COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) Series Aeroplanes
AD/F100/2 Main Landing Gear Downlock - Inspection/Replacement
1/99
Applicability: F28 Mk. 100 aircraft all serial numbers, fitted with Dowty Aerospace Hydraulics MLG Downlock Actuators (Jack & Springpot Units) Part Number (P/N) 201218001, P/N 201218002, P/N 201218003, or P/N 201218004, all serial numbers.
Requirement: 1. Inspect the applicable MLG Downlock Actuator in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SB F100-32-072 dated 30 March 1993 and in accordance with Dowty Aerospace Hydraulics SB F100-32-505 dated 24 March 1993.
2. Replace MLG Downlock Actuator in accordance with the Aircraft Maintenance Manual Chapter 32-32-05 and return the defective unit to the manufacturer for further analysis.
Note: RLD Airworthiness Directive 93-052 (A) dated 23 April 1993 refers.
Compliance: 1. At intervals not to exceed 1250 flight hours.
2. Following failure to meet the requirements of the inspection at requirement 1 above.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 28 January 1999.
Background: In service experience had revealed arisings of landing gear “unsafe” warnings which had been attributed to MLG Downlock actuator internal failures. This Directive is issued to introduce regular inspections to ensure correct operation of the MLG Downlock actuators.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, address the requirement for airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. Enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, this legislation is instrumental in maintaining stringent safety standards within the aviation industry. One such directive, AD/F100/2, pertains to Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes and was introduced to address issues related to the main landing gear downlock actuators, which had been linked to instances of landing gear “unsafe” warnings. The directive aims to mitigate these risks by mandating regular inspections and replacements of the actuators, ensuring that all applicable F28 Mk. 100 aircraft fitted with specific Dowty Aerospace Hydraulics MLG Downlock Actuators are compliant with the outlined safety measures. The policy objective is to prevent potential failures that could compromise the safety of the aircraft during operation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes with certain MLG Downlock Actuators. This regulation mandates specific inspection and, if necessary, replacement procedures for these actuators to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft. The requirement applies to all F28 Mk. 100 aircraft fitted with Dowty Aerospace Hydraulics MLG Downlock Actuators with specified part numbers and serial numbers. Compliance involves inspecting the applicable actuators at intervals not exceeding 1250 flight hours or following a failure to meet inspection requirements, with defective units to be returned to the manufacturer for further analysis. This directive became effective on 28 January 1999, responding to service experience indicating potential internal failures in the MLG Downlock actuators, which could lead to unsafe landing gear warnings. The directive is designed to ensure that these issues are identified and addressed promptly, thereby maintaining the safety standards required by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the compliance of certain aircraft with Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure safety. In this instance, AD/F100/2 focuses on Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) Series aeroplanes. According to Section 1, F28 Mk. 100 aircraft with specified Dowty Aerospace Hydraulics MLG Downlock Actuators must undergo particular inspections and, if necessary, replacement of these actuators. This directive aims to address issues of landing gear unsafe warnings caused by internal failures of the MLG Downlock actuators.
Under Section 2 of the AD, the main operative requirements are that the applicable MLG Downlock Actuators must be inspected according to Fokker Service Bulletin SB F100-32-072 and Dowty Aerospace Hydraulics SB F100-32-505. If an inspection reveals defects, the actuators must be replaced in line with the Aircraft Maintenance Manual Chapter 32-32-05, and the defective unit must be returned to the manufacturer for further analysis. Section 3 specifies that these compliance activities must occur at intervals not exceeding 1250 flight hours or following any failure to meet the inspection requirements.
The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties governed include regular inspections and potential replacements of the specified MLG Downlock Actuators. Aircraft operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that these inspections are conducted in accordance with the referenced service bulletins and maintenance manuals. Compliance with the replacement and return procedures for defective units is also a critical obligation to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive can result in significant consequences. The Regulations do not specify particular offences or penalties within the text provided, but non-compliance generally could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions might include grounding of the aircraft, fines, or other regulatory measures. It is also possible that non-compliance could lead to civil or criminal liability in the event of accidents or safety incidents resulting from the failure to adhere to the mandated inspections and repairs.