AD/B767/104 - Main Landing Gear Front Trunnion Support Pin

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, was enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia to regulate airworthiness and safety within the aviation industry. One of the specific instruments under this regulation is the Airworthiness Directive AD/B767/104, which was introduced to address the identified problem of corrosion in the main landing gear front trunnion support pins of Boeing 767 series aeroplanes. This directive became effective on 8 October 1998, and its primary objective is to ensure that all affected aircraft are inspected and maintained according to the technical requirements specified in FAA AD 98-16-07 Amdt 39-10683. This directive was a response to reports of plating cracks leading to corrosion, which could potentially cause breakage and compromise the integrity of the landing gear. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives aims to maintain high safety standards in the aviation sector by enforcing specific maintenance and inspection protocols. The AD/B767/104 directive highlights the importance of addressing structural integrity issues promptly to prevent catastrophic failures. By referencing the FAA's technical requirements and Boeing's Alert Service Bulletin 767-57A0047 Revision 1, this directive ensures that operators of Boeing 767 series aircraft adhere to stringent safety measures, thereby safeguarding the travelling public and aviation personnel.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically addresses the applicability of Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft types, including the Boeing 767 series aeroplanes. This particular directive, AD/B767/104, mandates the inspection of the main landing gear front trunnion support pin for model 767 series aircraft within line positions 1 through 562. The directive is intended to address the identified issue of corrosion in the pin assemblies, which could potentially lead to breakage and subsequent collapse of the main landing gear. Compliance with this directive is essential, as it is enforced in accordance with the technical requirements specified in FAA AD 98-16-07 Amdt 39-10683, and it became effective on 8 October 1998. Additionally, Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-57A0047 Revision 1 provides further reference for the inspection procedure. This directive applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all relevant operators and maintenance entities adhere to the stipulated safety requirements to maintain airworthiness standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, Section 105 outlines the specific requirements for the airworthiness of Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the main landing gear front trunnion support pin. This directive (AD/B767/104) applies to all Boeing 767 series aircraft with line positions from 1 through 562. According to section 105, the primary requirement is to conduct an inspection of the main landing gear front trunnion support pin in accordance with the technical requirements specified in FAA AD 98-16-07 Amendment 39-10683. This inspection is mandated to ensure that any signs of corrosion, particularly those resulting from plating cracks, are identified and addressed. Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-57A0047 Revision 1 provides further guidance on the inspection process. Compliance with these inspection requirements is necessary to maintain the safety standards of the aircraft, with the directive becoming effective from 8 October 1998. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, the entities governed by this directive must ensure that all inspections are conducted thoroughly and in accordance with the specified technical requirements. The inspections should be performed by qualified personnel who are familiar with the Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes and the particular issues related to the main landing gear front trunnion support pin. Operators and owners of Boeing 767 aircraft must ensure that the inspections are documented and that any issues identified are resolved in a timely manner. This obligation extends to ensuring that all maintenance records are kept up to date and are readily available for review by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) upon request. Failure to comply with these obligations can result in severe consequences for the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, Section 105, can lead to serious civil and criminal consequences. The legislation does not explicitly detail specific offences or penalties within the text provided, but non-compliance generally results in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions can include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, and potentially criminal charges if the non-compliance is deemed to have caused or contributed to an aviation incident or accident. The severity of the penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, as well as any resultant safety implications. It is imperative for operators and owners of Boeing 767 series aircraft to adhere strictly to these regulations to avoid any legal ramifications.