Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, are the primary piece of legislation governing civil aviation safety in Australia, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Specifically, PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITYSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES is concerned with Airworthiness Directives, which are regulatory measures introduced to address specific safety concerns. This particular Airworthiness Directive, issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, targets Boeing 767 series aeroplanes that have been modified by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA5134NM. The directive aims to correct an unsafe condition by requiring modifications to the in-flight entertainment system's electrical power source, ensuring that the flight crew can remove power from the system during non-normal or emergency situations to prevent smoke or fumes in the flight deck or cabin. The policy objective behind this measure is to enhance the overall safety of aviation operations by addressing specific technical deficiencies identified in certain aircraft models.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive applies specifically to Boeing 767-200 series aeroplanes that have been modified in accordance with the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA5134NM. The directive mandates modifications to the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system to ensure safety in flight operations, particularly by changing the source of electrical power for the IFE system from the main electrical bus to a utility electrical bus, as specified in Flight Structures Service Bulletin (SB) 90FS062-23-01, Revision 2, dated 21 September 2000. This requirement must be adhered to by all operators of affected aircraft to mitigate risks associated with the inability to control smoke or fumes in the flight deck or cabin during non-normal or emergency situations. Compliance with the directive is mandatory and must be achieved within 18 months from the effective date of the directive, which is 4 October 2001, as notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 12 September 2001. Any IFE installation on aeroplanes must strictly follow this directive to remain compliant.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, specify the requirements for issuing Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safety of aircraft. An AD is a formal and legally binding requirement issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to correct an unsafe condition on a particular type of aircraft or aeronautical product. The AD in question, AD/B767/151, pertains specifically to Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes that have been modified by the FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA5134NM. This particular AD applies to Boeing 767-200 series aeroplanes that have undergone modifications in accordance with the FAA STC SA5134NM. The directive mandates two primary requirements: first, the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system must be modified to change the source of electrical power from the main electrical bus to a utility electrical bus, in accordance with Flight Structures Service Bulletin (SB) 90FS062-23-01, Revision 2, dated 21 September 2000. Second, any IFE installed on aeroplanes in accordance with STC SA5134NM must be modified as per the aforementioned SB. These modifications are crucial to ensure that, in non-normal or emergency situations, the flight crew can remove power from the IFE system, thereby preventing potential control issues related to smoke or fumes. Operators and owners of the affected Boeing 767-200 series aeroplanes must adhere to the specified requirements within the timelines outlined in the directive. For Requirement 1, the modification to the IFE system must be completed within 18 months from the effective date of the AD. For Requirement 2, the restriction on installing IFE unless it is modified in accordance with the SB must be followed as of the effective date of the directive, which is 4 October 2001. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in significant safety hazards, as outlined in the directive. Non-compliance with the provisions of this AD could result in civil and criminal penalties. The Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations may impose fines and other sanctions for failure to comply with ADs. In severe cases, CASA may take enforcement actions such as grounding the aircraft until the required modifications are made. The maximum penalties for non-compliance can include substantial fines and, in some instances, criminal charges against individuals or corporations responsible for the non-compliance.