COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B767/103 Rudder Pedal Pushrods 10/98
Applicability: Model 767 series aircraft; as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0156, dated March 26, 1998.
Requirement: Perform a one-time inspection to detect discrepancies of the fasteners that connect the forward ends of the pushrods to the rudder pedal assemblies, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0156.
Note: FAA AD 98-13-12 Amdt 39-10600 refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, before 10 November 1998.
This airworthiness directive becomes effective on 10 September 1998.
Background: The FAA received a report from an operator indicating that, on a Model 737-400 series aircraft, during rollout after landing, the captain’s right rudder pedal moved to the full travel position when it was pushed. The pedal failed to return to its normal position after it was released even though the rudder remained in the neutral position. Investigation revealed that the forward end of the pushrod on the right rudder pedal was not connected to the rudder pedal assembly. The nut and washer of the pushrod were found in the lower forward compartment. The cause of the missing hardware has been attributed to incorrect installation during manufacture.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, aim to ensure the safety and reliability of civil aviation operations within Australia. One of the key components of these regulations is Part 39, which includes a schedule of airworthiness directives aimed at maintaining the safety standards of various aircraft models. One such directive, AD/B767/103, pertains specifically to Boeing 767 series aeroplanes and mandates a one-time inspection to detect any discrepancies in the fasteners that connect the forward ends of the pushrods to the rudder pedal assemblies. This directive responds to an incident where a Model 737-400 series aircraft experienced an issue with the rudder pedal during rollout, highlighting the importance of ensuring secure connections to prevent potential safety hazards. The policy objective is to maintain the airworthiness of these aircraft by addressing specific mechanical issues that could compromise flight safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the application of airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The scope of this particular directive, AD/B767/103, applies to Boeing 767 series aeroplanes, as detailed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0156 dated March 26, 1998. The requirement is a one-time inspection of the fasteners that connect the forward ends of the pushrods to the rudder pedal assemblies to detect any discrepancies. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for the specified aircraft model, with the inspection needing to be completed before 10 November 1998, following the directive's effective date of 10 September 1998. The directive arises from a reported incident where a Model 737-400 series aircraft experienced a malfunction in the rudder pedal assembly during rollout, traced back to missing hardware due to incorrect installation during manufacture.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish critical requirements for ensuring the airworthiness of Boeing 767 series aeroplanes, as outlined in the Airworthiness Directive (AD/B767/103). The directive mandates a one-time inspection of the fasteners that connect the forward ends of the rudder pedal pushrods to the rudder pedal assemblies, as detailed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0156. This inspection is intended to detect any discrepancies that could compromise the safe operation of the aircraft. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be completed before 10 November 1998 for all applicable aircraft.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the operators and maintenance personnel of Boeing 767 series aircraft. These obligations include conducting a thorough inspection of the rudder pedal pushrods to ensure that the fasteners are correctly installed and secure. The inspection must be performed in accordance with the procedures outlined in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-27A0156. Operators must ensure that all affected aircraft are inspected and any necessary repairs or replacements are carried out before the specified compliance date.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can result in serious safety implications and may lead to significant legal and financial consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the directive itself, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations could potentially lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions could include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory sanctions. The severity of the penalties would depend on the specific circumstances of the non-compliance and the impact on aviation safety.