AD/B747/69 Amdt 2 - Off-Wing Escape Slide System

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, address safety and operational standards for civil aviation in Australia. This legislation ensures the safe operation of aircraft, including the Boeing 747 series, by issuing Airworthiness Directives that mandate corrective actions to mitigate identified safety risks. One such directive, AD/B747/69 Amendment 2, specifically targets the off-wing escape slide system in Boeing 747-100, -200, and -300 series aircraft to address malfunctions due to oil leakage past defective or contaminated ‘o’ rings. The policy objective of this amendment is to enhance the safety of passengers and crew by ensuring the reliability of the escape slide system, in alignment with the Federal Aviation Administration's directives. The directive became effective on 22 May 1997, requiring compliance with the specified technical requirements to rectify identified safety issues.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses airworthiness directives concerning the safety of civil aviation, with a focus on the Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all Boeing 747-100, -200, and -300 series aircraft equipped with an off-wing, two-piece escape slide on door 3, ensuring compliance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 97-03-19 Amdt 39-9924. The directive mandates that these aircraft undergo specified actions to address actuator and thruster malfunctions, which are often due to oil leakage from defective or contaminated ‘o’ rings. Compliance with this Airworthiness Directive is essential, with a revised effective date set for 22 May 1997. This directive extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, governed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and is enforced through subordinate instruments to ensure the highest safety standards in civil aviation.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Airworthiness Directives concerning Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/B747/69 Amdt 2, pertains to the Off-Wing Escape Slide System on the 747-100, -200, and -300 series aircraft equipped with an off-wing, two-piece escape slide on door 3 (Section 105). This directive requires that actions be taken in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 97-03-19 Amdt 39-9924, referencing Boeing SB 747-25-2951 and OEA SB 2174200-25-013. Compliance must be achieved as specified in the Requirement Document, with the revised effective date set as 22 May 1997. The directive itself becomes effective on this date, as stated in Section 105. The obligations imposed by this directive mandate thorough inspections and modifications to ensure airworthiness. Specifically, the directive requires inspection of the door opening thrusters and the door opening/snubbing actuators for proper oil quantity and modification of the off-wing compartment latching assemblies. This is to address issues identified in Amendment 1, which became effective on 2 February 1993, and the original issue of this Airworthiness Directive, effective from 20 April 1989. The requirement to replace the currently installed door opening thrusters with new, improved thrusters is a direct response to reports indicating that the existing FAA AD did not adequately detect leakage of fluid from the actuators. Failure to comply with this directive could result in severe consequences. As per the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives can lead to serious safety hazards, potentially resulting in accidents. The regulatory framework imposes obligations on aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance personnel to adhere to these directives to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. The specific consequences for breaches can include both civil and criminal penalties, depending on the severity of the non-compliance and its impact on aviation safety. The maximum penalties for such breaches can vary but may include substantial fines and potential imprisonment, reflecting the critical importance of adhering to these safety directives.