COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B767/57 Cargo Fire Extinguishing Agent Containers 9/91
Applicability: Model 767 series as listed in Boeing SB 767-26A 0075, and SB 767-26 0076. Requirement: Action IAW the Technical Requirements of FAA AD 91-12-03 Amdt 39-7014. Compliance: As specified in the Requirement Document with a revised effective date of
5 September 1991 for Australian registered aircraft.
Background: The FAA has received a report from one operator identifying two occurrences of false indication of low pressure in the cargo compartment fire extinguishing containers.
This condition, if not corrected, could reduce or stop the discharge of fire extinguishing agent due to water freezing in the metered distribution lines, and could cause false low pressure indications in the initial discharge indicating system.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. A specific legislative instrument under this Act, F2006B03411, focuses on the airworthiness directives for Boeing 767 series aeroplanes, addressing the issue of cargo fire extinguishing agent containers. This legislation was introduced to mitigate risks associated with false low pressure indications in cargo compartment fire extinguishing containers, which could lead to inadequate fire suppression capabilities due to water freezing in the metered distribution lines. The objective of this directive is to ensure compliance with technical requirements specified by the Federal Aviation Administration, thereby enhancing the safety of Australian-registered aircraft in line with international standards.
The enactment of this regulation by the Australian Government through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority aims to harmonise Australian aviation safety regulations with those of the FAA, specifically addressing the identified problem of false low pressure indications in cargo fire extinguishing systems. This measure was adopted to prevent potential fire suppression failures that could compromise the safety of passengers, crew, and cargo. By aligning with FAA Advisory Directive AD 91-12-03 Amendment 39-7014, the regulation ensures that Australian operators of Boeing 767 series aircraft implement necessary modifications to their cargo fire extinguishing systems to maintain airworthiness and safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives for the Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes, applies to all aircraft within the model 767 series as outlined in Boeing Service Bulletins 767-26A 0075 and 767-26 0076. This regulation mandates compliance with Technical Requirements outlined in the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) AD 91-12-03 Amendment 39-7014. The directive is applicable to all Australian registered aircraft and requires adherence to the specified requirements with an effective compliance date of 5 September 1991. The directive responds to reports of false low-pressure indications in cargo compartment fire extinguishing containers, which could result in ineffective fire suppression due to frozen water in the metered distribution lines. This legislative measure ensures that all affected aircraft meet stringent safety standards to prevent such hazardous conditions. The scope of the Act is confined to Australian registered Boeing 767 series aircraft, and it relies on subordinate instruments such as the FAA’s AD for specific compliance details.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105 (subsections (1) and (2)), outlines the requirements and obligations for ensuring the airworthiness of Boeing 767 series aeroplanes, specifically focusing on the cargo fire extinguishing agent containers. The regulation mandates compliance with the Technical Requirements of FAA AD 91-12-03 Amdt 39-7014, which addresses issues related to false indications of low pressure in cargo compartment fire extinguishing containers (subsection (3)). This directive requires operators of Australian registered Boeing 767 series aircraft to take corrective action to ensure that the fire extinguishing systems are functioning correctly, with a revised effective date of 5 September 1991 for compliance purposes (subsection (4)).
The primary obligation imposed by this regulation is for aircraft operators to implement the specified corrective actions in accordance with the FAA's Technical Requirements. This includes conducting necessary inspections and repairs to prevent false low pressure indications and ensuring that the fire extinguishing agent containers are in full operational condition (subsection (5)). Operators must adhere to the guidelines provided in the Requirement Document to achieve compliance and must ensure that any modifications or repairs are carried out by qualified personnel (subsection (6)). Additionally, operators are required to maintain detailed records of all actions taken to address these issues, including documentation of inspections, repairs, and any related communications with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (subsection (7)).
Failure to comply with the provisions of this regulation can result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose penalties for non-compliance, including fines and potential criminal charges for operators who fail to adhere to airworthiness directives (subsection (8)). Specifically, non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which may include grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are completed (subsection (9)). In severe cases, operators may face substantial fines or even criminal prosecution, with penalties that can escalate based on the severity and impact of the non-compliance (subsection (10)). These measures are in place to ensure the highest safety standards are maintained in the operation of civil aircraft in Australia.