrected by Boeing Telex M- 7201-89-0285 dated 14 February 1989 for GE CF6-45/50 engines; and as corrected by Boeing Telex M-7201-89-0290 dated 15 February 1989 for GE CF6-80C2 engines.
Note: The plumbing functional check applies only to aircraft fitted with General Electric CF6 engines.
3. Cargo Compartment Fire Detection System
Carry out a functional check in accordance with Boeing Telex M -7201-89-0197 dated 31 January 1989 as corrected by Boeing Telex M-7201-89-0304 dated
17 February 1989.
4. Cargo Compartment Fire Extinguishing System
Carry out a functional check of the wiring in accordance with Boeing Telex M- 7201-89-0195, and the plumbing in accordance with Boeing Telex M-7201-89- 0195, dated 31 January 1989.
Compliance: Unless previously accomplished, within 25 days from 2 November 1989, and thereafter before next flight following any maintenance action involving Engine Overheat, Fire Detection and/or Fire Extinguishing Systems which could possibly result in cross-connection or mis-connection of any system wiring or plumbing.
Background: There have been reports in the last several months of improperly installed wiring and/or plumbing in the engine and cargo compartment Fire Protection System on various model Boeing aircraft. Whilst the cause of these problems has not been identified in each case, the FAA has determined that, due to design similarity or common production lines, these conditions are likely to exist on other Fire Protection Systems of other Boeing aircraft not covered by previous AD action, and that as a precautionary measure, checks must be performed on specified aircraft.
Amendment 1 to this AD is issued to reflect a revision to the requirement documentation references.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Regulations 1998, introduced a framework for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australia. This legislative instrument addresses the critical issue of maintaining aircraft safety by setting stringent standards and directives for aircraft maintenance and operation. The objective of these regulations is to ensure that all aircraft meet the highest safety standards, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public from the risks associated with aviation accidents. The regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is tasked with ensuring compliance through regular inspections, audits, and directives such as the Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. This specific AD, issued on 11 August 1989, targets the detection and extinguishing systems for engine and cargo compartment fires, reflecting the authority's commitment to proactive safety measures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, outlines the Airworthiness Directives for Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. This regulation applies to all Boeing 747 aircraft with specific line numbers, including 489, 494 through 496, 500 through 695, 697 through 699, 701 through 704, 706, 707, 709 through 714, 716, 718 through 720, and 724. The directive mandates functional checks for engine fire and overheat detection and warning systems, engine fire extinguishing system wiring and plumbing, and cargo compartment fire detection and extinguishing systems in accordance with specific Boeing Telex references. Compliance is required within 25 days from 2 November 1989, and before the next flight following maintenance involving the specified systems. The directive's scope is national, covering all Boeing 747 series aircraft within Australia, and it may be extended or modified through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, Section 105, mandate airworthiness directives concerning Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/B747/68 Amendment 1, addresses engine overheat, fire detection, and fire extinguishing systems. This directive applies to specific line numbers of Boeing 747 aircraft, as outlined in the applicability section (Section 1). The main requirement is to conduct functional checks on various systems to ensure they are operating correctly. This includes the engine fire/overheat detection and warning systems, which must be checked in accordance with Boeing Telex M-7201-89-0194 dated 31 January 1989. The engine fire extinguishing system wiring and plumbing must also be checked, following the instructions in Boeing Telex M-7201-89-0200, with subsequent corrections and specific instructions for different engine types. Additionally, functional checks must be performed on the cargo compartment fire detection and extinguishing systems, in line with specified Boeing telexes and their amendments.
The obligations imposed by this directive require operators and maintainers of affected Boeing 747 aircraft to carry out the specified functional checks. These checks must be completed within 25 days from 2 November 1989 and before any subsequent flight after maintenance that could potentially affect the engine overheat, fire detection, or fire extinguishing systems. The directive underscores the importance of ensuring that wiring and plumbing connections are correct to prevent cross-connections or mis-connections, which could compromise the safety of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/B747/68 Amendment 1 can lead to serious safety concerns, including the risk of engine fires or failures to detect and extinguish fires. The potential consequences of non-compliance can be severe, potentially resulting in accidents that could endanger passengers, crew, and ground personnel. Under Australian aviation law, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of ensuring compliance with safety directives to maintain airworthiness standards.