Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, were introduced to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. One of the key components of these regulations is Part 39 - 105, which includes Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety concerns. This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) was issued in response to reports of loss of all direct current (DC) power generation during a flight, caused by an inadequate electrical ground path between the ground bracket of the transformer rectifier unit (TRU) and the aircraft structure. The policy objective of this AD is to prevent the depletion of the main battery and subsequent loss of all DC power, which could result in the loss of flight critical systems. The directive mandates specific actions to be taken within a specified timeframe to rectify the issue and ensure compliance with safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Boeing 767-200, -300 and -300F series aeroplanes that have already undergone the actions detailed in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-24-0119 or its revisions. The AD mandates rework on the ground stud bracket of the transformer rectifier unit (TRU) and the aircraft structure mounting surface, alongside measuring the resistance from the bracket to the structure and the grounding lug to the bracket using a bonding meter. This action is necessitated by reports of loss of all direct current power generation during flight due to inadequate electrical grounding, which could lead to the loss of flight-critical systems. The AD requires compliance within 45 days from its effective date, which is 15 December 2004. The AD extends to all relevant aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia and is applicable irrespective of the aircraft's location or the operator's jurisdiction, provided they fall under the specified model series and have completed the mentioned service bulletin actions. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this directive.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically in PART 39 - 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) that mandates certain actions to address an identified unsafe condition. AD/B767/203 pertains to Boeing 767 series aeroplanes and focuses on the rework of the ground bracket of the transformer rectifier unit (TRU) and the structure mounting surface (Section 1). This rework must be carried out in accordance with specific instructions detailed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 767-24A0119, Revision 2, as supplemented by Boeing Information Notice 767-24A0119 IN 01 (Section 2). It is also specified that collars with part number BACC30BL6 may be used instead of the collars P/N BACC30M6 mentioned in the original instructions (Section 3). The AD applies to Boeing Model 767-200, -300, and -300F series aeroplanes where the actions outlined in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-24-0119 or its revisions have already been completed (Section 4). The directive requires that the rework and resistance measurements be completed within 45 days from the effective date of the directive, which is 15 December 2004 (Section 5). The purpose of these requirements is to ensure a proper electrical ground path, preventing the depletion of the main battery and the loss of all direct current power generation, which could lead to the failure of flight-critical systems. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) imposes obligations on the operators and owners of the specified Boeing 767 aeroplanes to ensure compliance with the AD. They must undertake the specified rework and measurements as outlined in the directive within the stipulated timeframe (Section 6). The CASA delegate, in this case James Coyne, has the authority to enforce this directive and ensure adherence to the safety standards set forth. Non-compliance with the AD could result in severe consequences, as it directly affects the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the AD/B767/203 could lead to significant civil or criminal consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with CASA directives typically results in enforcement actions which can include fines, penalties, and potential grounding of the aircraft. The severity of the penalties may depend on the extent of non-compliance and the risk posed to aviation safety. CASA's enforcement of such directives is crucial to maintaining the high standards of safety within Australian aviation.