COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Boeing 767 Series Aeroplanes
AD/B767/58 Left Hydraulic System 9/91
Applicability: Boeing 767 series Aeroplanes as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767- 29A0038, dated 3 August 1989.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the Technical Requirements of FAA AD 91-12-16.
Note: FAA AD 91-12-16 refers to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-29A0038, Amendment 39-7028.
Compliance: Required within 3600 hours time-in-service or 24 months from the issue date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
Background: FAA AD action was prompted by review and analysis of the B767 flight control system functional redundancy as it relates to the ability of the aeroplane to continue safe flight and landing after structural failure. This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of controllability of the aeroplane if, following a single event of structural failure, damage occurs to all three hydraulic systems.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, represent a comprehensive regulatory framework designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. Among these regulations, Part 39 specifically addresses the issuance of airworthiness directives to maintain and ensure the safety of aircraft. One such directive, AD/B767/58, pertains to the left hydraulic system of Boeing 767 series aeroplanes, responding to identified safety concerns regarding the aeroplane's ability to maintain control following structural failure. This directive was introduced to address a critical gap in ensuring that Boeing 767 series aeroplanes remain airworthy by requiring compliance with the Technical Requirements of FAA AD 91-12-16, as referenced in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-29A0038. The policy objective is to mitigate risks associated with hydraulic system failures, thus enhancing overall flight safety and preventing potential catastrophic outcomes.
The enactment of these regulations by the Australian Parliament reflects a commitment to aligning national aviation safety standards with international benchmarks, particularly those set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The directive mandates compliance within a specified timeframe, ensuring that operators of Boeing 767 series aeroplanes take necessary actions to address the identified safety issues. This proactive approach is essential in maintaining the high standards of safety and reliability expected in the civil aviation industry.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Boeing 767 series aeroplanes as detailed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-29A0038, dated 3 August 1989. This legislation mandates compliance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 91-12-16, which refers to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-29A0038, Amendment 39-7028. Compliance is necessary within 3600 hours time-in-service or 24 months from the issue date of the Airworthiness Directive, whichever is later. The directive is prompted by the need to address issues related to the left hydraulic system to ensure continued safe flight and landing after structural failure, aiming to prevent loss of controllability in the event of multiple hydraulic system failures. This regulation has a Commonwealth reach, affecting all entities operating Boeing 767 series aeroplanes within Australia, thereby ensuring adherence to safety standards across the nation.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, focus on ensuring the airworthiness of Boeing 767 series aeroplanes with respect to their left hydraulic system. The regulations reference AD/B767/58, which is directly linked to FAA AD 91-12-16 (section 1). This action directive applies to Boeing 767 aeroplanes listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-29A0038, dated 3 August 1989 (section 2). The requirement under this directive is for the action to be taken in accordance with the Technical Requirements of FAA AD 91-12-16, which itself refers to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-29A0038, Amendment 39-7028 (section 3). Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be achieved within 3600 hours time-in-service or 24 months from the issue date of the AD, whichever is later (section 4).
The obligations imposed by this legislation on the parties and entities governed by it are primarily centred on ensuring the structural integrity and safety of the left hydraulic system in Boeing 767 series aeroplanes. Operators and maintenance personnel must follow the specified technical requirements to address potential issues that could compromise flight control and landing capabilities. This involves conducting necessary inspections, repairs, or replacements to maintain the hydraulic system's functionality and redundancy, ensuring that aeroplanes can continue safe flight and landing even after a single event of structural failure (section 5). The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) expects adherence to the outlined compliance timeline to mitigate risks associated with hydraulic system failures.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives set forth in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to significant consequences. The legislation does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties in this context, but non-compliance could result in severe civil or criminal repercussions under broader aviation safety laws. Such consequences may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges against responsible parties, which could lead to imprisonment or substantial fines, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance (section 6). Operators are thus compelled to rigorously adhere to the stipulated requirements to avoid any legal or safety repercussions.