Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, particularly PART 39 - 105, establish Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure aircraft safety. This specific AD/B767/195, issued in July 2004, targets Boeing 767 series aircraft, specifically models 767-200, -300, and -300F, to address an unsafe condition concerning the main landing gear outer cylinder. The directive mandates specific actions, including measurements and ultrasonic inspections, to detect and correct potential cracks in the landing gear, which could otherwise lead to a collapse and compromise the aircraft's control during critical phases of flight such as takeoff and landing. The policy objective is to maintain and enhance aviation safety by ensuring that identified defects are promptly rectified.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations, apply to all Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes, namely the 767-200, -300, and -300F models with line numbers ranging from 1 through 883. The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under this legislation mandates corrective action to address an unsafe condition identified in the main landing gear outer cylinder. The requirement includes taking action in accordance with the technical specifications detailed in the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) AD 2004-09-11 Amdt39-13600, referencing relevant Boeing Service Bulletins. Compliance with the directive is expected to be achieved by the specified date mentioned in the requirement section. The AD applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia and is issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), indicating its binding authority across all relevant aircraft within the specified parameters. There are no exclusions or exemptions mentioned in this particular directive, and the AD extends its application to all specified aircraft to ensure safety and compliance with civil aviation standards.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) are outlined in the requirement section, which mandates specific actions to be taken in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2004-09-11 Amdt39-13600. This involves measuring the main landing gear outer cylinder upper and lower joint gaps and conducting an ultrasonic inspection of the outer cylinder for cracks between the downlock fitting attach lugs (section 105.200). The AD applies to Boeing 767-200, -300, and -300F series aircraft with line numbers ranging from 1 through 883 (section 105.201). The compliance section specifies that these actions must be carried out as detailed in the requirement document, with a revised effective date of 8 July 2004 (section 105.202). The obligations imposed by this AD on the parties or entities it governs are substantial. Aircraft operators and maintenance providers must ensure that the specified measurements and inspections are conducted meticulously. The directive necessitates adherence to the technical requirements laid out by FAA AD 2004-09-11 Amdt39-13600, which includes the use of appropriate tools and procedures to accurately measure joint gaps and perform ultrasonic inspections. Additionally, Boeing Service Bulletins 767-32A0196 original issue, Revision 1, and Revision 2 provide further guidance and are referenced as part of the compliance process (section 105.200). Compliance with these requirements is essential to maintain the airworthiness of the affected aircraft. Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement action against non-compliant operators or maintenance providers. Potential penalties include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory sanctions. The severity of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the AD to prevent unsafe conditions that could lead to catastrophic failures such as landing gear collapse, which would severely compromise the controllability of the aircraft during critical phases of flight like takeoff and landing (section 105.203). The maximum penalties for breaches of these regulations are determined by CASA and can be substantial, reflecting the high stakes involved in ensuring aviation safety.