AD/B767/159 Amdt 1 - Vertical Fin to Body Section 48 Attachment

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, address the need to maintain high safety standards in civil aviation. This legislation provides the regulatory framework within which the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) operates to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products. One specific legislative instrument under this Act is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B767/159 Amendment 1, issued on 22 July 2003. This directive addresses a safety issue identified with the Boeing 767 series aircraft, specifically targeting the vertical fin to body section 48 attachment. The problem identified was the potential for stress corrosion cracks in the barrel nuts and bolts of this section, which could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft, leading to a loss of controllability. The directive was issued in response to findings by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and mandates specific inspection and, where necessary, replacement actions to mitigate this risk. This AD was designed to ensure that the unsafe condition was corrected in a timely and effective manner, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertain to Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of Australia. This particular Airworthiness Directive applies to the Boeing 767-200 and -300 series aircraft, from line numbers 1 through 574. The directive mandates that inspections of the vertical fin to body section 48 attachment be carried out in accordance with the technical requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 2003-10-11 Amdt 39-13156. The directive notes Boeing Service Bulletins as references for the inspection process. Compliance with this directive requires that the specified actions be taken at a time mentioned in the compliance section, with an effective date of 4 September 2003, as set out in the requirement document. This amendment to the original directive responds to FAA findings of corroded and broken vertical fin attachment barrel nuts and mandates more stringent inspection protocols, including eventual replacement of specific components. The regulation applies across the Commonwealth of Australia and is applicable to the specified aircraft models within its jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, establish critical requirements and directives concerning the airworthiness of aircraft. Section 39.1(1) empowers the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (AD) aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft in operation. In this context, the CASA delegate has revoked AD/B767/159 and issued a new directive focusing on the vertical fin to body section 48 attachment for Boeing 767-200 and -300 series aircraft. This new directive mandates specific actions to be taken by the aircraft operator to address identified safety concerns. The requirement section stipulates that inspections must be conducted in accordance with the technical specifications provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 2003-10-11 Amdt 39-13156. This directive is applicable to all Model 767-200 and -300 series aircraft, line numbers 1 through 574. The obligations imposed by this Airworthiness Directive are clear and comprehensive. Aircraft operators must ensure that the inspections are performed meticulously, adhering to the FAA's detailed technical requirements. Furthermore, the directive references several Boeing Service Bulletins, including SB 767-53-0085, SB 767-53A0085 Revision 1, SB 767-53A0085 Revision 2, and SB 767-53A0085 Revision 3, which provide further guidance and necessary information. The compliance section sets a specific effective date for these inspections, ensuring timely implementation to mitigate safety risks. Failure to comply with these directives could lead to severe consequences, including potential loss of airworthiness certification and grounding of the aircraft. Breaches of the provisions outlined in this Airworthiness Directive can result in significant legal and operational repercussions. Under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions by CASA. The authority has the power to issue fines, suspend or revoke airworthiness certificates, and take other corrective measures to ensure safety standards are met. Additionally, operators found in breach of these directives may face civil penalties, including financial penalties as stipulated by the regulations. In more severe cases, criminal charges could be pursued, leading to imprisonment or higher fines, depending on the severity of the non-compliance and the resulting risks to aviation safety.