AD/F100/1 - Flight Controls - Horizontal Stabiliser Dual Actuator - Periodic Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, were introduced to ensure the safe and orderly development of civil aviation in Australia. Within this regulatory framework, Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically Airworthiness Directive AD/F100/1 concerning Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) Series Aeroplanes, was established to address safety issues identified in the horizontal stabiliser dual actuator system of the specified aircraft models. This particular directive was prompted by reports of faults due to water ingress in the horizontal stabiliser system, which necessitated regular inspections to mitigate potential risks. The overarching policy objective is to maintain the highest standards of airworthiness and ensure the safety of aircraft operations by addressing identified vulnerabilities in aircraft systems.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as specified in Part 39 - 105, apply to Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers ranging from 11244 to 11356, inclusive, that have not undergone modifications to their Horizontal Stabiliser Dual Hydraulic Control Actuators as per Fokker Service Bulletin F100-27-032 dated 20 September 1991. The directive mandates an initial inspection in line with Fokker Service Bulletin F100-27-029 dated 29 January 1991, followed by periodic inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards. The inspections are required for aircraft that have accumulated more than 2000 flight hours or 12 months in service at the directive's effective date of 28 January 1999, with subsequent inspections mandated every 2000 flight hours or twelve months thereafter. The directive aims to address issues such as water ingress into the dual actuator servo valve manifold end cap, which has been reported by several operators, and its enforcement is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, establish a comprehensive framework governing the airworthiness of aircraft in Australia, including specific directives for various aircraft types. For the Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes, Airworthiness Directive (AD) F100/1 mandates periodic inspections for the horizontal stabiliser dual actuator system to prevent faults arising from water ingress into the servo valve manifold end cap (section 39-105). This directive applies to F28 Mk 100 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 11244 to 11356, unless they have already been modified according to Fokker Service Bulletin F100-27-032 dated 20 September 1991. The directive requires two key inspections. Firstly, an initial inspection must be conducted in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F100-27-029 dated 29 January 1991, and secondly, this inspection must be repeated as specified (section 39-105). Aircraft that have accumulated more than 2000 flight hours or 12 months of service by the directive's effective date of 28 January 1999 must undergo the inspection within the next 400 flight hours or two months of service. Thereafter, inspections must be repeated every 2000 flight hours or twelve months (section 39-105). This directive references RLD Airworthiness Directive 91-015 Issue 2 dated 18 October 1991 for further guidance. Entities and operators governed by this directive must ensure that the specified inspections are performed as required. Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in significant consequences. If an operator fails to adhere to the stipulated inspection schedule, it may face enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such non-compliance could potentially lead to the grounding of the affected aircraft, which would disrupt operations and incur financial penalties. The maximum penalties for breaches of these regulations are detailed in the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which includes fines and imprisonment for serious violations. Thus, compliance with the airworthiness directives is critical to maintaining the safety and operational status of the aircraft in question.