AD/F100/11 - Rear Spar & MLG Bottom Joint Fittings

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), include specific airworthiness directives to ensure the safety and integrity of aircraft operating within Australia. One such directive, AD/F100/11, was introduced in 1999 to address structural issues identified in Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers 11244 through 11390. This directive was necessitated by the discovery of cracks in the main landing gear spar fittings and rear spar webs during fatigue testing, which could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft if left unaddressed. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate the replacement of affected fittings and reinforcement of specified components to prevent potential failures and ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft in question.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses airworthiness directives through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, encompassing a variety of aircraft models and configurations. The regulation in question pertains to the Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes, specifically addressing serial numbers 11244 through 11390. The directive mandates the replacement of affected fittings and reinforcement of the main landing gear spar fittings, rear spar webs, and new bottom joint fittings in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F100-57-020 dated 27 April 1992. Compliance with this directive is essential to prevent potential loss of structural integrity in the specified areas, with adherence required before the aircraft accumulates 13,500 flight cycles since new. This Airworthiness Directive became effective on 22 April 1999, with background information highlighting the discovery of cracks during fatigue testing, underscoring the necessity for timely corrective action.

Key Provisions

The main sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 pertaining to the Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) Series Aeroplanes include the applicability clause (Section 1), the requirement clause (Section 2), and the compliance clause (Section 3). Section 1 specifies the aircraft affected by the directive, namely F.28 Mk.0100 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 11244 through 11390. Section 2 details the requirement to replace the affected fittings and reinforce the main landing gear (MLG) spar fittings, the rear spar webs, and the new bottom joint fittings in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin (SB) F100-57-020 dated 27 April 1992. Section 3 states that compliance must be achieved before accumulating 13,500 flight cycles since new unless previously accomplished. This Airworthiness Directive became effective on 22 April 1999. The obligations and requirements imposed by the Act on the parties or entities it governs are primarily concerned with ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the specified Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) Series Aeroplanes. Operators of these aircraft are mandated to replace the affected fittings and reinforce the specified components as directed by Fokker Service Bulletin (SB) F100-57-020. This requirement must be fulfilled before the aircraft accumulates 13,500 flight cycles since new, or if this limit has already been reached, the modifications must be completed before any further flight cycles are accumulated. Failure to comply with these directives could result in non-compliance with airworthiness standards, potentially leading to severe safety issues. The consequences for breach of this Airworthiness Directive can be significant. While the specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences are not explicitly detailed in the given text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can generally lead to severe penalties. These can include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges in cases where negligence or wilful disregard of safety regulations is proven. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance and take appropriate action against entities that fail to adhere to these safety directives. In summary, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 mandate specific actions for the Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) Series Aeroplanes to ensure structural integrity and safety. The regulations require the replacement and reinforcement of certain fittings to prevent potential structural failures. Failure to comply with these directives can result in serious consequences, including financial penalties, suspension of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges.