AD/B747/88 - CWT Secondary Fuel Barrier

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, form a crucial part of the regulatory framework governing civil aviation safety within the country. Specifically, Part 39-105 pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s schedule of airworthiness directives for various aircraft models, including the Boeing 747 series. This legislation aims to address potential safety issues by issuing directives that ensure aircraft meet specific airworthiness standards. The problem it addresses is the potential for the secondary fuel barrier to fail, which could lead to fuel or fuel vapours entering passenger and cargo compartments if the primary seal fails or there is a crack in the centre wing box structure. The objective of this directive, as stated, is to ensure compliance with the technical requirements outlined in the Federal Aviation Administration's AD 91-03-13 Amendment 39-6882, adapted for Australian-registered aircraft with a revised effectivity date of 18 April 1991. The authority to enact these regulations lies with the Parliament of Australia, reflecting the nation's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in its civil aviation sector. The policy objective is to prevent potential hazards by enforcing adherence to specified technical standards and ensuring the structural integrity of aircraft is maintained, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the public from potential aviation risks.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39-105 concerning Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, applies to all aircraft of this model as referenced in Boeing SB 747-57-2253, Revision 1. This regulation is enacted under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and pertains to ensuring the airworthiness of these aircraft, particularly in relation to the secondary fuel barrier. The regulation mandates that action be taken in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in FA AD 91-03-13 Amdt 39-6882, with a specific effectivity date of 18 April 1991 for Australian registered aircraft. This directive aims to mitigate the risk of fuel or fuel vapours entering the cargo and passenger compartments due to a failure of the primary seal or a crack in the centre wing box structure, as reported by the FAA. The regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, imposing its requirements on aircraft operators and relevant entities to ensure compliance with the specified airworthiness directives.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) under Part 39-105 mandate specific requirements for the airworthiness of Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, particularly in relation to the CWT Secondary Fuel Barrier. Section 39-105.005 specifies that the action must be taken in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in FA AD 91-03-13 Amendment 39-6882. This is further referenced in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-57-2253, Revision 1. The directive applies to Model 747 series aircraft as listed in the Boeing Service Bulletin mentioned. Compliance with these directives is crucial, and for Australian registered aircraft, the effectivity date of the compliance is revised to 18 April 1991. The obligations imposed by these regulations are primarily on the operators of Boeing 747 series aircraft. They must ensure that the CWT Secondary Fuel Barrier is correctly installed and maintained as per the specified technical requirements. This involves closely following the guidance provided in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-57-2253, Revision 1, and ensuring that all corrective actions are completed by the specified compliance date. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is responsible for monitoring compliance and may conduct inspections to verify that the necessary modifications have been implemented correctly. Operators are required to keep detailed records of the actions taken and the dates of compliance to demonstrate adherence to these directives. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in severe consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with CASR may lead to civil penalties, including fines. The maximum penalty for contravening the CASR can be substantial, potentially reaching up to $1,260,000 for corporations and $252,000 for individuals, depending on the severity of the breach. Additionally, non-compliance could also result in the grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are made, which could significantly impact the operator's ability to conduct flights and potentially lead to further regulatory actions or legal proceedings.