AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/GENERAL/82. and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Aircraft - General
AD/GENERAL/82
Amdt 1
Repair Assessment of Pressurised Fuselages
10/2003
Applicability: Transport Category aircraft listed in the Requirement document.
Requirement: Incorporate repair assessment guidelines for the fuselage pressure boundary into the CASA approved System of Maintenance for the aircraft in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 121.370 (a).
Note 1: References made in the Requirement document text to “FAA approval of repair assessment guidelines”, shall be read as “CASA approval of repair assessment guidelines”.
Note 2: FAA Advisory Circular AC 120-73 is available to provide guidance for operators of affected aircraft.
Compliance: Before the applicable flight cycle implementation time and date specified in the Requirement document.
This Amendment becomes effective on 2 October 2003.
Background: This Directive is the result of FAA concern for the continued operational safety of aircraft that are approaching or have exceeded their design service goal. The purpose of the repair assessment guidelines is to establish a damage-tolerance based supplemental inspection program for repairs to detect damage, which may develop in a repaired area, before that damage degrades the load carrying capability of the structure below the levels required by the applicable airworthiness standards. The DGAC has mandated similar requirements for applicable French aircraft.
This Amendment updates the requirement document and the notes to reference US Federal Aviation Regulation 121.370 and the associated Advisory Circular AC 120-
73. Reference to “repair assessment programs” is changed to “repair assessment guidelines” to be consistent with the requirement document. The compliance is altered to remove the date, which is now specified in the requirement document.
Aircraft - General
AD/GENERAL/82 Amdt 1 (continued)
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 10 August 2000.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 21 August 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 10 September 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/GENERAL/82 in 2000 to address safety concerns about the operational integrity of transport category aircraft that have approached or exceeded their design service goals. The AD mandates that operators incorporate repair assessment guidelines for the fuselage pressure boundary into their CASA-approved System of Maintenance, aligning with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations as referenced in 14 CFR Part 121.370(a). This legislative instrument, amended in 2003, ensures that these guidelines are updated to reflect current safety standards and best practices, thus maintaining the airworthiness of affected aircraft. The policy objective is to establish a damage-tolerance based supplemental inspection program for repairs, aiming to detect potential damage before it compromises the structural integrity of the aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/GENERAL/82 Amdt 1 applies to Transport Category aircraft listed in the Requirement document and pertains to the incorporation of repair assessment guidelines for the fuselage pressure boundary into the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) approved System of Maintenance. This AD applies specifically to aircraft in the Commonwealth of Australia, and its scope is limited to those entities involved in the maintenance and operation of the specified transport category aircraft. The directive mandates adherence to CASA approval of repair assessment guidelines as set out in Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 121.370(a), with references to FAA approval being understood as CASA approval. The directive references FAA Advisory Circular AC 120-73 as guidance for operators of affected aircraft and aims to ensure that repairs to the aircraft's pressure boundary are assessed in a manner that maintains the structural integrity of the aircraft throughout its operational life. The AD does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds but requires compliance before the flight cycle implementation time and date specified in the requirement document. The directive’s application may be extended or further detailed through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/GENERAL/82 Amendment 1 primarily focuses on the incorporation of repair assessment guidelines for the fuselage pressure boundary in specific transport category aircraft. The applicability section (Applicability) outlines that the directive applies to certain aircraft listed in the Requirement document. The requirement section (Requirement) mandates that these aircraft must incorporate repair assessment guidelines for the fuselage pressure boundary into the CASA-approved System of Maintenance, in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration's 14 CFR Part 121.370(a). This includes adjustments to the requirement document to align with the latest FAA regulations and advisory circulars. The compliance section (Compliance) stipulates that these changes must be implemented before the specified flight cycle implementation time and date detailed in the Requirement document.
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Primarily, it requires aircraft operators to incorporate repair assessment guidelines into their maintenance systems. This involves ensuring that these guidelines meet the specified standards set out in FAA regulations, which have been adapted to CASA's context. Operators must follow the instructions outlined in the Requirement document, which includes referencing FAA Advisory Circular AC 120-73 for additional guidance. Furthermore, operators must ensure that these changes are implemented before the specified compliance date, which is detailed in the Requirement document.
Breach of the provisions outlined in the AD can lead to various consequences. The AD does not explicitly detail specific offences or penalties within its text, but non-compliance with ADs generally can lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations. Potential consequences include fines, enforcement notices, and in severe cases, grounding of the aircraft. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as the relevant provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. The AD emphasizes the importance of adhering to the specified compliance dates to maintain the airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft.