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 CASR 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/B767/185 Flightcrew Oxygen Masks 9/2003
Applicability: B767-200, -300, -300F and -400ER series aeroplanes. Requirement: For B767-200, -300 and -300F series aeroplanes:
Revise the Emergency Procedures section of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) by
replacing the following text:
''Rapid Depressurization
Recall
Oxygen Masks and Regulators-ON'' With revised text as follows:
"Cabin Altitude Warning or Rapid Depressurization
Condition: The CABIN ALT or CABIN ALTITUDE light illuminated indicates cabin altitude is excessive:
RECALL
Oxygen Masks & Regulators ON, 100%"
The rest of the steps under this heading in the AFM are unchanged.
For B767-400ER series aeroplanes:
Revise the Non-Normal Procedures section of the AFM by replacing the following text:
''Rapid Depressurization
Turn on oxygen masks, and establish crew communications''.
With revised text as follows:
"Cabin Altitude Warning or Rapid Depressurization
Condition: The CABIN ALT or CABIN ALTITUDE light illuminated indicates cabin altitude is excessive:
Put on oxygen masks and establish crew communications."
The rest of the steps under this heading in the AFM are unchanged.
Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B767/185 (continued)
The foregoing may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this Directive into the appropriate section of the AFM.
Note: FAA AD 2003-14-08 Amdt 39-13227 refers.
Compliance: Within 90 days after the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 4 September 2003.
Background: This Directive requires the revision of the AFM to advise the flightcrew to don oxygen masks as a first and immediate step when a cabin altitude warning occurs. This action is necessary to prevent incapacitation of the flightcrew due to lack of oxygen, which could result in loss of control of the aeroplane.
Jim Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 25 July 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 13 August 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Airworthiness Directive (AD) B767/185 in 2003 to address an unsafe condition related to the emergency procedures for Boeing 767 Series aeroplanes, particularly concerning the flightcrew's response to rapid depressurisation. This legislative instrument was enacted under the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. The directive was issued to mitigate the risk of flightcrew incapacitation due to lack of oxygen during a cabin altitude warning, which could lead to a loss of control of the aeroplane. The AD mandates specific revisions to the Aircraft Flight Manuals (AFM) for the Boeing 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series aeroplanes, emphasising the immediate donning of oxygen masks upon cabin altitude warnings. The policy objective is to enhance flight safety by ensuring that flightcrews take the necessary precautions promptly to prevent incapacitation during rapid depressurisation events.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies specifically to Boeing 767 series aeroplanes, including the B767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER variants. The directive mandates changes to the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) to ensure that flightcrews are properly instructed on the immediate actions to take during a cabin altitude warning or rapid depressurisation event. This includes revising the Emergency Procedures and Non-Normal Procedures sections of the AFM to prioritise the donning of oxygen masks at the onset of such conditions, thereby preventing potential incapacitation of the flightcrew. The AD is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia, extending to all operators of the specified Boeing 767 aeroplanes. Compliance with the directive is required within 90 days of its effective date of 4 September 2003. This AD is applicable to all persons and entities operating these aircraft within Australia, with no exclusions or exemptions specified in the text. The directive’s scope is further defined through its notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 13 August 2003.
Key Provisions
The main sections of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) are the applicability, requirement, and compliance sections. The AD applies to Boeing 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series aeroplanes, as outlined in the applicability section (AD/B767/185). The requirement section mandates that specific text in the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) be revised for each series of the aeroplane. For the B767-200, -300, and -300F series aeroplanes, the Emergency Procedures section of the AFM must be updated to include revised instructions for when the CABIN ALT or CABIN ALTITUDE light is illuminated. Similarly, for the B767-400ER series aeroplanes, the Non-Normal Procedures section of the AFM must be revised to include updated instructions for the same condition. The AD specifies the exact wording that must replace the existing text in the AFMs of the affected aeroplanes. The compliance section requires that these revisions be completed within 90 days from the effective date of the AD, which is 4 September 2003.
The AD imposes several obligations on the entities it governs, primarily on aircraft operators and owners of the specified Boeing 767 series aeroplanes. These entities must ensure that the required revisions to the AFMs are made in a timely manner. Specifically, they must replace the specified text in the AFMs of their aeroplanes with the revised text provided in the AD. This obligation is critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the aeroplanes and ensuring the safety of the flightcrew and passengers. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aeroplanes being considered unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding and other regulatory actions.
The AD does not explicitly state civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance, but the implications of failing to adhere to such directives are significant. Non-compliance with ADs can lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which may include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory measures. In extreme cases, continued operation of an aeroplane that does not comply with an AD could result in severe safety incidents, potentially leading to criminal charges against those responsible for the aeroplane’s maintenance and operation. The seriousness of these potential consequences underscores the importance of timely and accurate compliance with the AD’s requirements.