AD/B767/67 - Off-Wing Escape System

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, were enacted by the Parliament of Australia to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. One such amendment, AD/B767/67 issued under Part 39 - 105, focuses on the airworthiness directives for Boeing 767 Series aeroplanes, specifically addressing the off-wing escape system. This directive was introduced to address reports of issues with the actuator firing pins' travel adjustment and insufficient connecting bolt length, which could potentially lead to inadvertent in-flight deployment or failure to deploy during an emergency evacuation. The overarching policy objective is to enhance the safety of civil aviation by ensuring that all aircraft meet stringent airworthiness standards, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public. The regulation, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandates modifications to the off-wing escape system as specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-0137 Revision 1. Compliance with this directive is required before 4 November 1993 to mitigate risks associated with the identified issues. The intention is to prevent potential in-flight deployment mishaps or failures during emergency evacuations, thereby reinforcing the commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This part applies to all operators of Boeing 767 series aeroplanes, ensuring their compliance with specified airworthiness directives, such as AD/B767/67 concerning the off-wing escape system. The directive mandates that modifications to the escape system be implemented in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-0137 Revision 1, with compliance required before 4 November 1993. The directive addresses specific safety concerns, including operators' inability to adjust the travel on the actuator firing pins and insufficient connecting bolt length, which could lead to inadvertent in-flight deployment or failure to deploy during an emergency evacuation. The application of these regulations extends nationally across Australia, overseen by CASA, ensuring consistent safety standards are upheld within the civil aviation industry. The regulations do not specify any exclusions or exemptions within the provided text, indicating that all applicable operators must comply with the directive. The scope of the regulations is further extended through subordinate instruments which may provide additional detail or amendments.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in PART 39 - 105, outlines an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the Boeing 767 series aeroplanes, focusing on the off-wing escape system. The directive, identified as AD/B767/67 (7/92), applies to the model 767 series aeroplanes as detailed in Boeing Service Bulletin (SB) 767-25-0137 Revision 1. The requirement under this directive is to modify the off-wing escape system in accordance with Boeing SB 767-25-0137 Revision 1. For reference, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 92-07-12 Amendment 39-8208 is also noted. The compliance deadline is set for prior to 4 November 1993. The background information indicates that there have been reports of operators encountering difficulties in adjusting the travel on the actuator firing pins to achieve the necessary engagement, as well as issues with insufficient connecting bolt length. The directive aims to prevent unintended in-flight deployment of the escape system or failure to deploy during an emergency evacuation. The Act imposes several obligations on the entities governed by these regulations. Primarily, it requires operators of the Boeing 767 series aeroplanes to adhere to the specified modifications to the off-wing escape system as detailed in Boeing SB 767-25-0137 Revision 1. This involves ensuring that the actuator firing pins are correctly adjusted to achieve the required engagement and that the connecting bolts are of adequate length. Operators must ensure these modifications are made prior to the compliance date of 4 November 1993. Failure to comply with the directive could potentially lead to safety issues, including the risk of an inadvertent in-flight deployment or failure to deploy during an emergency, which could have severe consequences for passengers and crew. Breaching the requirements set out in this Airworthiness Directive can lead to significant legal and operational consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines and other sanctions imposed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Criminal penalties could also be applicable, especially if the non-compliance is found to have contributed to an accident or incident. The maximum penalties can vary depending on the severity of the breach and the impact on aviation safety. The Act mandates strict adherence to the directive to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation operations.