AD/B747/192 - Cabin Attendants Panel Switches (Cth)

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes

AD/B747/192 Cabin Attendant's Panel Switches 13/98

Applicability: Model 747-100, -200 and -300 series aeroplanes having cabin attendant's panels installed at Doors 1 Right and 3 Right.

Requirement: 1. Replace the passenger entertainment switches and the passenger service system power switches, as applicable, in the cabin attendant's panels located at Doors 1 Right and 3 Right with new improved switches in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 747-33A2261 Revision 1 dated 4 June 1998.

2. Switches having a part number identified in the 'Old Switch' column of any table contained in Boeing ASB 747-33A2261 Revision 1 dated 4 June 1998 shall not be installed in a cabin attendant's panels located at Doors 1 Right or 3 Right in any aeroplane.

Note: FAA AD 98-20-37 Amdt 39-10804 refers.

Compliance: 1. Prior to 31 January 2000.

2. Subsequent to 30 January 2000.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 December 1998.

Background: The Federal Aviation Administration has received reports indicating that fires have occurred on some Boeing 747 aeroplanes. Investigations have shown that the fires are caused by electrical short circuits resulting from internal failure of passenger entertainment switches and passenger service system power switches in the cabin attendant's panels.

This directive prevents the installation and use of the old style switch that could short circuit when they fail, consequently causing smoke and fire aboard the aeroplane.