Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), enacted by the Parliament of Australia, provide the legal framework for the regulation of civil aviation in Australia, ensuring the safety and efficiency of aviation operations. Part 39 of the CAR 1998 specifically addresses airworthiness directives, which are regulatory measures issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety issues with aircraft or aeronautical products. The policy objective behind these directives is to mandate corrective actions that mitigate or eliminate unsafe conditions, thereby safeguarding the public and enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation. One such directive is AD/B767/157, issued in 2001 for Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes, which addresses fuel leaks from slat track housing drain tubes, a safety issue identified through operator reports and subsequent investigation. This Airworthiness Directive requires operators to take specific action to rectify the identified unsafe condition, aligning with the technical requirements set out by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and referenced Boeing Service Bulletins.

Scope and Application

This legislative instrument, part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), specifically pertains to the Boeing 767 series aircraft, covering line numbers 1 through 757. The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the CAR 1998 mandates corrective actions to address unsafe conditions concerning the slat track housing drain tubes in the affected aircraft models. This directive requires operators to undertake specific technical actions as outlined in FAA AD 2001-14-19 Amdt 39-12330, referencing Boeing Service Bulletins 767-57A0060 Revision 1 and 767-57-0068. The directive becomes effective from 1 November 2001, and compliance with the specified actions must be achieved by the revised effective date of 1 November 2001, as detailed in the requirement document. The directive aims to rectify fuel leaks originating from cracks in the drain tubes and to ensure proper installation and bonding specifications are met.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically addresses the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). An AD is a formal notification issued by CASA to aircraft operators and manufacturers regarding safety concerns. In this case, AD/B767/157 pertains to Boeing 767 series aircraft, specifically line numbers 1 through 757 (Section 1). The AD mandates corrective actions to address fuel leaks from slat track housing drain tubes where the tubes penetrate the lower wing skin, as reported by operators. The requirement is to follow the technical specifications outlined in FAA AD 2001-14-19 Amdt 39-12330, which includes references to Boeing Service Bulletins 767-57A0060 Revision 1 and 767-57-0068 (Section 2). Compliance with this directive must be achieved by the specified date mentioned in the requirement document, with a revised effective date of 1 November 2001 (Section 3). Operators and manufacturers of Boeing 767 series aircraft must adhere to the requirements set out in this Airworthiness Directive. Specifically, they are obligated to inspect and, if necessary, replace the slat track housing drain tubes to prevent fuel leaks caused by cracks in the tubes. This action is necessary to mitigate the identified safety risk. The directive stipulates that these actions must be carried out in accordance with the instructions provided by the FAA AD 2001-14-19 Amdt 39-12330, ensuring that the modifications meet current bonding specifications and other safety standards (Section 4). Failure to comply with these directives may result in serious safety risks, including potential in-flight incidents. The AD/B767/157 includes specific penalties and consequences for non-compliance. Operators and manufacturers found to be in breach of the AD may face regulatory action, including fines and potential grounding of the affected aircraft until the required actions are taken. The maximum penalties for non-compliance are not explicitly stated in the AD, but they can include substantial financial penalties and operational restrictions. Additionally, operators may be subject to legal action under civil aviation laws, which can result in further penalties and reputational damage (Section 5). Compliance with ADs is crucial to maintaining the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australian airspace.