COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B767/169 Wing Leading Edge Slat Tripod Strut Assembly 7/2002
Applicability: Model 767 series aircraft, line numbers 160 through 541.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2002-08-15 Amdt 39-12723.
Note: Boeing Service Bulletin (SB) 767-57A0058 Revision 1 and SB 767-57-0037 refer.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 July 2002.
Background: The manufacturer found damaged bushings in the wing leading edge slat inboard support tripod strut assembly on a production aircraft. The tripod strut assembly supports the inboard leading edge slat and is the primary inboard-outboard load path of the slat. Damage, due to preload, can lead to loss of primary load path for the slat and result in loss of the slat.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 27 May 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 June 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form a comprehensive framework designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. One such regulation, specifically Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B767/169 issued in 2002, addresses a critical safety issue identified in Boeing 767 series aircraft, particularly those with line numbers 160 through 541. This AD mandates specific actions to rectify a potentially unsafe condition involving the wing leading edge slat inboard support tripod strut assembly. The underlying issue pertains to the risk of damaged bushings in this critical assembly, which could lead to the loss of the primary load path for the slat, thereby posing a significant safety risk. The directive requires compliance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 2002-08-15 Amdt 39-12723, referencing relevant Boeing Service Bulletins for guidance on corrective actions. This directive was issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aimed at maintaining and enhancing the safety standards of civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) in Part 39, specifically under Airworthiness Directives, mandate that certain actions be taken to ensure the safety of aircraft, including the Boeing 767 series aeroplanes. Airworthiness Directive AD/B767/169 applies to Boeing 767 series aircraft with line numbers ranging from 160 to 541. The directive requires the implementation of actions detailed in FAA AD 2002-08-15 Amdt 39-12723 to address damaged bushings in the wing leading edge slat inboard support tripod strut assembly, a condition identified by the manufacturer that could compromise the structural integrity of the slats. The directive was issued by the delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, effective from 11 July 2002, and was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 June 2002. Compliance with the directive is to be conducted in accordance with the instructions specified within the requirement document.
Key Provisions
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertains to Boeing 767 series aeroplanes, specifically line numbers 160 through 541 (AD/B767/169). The directive mandates that the action set out in the requirement section be taken to correct an identified unsafe condition concerning the wing leading edge slat tripod strut assembly. The action must be carried out under the specified circumstances, following the instructions provided, and within the timeframe mentioned (subregulation 39.1(1)). The requirement section references the technical requirements of FAA AD 2002-08-15 Amdt 39-12723, with additional reference to Boeing Service Bulletins 767-57A0058 Revision 1 and 767-57-0037. Compliance with this AD is contingent upon adhering to the instructions outlined in the requirement document and becomes effective from 11 July 2002.
The AD imposes obligations on the operators and owners of the affected Boeing 767 series aircraft to ensure that the action specified in the requirement section is completed. This includes conducting the necessary inspections, repairs, or replacements of the wing leading edge slat tripod strut assembly as detailed in the FAA AD and Boeing Service Bulletins. Operators must ensure that their maintenance and inspection protocols are updated to comply with this directive and that all personnel involved in the maintenance of the aircraft are adequately informed of the requirements.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can lead to serious safety implications, including the potential loss of the slat due to damage to the tripod strut assembly, which could compromise the structural integrity and flight safety of the aircraft. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives, failure to adhere to these directives could result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved, fines, or other regulatory penalties as deemed appropriate by CASA. Operators and owners must therefore take the requirements of this AD seriously to avoid any potential enforcement actions or safety risks.