AD/B767/90 - Aileron Cable/Generator Power Feeder Cable Chafing

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establishes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes AD/B767/90 concerning Boeing 767 series aeroplanes. Enacted to address issues of potential cable chafing and subsequent damage, this directive aims to enhance the safety of Boeing 767 aircraft by ensuring the integrity of critical aileron control cables and generator power feeder cables. The directive applies to all 767 series aeroplanes with specific line numbers, excluding certain exceptions, and mandates a thorough inspection and, if necessary, repair of the identified cables to prevent potential controllability issues. Compliance with this directive is required before 16 July 1996, reflecting the urgency to mitigate the identified safety risks.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 AD/B767/90, applies to Boeing 767 series aeroplanes with line numbers 1 through 618, excluding certain specific line numbers such as 580, 590, 594, 598, and 600. This legislation mandates that inspections be conducted on the aileron control cables and generator power feeder cables of these aeroplanes, as specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 767-24A0113 Revision 1 dated 2 July 1996. The directive requires any necessary repairs and adjustments to cable clearances to be performed in accordance with the ASB. This directive applies nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, as it is part of the overarching Civil Aviation Regulations. The directive does not provide for any specific exclusions or exemptions, but it is tied to compliance deadlines, with actions required to be completed prior to 16 July 1996. This regulatory approach ensures that the safety of Boeing 767 aeroplanes is maintained through stringent oversight and compliance with specified maintenance standards.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this legislation, AD/B767/90, pertain to the inspection and repair of specific cables on Boeing 767 series aeroplanes, specifically those with line numbers 1 through 618 excluding 580, 590, 594, 598, and 600. The directive requires that the aileron control cables (A2B-3 and A1A-3) and generator power feeder cables (W208 and W204) on both the right and left sides of the aeroplane be inspected in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 767-24A0113 Revision 1 dated 2 July 1996 (Section 1). If necessary, the cables must be repaired and the clearances between them adjusted in accordance with the same ASB (Section 1). This is to address the issue of inadequate clearance that has led to cable chafing and potential damage, which could compromise the aeroplane's controllability. The obligations imposed by this Act are quite specific and target the inspection and repair of identified cables on certain Boeing 767 aeroplanes. Operators of these aircraft must ensure that the specified inspection and repair actions are carried out in line with the Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (Section 1). This includes inspecting the cables for any signs of chafing or damage and making necessary repairs to prevent any further issues that could impact the safety and control of the aeroplane. The consequences of non-compliance with this legislation are significant, as they relate to the safety of air travel. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance could potentially lead to serious civil or criminal consequences under the broader Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. Failure to adhere to airworthiness directives can result in serious safety risks, and therefore, it is crucial that operators follow these directives to maintain the safety and airworthiness of their aircraft.