AD/B767/24 Amdt 1 - Door Counter Balance Torsion Spring

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, contain Part 39 which includes various Airworthiness Directives aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft operations. One such directive is AD/B767/24 Amendment 1, which was introduced to address issues related to the door counter balance torsion springs in Boeing 767 series aircraft. This directive applies specifically to model 767 series aircraft with entry or service doors equipped with slide rafts, within line positions 002 through 409. The problem it was enacted to address is the risk of a broken counterbalance torsion spring, which could necessitate additional effort to unlatch the door and potentially impede emergency evacuations by jamming the counterbalance assembly. The directive mandates compliance with the technical requirements set out in FAA AD 93-01-19 Amendment 39-8473 and references Boeing ASB 767-52A0053 Revision 2. The objective is to ensure that the safety concerns identified are effectively mitigated through appropriate technical actions.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/B767/24 Amendment 1, pertains to Boeing 767 series aeroplanes with entry or service doors equipped with slide rafts. This regulation applies to aircraft in line positions 002 through 409 and mandates compliance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 93-01-19 Amendment 39-8473, which includes an optional installation for the door counterbalance torsion spring. The directive aims to address safety concerns associated with a broken counterbalance torsion spring, which could lead to difficulties in unlatching or opening the door during an emergency. Boeing ASB 767-52A0053 Revision 2 provides further reference for the implementation of these requirements. Compliance with this airworthiness directive is critical to ensuring the safety of aircraft operations within the Australian jurisdiction, and failure to adhere to the specified technical requirements could result in safety risks, particularly in emergency situations. This legislation operates within the Commonwealth of Australia, enforced by CASA and applicable to the specified Boeing 767 series aircraft. The directive is part of the broader Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which govern civil aviation safety across Australia. While the specific requirements are detailed in FAA AD 93-01-19 Amendment 39-8473, CASA’s authority ensures that these international standards are adopted and enforced within the Australian aviation sector. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this directive, and compliance is mandatory for all applicable aircraft within the specified line positions. The application of the directive is further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments as necessary, ensuring the continued safety and reliability of Boeing 767 series aircraft in Australian airspace.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39-105 concerning Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes, mandate compliance with certain safety directives to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft. Section 105, under AD/B767/24 Amendment 1, applies to model 767 series aircraft with entry or service doors equipped with slide rafts, specifically those in line positions 002 through 409. The regulation requires adherence to the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 93-01-19 Amendment 39-8473, which was amended to address a specific issue related to the counterbalance torsion spring of the aircraft's doors. Compliance with this directive is critical to prevent potential operational hazards, such as the difficulty in unlatching and opening the door manually in an emergency situation. The obligations imposed by these regulations are stringent and require the operators of Boeing 767 series aircraft to ensure that the modifications specified in the FAA AD are implemented. This includes a thorough inspection and potentially the replacement or adjustment of the door counter balance torsion spring as detailed in Boeing ASB 767-52A0053 Revision 2. Operators must maintain records of all actions taken to comply with these directives, ensuring that the aircraft remains in a safe and airworthy condition at all times. Additionally, these directives necessitate that any modifications must be performed by qualified personnel and that the aircraft must not be operated until the required actions have been completed and verified. Failure to comply with the provisions of these airworthiness directives can lead to significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can result in civil penalties, including fines of up to $275,000 for corporations and $55,000 for individuals, as well as potential criminal charges. Additionally, operators may face enforcement actions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which could include the grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The seriousness of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the stipulated safety directives to prevent any risk to the safety of passengers and crew.