AD/B767/32 - Ram Air Turbine

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, were enacted by the Australian Government to ensure the safety of civil aviation and address safety gaps within the industry. This legislation is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and was introduced to provide regulatory oversight and ensure that aircraft meet specific safety standards. The particular legislative instrument F2006B03388, pertaining to Boeing 767 series aeroplanes, was introduced to address the identified problem of potential damage to ram air turbine hydraulic pumps by fragments from the ground checkout module orifice plug. This instrument mandates the inspection and replacement of the ram air turbine ground checkout module and possible replacement of the RAT hydraulic pump in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 767-29A0035 Revision 1 or 2, ensuring that an operable RAT hydraulic pump is maintained to provide hydraulic power in the event of a dual engine loss. The policy objective of this regulation is to mitigate the risk of hydraulic pump damage and ensure the continued airworthiness of Boeing 767 series aeroplanes. By adhering to the requirements outlined in the Airworthiness Directive (AD/B767/32), operators are mandated to comply with the specified actions at the next scheduled "C" check or prior to 28 February 1991, whichever occurs first. This proactive approach aims to enhance the safety and reliability of civil aviation operations in Australia, reflecting the overarching commitment of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to uphold stringent safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses airworthiness directives for various aircraft types, including the Boeing 767 series aeroplanes. This regulation mandates compliance with Airworthiness Directive AD/B767/32 concerning the ram air turbine (RAT) for all Boeing 767 series models with line position numbers ranging from 1 through 220. The directive requires action in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 767-29A0035 Revision 1 or Revision 2, with reference to FAA AD 89-23-02 Amendment 39-6373. The directive necessitates that inspections and necessary replacements of the RAT ground checkout module and the RAT hydraulic pump be conducted at the next scheduled "C" check or before 28 February 1991, whichever comes first. This requirement ensures that the RAT hydraulic pump remains operational, thus providing hydraulic power in the event of a dual engine loss, thereby maintaining the aircraft's safety standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Boeing 767 series aeroplanes, AD/B767/32, which addresses the ram air turbine (RAT) system. The directive applies to all Boeing 767 models with line position numbers 1 through 220 (Section 1). The primary requirement of this directive is that the action must be taken in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 767-29A0035 Revision 1 or Revision 2 (Section 2). This requirement is aimed at preventing damage to the ram air turbine hydraulic pumps, which can occur due to fragments from the filter screen of the ground checkout module orifice plug. The directive references FAA AD 89-23-02 Amendment 39-6373 (Section 3). Operators of Boeing 767 series aircraft must ensure compliance with the directive at the next scheduled "C" check or before 28 February 1991, whichever comes first (Section 4). Compliance involves inspecting and replacing the ram air turbine ground checkout module, and potentially replacing the RAT hydraulic pump if necessary. This is crucial for maintaining operational safety, as the RAT system provides hydraulic power in the event of a dual engine loss, ensuring the aircraft remains controllable (Section 5). Failure to comply with this directive can result in serious safety implications. The regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance in the provided text, but non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to serious civil and criminal consequences, including fines and imprisonment. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance and may take action against operators who fail to adhere to these safety requirements. Ensuring compliance is essential to maintain the safety standards required by Australian aviation law (Section 6).