Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), as amended, form the backbone of Australia’s regulatory framework governing civil aviation safety. Specifically, Part 39 of these regulations deals with airworthiness directives, which are legally binding instructions issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address identified safety issues in aircraft and aeronautical products. The objective of these directives is to ensure that all civil aircraft operated in Australia meet the necessary safety standards. This regulatory approach is essential to maintaining the safety of Australian airspace and aligns with international civil aviation safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In 2002, CASA issued Airworthiness Directive AD/B767/166, which mandates specific modifications to the engine core cowl latches of Boeing 767 series aircraft equipped with General Electric CF6-80C2 series engines. This directive was enacted to address a potential unsafe condition where an engine fire could cause the core cowl to open in flight and separate from the strut fire barrier, potentially leading to catastrophic failure. The directive requires compliance by a specific date, ensuring that the identified safety issue is promptly addressed. The enactment of this directive exemplifies CASA’s commitment to ensuring that all aircraft operating within Australian airspace adhere to the highest safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, details an Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address a specific safety concern for Boeing 767 series aircraft equipped with General Electric CF6-80C2 series engines. This legislation applies directly to these aircraft as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-71-0088 and mandates modifications to the core cowl latches to prevent potential engine fires from causing the core cowl to separate from the aircraft during flight. The directive, effective from 18 April 2002, requires the modification of the left and right hand core cowl assemblies according to the specifications provided in the referenced service bulletin. Additionally, it prohibits the installation of certain aluminium core cowl assemblies on any aircraft. The compliance timeline stipulates that the modifications must be completed before 24 September 2004, with a broader requirement to adhere to the directive within six months of its effective date. This directive is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and is subject to notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39, mandates certain actions to be taken regarding the safety of Boeing 767 series aeroplanes equipped with General Electric CF6-80C2 series engines. Section (a) of the applicability clause targets Boeing 767 aircraft using the aforementioned engines as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-71-0088. The requirement section, which is the core of this AD, specifies two key actions: (1) the modification of the left and right hand core cowl assemblies of the engines according to Boeing Service Bulletin 767-71-0088, and (2) the prohibition of the installation of certain aluminium core cowl assemblies on any aircraft. This is intended to prevent a potential unsafe condition where an engine fire could cause the core cowl to open in flight and separate from the strut fire barrier. The compliance section sets the timeline for these actions to be completed, with an initial deadline of 24 September 2004, and further stipulates that all modifications must be finished within six months from the effective date of the AD. This AD imposes several obligations on the operators of Boeing 767 series aircraft equipped with General Electric CF6-80C2 series engines. Primarily, these operators must ensure that the modifications specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-71-0088 are carried out on the core cowl assemblies of their engines. This involves following the detailed instructions provided in the service bulletin to modify the left and right hand core cowls effectively. Additionally, operators are required to refrain from installing the specified aluminium core cowl assemblies on any aircraft, as these parts are identified as potentially unsafe. Compliance with these requirements is essential to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and to mitigate the risk of in-flight separation of the core cowl from the strut fire barrier. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly outline specific penalties or offences for non-compliance with ADs, such failures can lead to significant civil or criminal repercussions under broader aviation legislation. Operators who do not adhere to the requirements of the AD may face enforcement actions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which can include fines, suspension or revocation of air operator certificates, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to safety incidents or accidents. The severity of these consequences underscores the importance of strict adherence to the AD to ensure the safety of air travel.