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/B767/199 Off-Wing Slide Compartment Actuators 10/2004
Applicability: Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series aeroplanes equipped with off-wing escape slides.
Requirement: 1. Carry out an inspection of the door-opening actuators for the off-wing slide compartment on the right and left sides of the aeroplane to determine the actuator cartridge serial number, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin (SASB) 767-25-0299, dated 18 January 2001.
2. If any actuator cartridge having serial numbers 5481 through 5741 inclusive is found during the inspection required by Requirement 1 of this Directive, perform the actions specified in Requirements 2(a) through 2(c) of this Directive in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of SASB 767-25-0299.
(a) Remove the door-opening actuator for the off-wing slide compartment.
(b) Perform an inspection of the actuator cartridge for the presence of a clearance hole and corrective actions, if necessary (includes replacing the actuator cartridge with a new actuator cartridge or a serviceable actuator cartridge from a recharge kit).
(c) Install the door-opening actuator for the off-wing slide compartment.
Note 1: Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25-0299, references OEA Aerospace, Inc. Service Bulletin 5262 (02) SB (NC), dated October 2, 2000, as an additional detailed source of service information for performing the inspection of the actuator cartridge and corrective actions.
3. Do not install, on any aeroplane, an actuator for the off-wing escape slide having OEA part number 5262200 cartridge assemblies, with actuator cartridge serial numbers 5481 through 5741 inclusive that does not have a clearance hole between the two firing pins.
Note 2: FAA AD 2004-16-10 Amdt 39-13766 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1: Within two years after the effective date of this Directive.
For Requirement 2: Before further flight.
For Requirement 3: From the effective date of this Directive.
Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B767/199 (continued)
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 September 2004.
Background: The actions prescribed in this Directive are required to prevent the door-opening actuators for the off- wing slide compartment from not firing, which could cause the door to open improperly and prevent the deployment of the off-wing escape slide, leading to the loss of an evacuation route.
Gary J Carr
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 20 August 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 September 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Airworthiness Directive AD/B767/199 in 2004 to address an unsafe condition concerning the door-opening actuators for the off-wing slide compartments on Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series aeroplanes. This directive was issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 to ensure that any risk of the actuators not firing properly, which could lead to the improper opening of the door and subsequent failure to deploy the off-wing escape slide, is mitigated. The policy objective is to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety by preventing potential evacuation route failures. This AD requires specific inspections and corrective actions to be carried out on the affected aircraft models to ensure the safety and reliability of the emergency slide deployment system.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies specifically to Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series aeroplanes equipped with off-wing escape slides. This legislation is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as a delegate of the Commonwealth of Australia. It mandates actions to rectify an unsafe condition related to the door-opening actuators for the off-wing slide compartment. The directive requires inspections and corrective actions to be taken to ensure the safe deployment of the escape slide, which is crucial for emergency evacuations. The AD applies nationally across Australia and is enforceable by CASA, ensuring compliance across all relevant aircraft within the specified series and configuration. The directive provides detailed instructions and timelines for compliance, specifying the need for inspections within two years from the directive's effective date and immediate actions before further flight if specific serial numbers of the actuator cartridges are identified.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/B767/199, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, pertains specifically to Boeing 767-200 and -300 series aeroplanes equipped with off-wing escape slides. The directive requires inspections and certain corrective actions on the door-opening actuators for the off-wing slide compartment on both sides of the aircraft. Section 1 of the AD mandates that an inspection be carried out on the door-opening actuators to determine their cartridge serial numbers, as outlined in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin (SASB) 767-25-0299. Section 2 of the AD specifies actions to be taken if any actuator cartridge with serial numbers 5481 through 5741 inclusive is found, including removal, inspection for a clearance hole, and corrective actions such as replacement with a new or serviceable cartridge. Section 3 prohibits the installation of any actuator without the required clearance hole.
Operators and owners of the affected Boeing 767 series aeroplanes are obligated to adhere to the directive by conducting the specified inspections and corrective actions. This includes performing the inspection within two years of the directive's effective date and completing any required actions before further flight. Furthermore, operators must ensure that no actuators with serial numbers 5481 through 5741 inclusive are installed without the specified clearance hole between the firing pins.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in serious safety consequences, including the risk of the door-opening actuators not firing, which could prevent the proper deployment of the off-wing escape slide and compromise evacuation routes during an emergency. Although specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the text of the AD, the non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which may include fines or other regulatory penalties. The seriousness of the potential safety risks underscores the importance of strict adherence to the AD provisions.