COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B747/82
Amdt 2
Main Deck Cargo Compartment 8/93
Applicability: Model 747 equipped with a main deck class B cargo compartment with a volume exceeding 5.66 cubic metres (200 cubic feet).
Requirement: Unless previously accomplished, action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 93-07-15 Amdt 39-8547.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement Document with a revised effective date of 22 July 1993 for Australian registered aircraft.
Background: Following the loss of a Boeing model 747-200 “Combi” aircraft that developed a major fire in the main deck cargo compartment, the FAA carried out an evaluation of fire protection requirements of such aircraft. The conclusion indicated that the fire protection requirements for class B cargo compartments are inadequate.
Amendment 1 was raised to apply FAA AD 91-10-02 which superseded AD 89-18- 12R1 and provides some relief from the previous requirements.
Amendment 2 is raised to apply FAA AD 93-07-15 which supersedes AD 91-10-02.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to regulate civil aviation safety, and it includes a schedule of airworthiness directives to ensure that aircraft meet specific safety standards. One such directive, AD/B747/82 Amendment 2, addresses the issue of inadequate fire protection in the main deck cargo compartments of Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. This amendment was introduced in response to a significant incident where a Boeing 747-200 "Combi" aircraft experienced a major fire in the main deck cargo compartment, leading to its loss. The objective of this directive is to mandate compliance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 93-07-15 Amendment 39-8547, ensuring that Australian registered Boeing 747 aircraft equipped with a main deck class B cargo compartment exceeding 5.66 cubic metres (200 cubic feet) adhere to the revised fire protection standards effective from 22 July 1993.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the application of AD/B747/82 Amendment 2, which pertains to Boeing 747 series aeroplanes with a main deck cargo compartment of class B and a volume exceeding 5.66 cubic metres (200 cubic feet). This regulation is applicable to all aircraft of the specified model registered in Australia. The directive requires compliance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 93-07-15 Amendment 39-8547, ensuring that the aircraft's main deck cargo compartment adheres to specified fire protection measures. This requirement was established after an incident involving the loss of a Boeing 747-200 “Combi” aircraft due to a fire in the main deck cargo compartment, prompting a review by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The amendment is effective as of 22 July 1993 for Australian registered aircraft, superseding previous directives to ensure enhanced safety standards. The regulation does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions but extends its application through subordinate instruments to ensure compliance with the specified requirements.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for various aircraft, including the Boeing 747 series aeroplanes (Section 39-105). One such directive, AD/B747/82 Amendment 2, pertains to the main deck cargo compartment of Boeing 747 aircraft equipped with a main deck class B cargo compartment exceeding 5.66 cubic metres (200 cubic feet). This directive requires that certain technical actions be taken unless they have already been completed (Section 39-105(1)). These actions must align with the technical requirements specified in FAA AD 93-07-15 Amendment 39-8547. For Australian registered aircraft, compliance with these requirements must be achieved by the revised effective date of 22 July 1993, as outlined in the Requirement Document (Section 39-105(2)).
The AD imposes specific obligations on aircraft operators and maintenance providers to ensure the safety of the aircraft by adhering to the prescribed technical requirements. This includes conducting thorough inspections and implementing necessary modifications to the fire protection systems within the main deck cargo compartment to mitigate the risk of fire (Section 39-105(3)). The directive mandates that any work performed must meet the standards set forth by the FAA, ensuring that the aircraft meets the required safety benchmarks before resuming operations (Section 39-105(4)). Operators must also ensure that all personnel involved in the compliance process are adequately trained and certified to perform the required tasks (Section 39-105(5)).
Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce penalties for non-compliance. In cases of significant non-compliance, CASA may issue enforcement notices, impose fines, or take legal action against the offending party (Section 39-105(6)). The maximum penalties for such offences can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment for individuals responsible for the oversight of the aircraft (Section 39-105(7)). Additionally, non-compliance may lead to the grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are satisfactorily completed, thereby impacting the operator’s ability to conduct flights (Section 39-105(8)).