COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B767/11 Main Landing Gear Drag Brace Upper Spindle 6/86
Applicability: All models with line positions 2 to 34, 36 to 62, and 64. Requirement: Action in accordance with Boeing SB No. 767-32-0044. Compliance: Before exceeding 9,000 landings.
Background: After a fracture occurred on the fatigue test, it was discovered that the root radius on the spindle threads was undersize. The manufacturer suspects that this problem may occur on all spindles with S/Nos. from HM0001 to HM0133. This AD has been raised because SB 767-32-0044 has been identified by the 767 Maintenance Planning Document as having flight safety implications.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, form the backbone of Australia's regulatory framework for civil aviation safety, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. One of the key instruments under this regulation is the Airworthiness Directive AD/B767/11, which was introduced in 1986 to address a critical safety issue identified in Boeing 767 series aeroplanes. This directive specifically targets the Main Landing Gear Drag Brace Upper Spindle, requiring compliance with Boeing Service Bulletin No. 767-32-0044 before the aircraft exceeds 9,000 landings. The directive was necessitated by a fracture observed during fatigue testing, which revealed that the root radius on the spindle threads was undersized, posing a potential safety risk. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority mandated this directive to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the affected Boeing 767 models, with specific attention to aircraft with line positions and serial numbers within the identified range.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to Airworthiness Directives, applies to the Boeing 767 Series aeroplanes, encompassing models with line positions ranging from 2 to 34, 36 to 62, and 64. The regulation mandates adherence to Boeing Service Bulletin No. 767-32-0044, which is imperative for maintaining airworthiness before the aeroplane exceeds 9,000 landings. The regulation is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniform safety standards for all operators of Boeing 767 aeroplanes within the nation. This directive does not specify exclusions or exemptions; however, it is implicitly understood that all applicable aircraft must comply with the outlined maintenance actions to address the identified safety concerns.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, which deals with airworthiness directives, includes AD/B767/11 concerning Boeing 767 series aeroplanes. This directive (section 1) applies to all models with line positions 2 to 34, 36 to 62, and 64. It requires operators to comply with Boeing Service Bulletin No. 767-32-0044 to address an identified safety issue with the main landing gear drag brace upper spindle (section 2). The requirement is to take corrective action before the aeroplane exceeds 9,000 landings (section 3).
Operators of Boeing 767 series aeroplanes must ensure compliance with the specified service bulletin. This involves conducting the necessary inspections and repairs on the main landing gear drag brace upper spindle to mitigate the risk of fracture due to undersized root radius on the spindle threads. The compliance must be achieved before the aeroplane reaches 9,000 landings, ensuring that the identified safety issue is addressed in a timely manner.
Failure to comply with this directive could result in serious safety implications, potentially leading to structural failure during flight. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance and may take enforcement action against operators who fail to adhere to the specified requirements. This could include imposing fines, grounding the aircraft, or other regulatory actions deemed necessary to ensure compliance with aviation safety standards.
In the event of non-compliance, operators may face civil penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which could include fines of up to $1,080,000 for corporations and $216,000 for individuals, depending on the severity of the breach. Additionally, CASA may pursue criminal charges in cases of serious non-compliance, which could result in imprisonment. The exact penalties are determined by the court based on the nature and extent of the breach, but the potential consequences highlight the importance of strict adherence to the airworthiness directive.