AD/B767/10 - Main Landing Gear Shock Strut

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, introduced the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives to address the need for stringent safety measures in the operation of aircraft in Australia. This legislation was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to ensure that civil aviation operations meet the highest safety standards, thereby protecting the public and enhancing the integrity of the national airspace. The policy objective behind this directive is to mitigate risks associated with aircraft components by issuing mandatory safety instructions, thereby preventing incidents such as the fatigue fracture observed in Boeing 767 series aeroplanes. This Act mandates specific actions to be taken on the main landing gear shock struts, requiring inspections and modifications to prevent potential structural failures that could compromise flight safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Airworthiness Directives for civil aviation safety in Australia, with a focus on the Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation applies to all models of Boeing 767 aeroplanes that have line positions ranging from 2 to 64 inclusive. The directive mandates compliance with Boeing Service Bulletin No. 767-32-0045, which requires an inspection of the main landing gear shock strut to ensure airworthiness. This action must be taken before the aeroplane exceeds 18,000 landings to address a fatigue fracture issue that originated at a lubrication hole where the upper torsion link attaches to the outer cylinder. The directive is necessary due to identified flight safety implications as outlined in the 767 Maintenance Planning Document. The application of this regulation is nationally enforced under the Commonwealth of Australia and extends to all relevant aircraft within the specified parameters. No exclusions or exemptions are explicitly stated in this directive.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/B767/10, pertain to the maintenance requirements for Boeing 767 series aeroplanes, focusing on the main landing gear shock strut. Section (1) outlines the applicability of this directive, stating it applies to all models with line positions 2 to 64 inclusive. Section (2) mandates that actions must be taken in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin No. 767-32-0045. Section (3) specifies the compliance requirement, which necessitates an inspection and potential modification before the aeroplane exceeds 18,000 landings. The obligations imposed on the parties or entities governed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators of Boeing 767 series aeroplanes must adhere to the instructions outlined in Boeing Service Bulletin No. 767-32-0045. This includes conducting a thorough inspection of the critical area of the main landing gear shock strut, particularly the area where the upper torsion link is attached to the outer cylinder. If necessary, operators must enlarge the hole edge radius to reduce the risk of cracking, as identified in the Service Bulletin. These measures are crucial to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this directive can result in serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance may be considered an offence, leading to potential civil or criminal penalties. The specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, but generally, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in substantial fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges against the responsible individuals or entities. Additionally, failure to adhere to these safety directives could compromise the safety of the aircraft, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences.