AD/B767/106 - Engine Fire Detection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted to regulate civil aviation safety and to establish airworthiness standards, include specific directives such as AD/B767/106. This particular directive, effective from 5 November 1998, was introduced to address safety concerns regarding the engine fire detection system of Boeing 767 series aeroplanes fitted with Rolls-Royce RB211-524G/H engines. The directive was prompted by a reported combuster burn-through event that compromised the engine fire detection system, resulting in the failure to warn the flight crew of an engine fire. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate modifications to the engine fire detection system to ensure that a fire warning is properly annunciated to the flight crew, thereby preventing delayed or improper responses to engine failures. This legislative measure aims to enhance flight safety by addressing specific vulnerabilities in the engine fire detection systems of the affected aircraft models.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to Airworthiness Directives, includes provisions that are applicable to Boeing 767 series aeroplanes fitted with Rolls-Royce RB211-524G/H engines. This legislation mandates a modification to the engine fire detection system in line with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-26A0103 dated 26 June 1997. This directive was necessitated by a reported incident where a combuster burn-through event led to damage of the engine fire detection system, resulting in the failure to annunciate a fire warning on the flight deck. Compliance with this directive is required at the next engine shop visit but must be completed no later than 5 November 2003, with the directive itself becoming effective on 5 November 1998. The directive is intended to prevent the failure of the engine fire detection system to properly warn the flight crew of an engine fire, which could otherwise lead to delayed or incorrect responses to engine failures.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, include the requirement outlined in AD/B767/106 concerning engine fire detection for Boeing 767 series aeroplanes fitted with Rolls-Royce RB211-524G/H engines. This directive mandates the modification of the engine fire detection system in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-26A0103 dated 26 June 1997 (Section 1). The directive became effective on 5 November 1998 and requires compliance by the next engine shop visit but no later than 5 November 2003 (Section 2). The modifications are necessary to address the risk of a combuster burn-through event that could damage the engine fire detection system, potentially leading to a failure in annunciating a fire warning on the flight deck. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Airworthiness Directive include ensuring that the engine fire detection system is modified as specified by Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-26A0103. This involves adhering to the technical instructions provided in the bulletin, which is referenced by FAA AD 98-17-13 Amdt 39-10715 and Rolls-Royce PLC Service Bulletin RB.211-26-C101. The compliance must occur by the next scheduled engine shop visit and no later than the specified date of 5 November 2003, ensuring that the safety modifications are implemented in a timely manner to mitigate the identified risk. Breaching the requirements set out in this Airworthiness Directive could result in serious safety implications, including the potential for delayed or improper flight crew response to an engine fire, which could compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority enforces strict compliance with these directives, and failure to adhere to the mandated modifications may lead to enforcement actions. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the text provided, violations of airworthiness directives typically result in enforcement actions that could include fines, penalties, or the grounding of non-compliant aircraft until the required modifications are made. Such actions are taken to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety are maintained.