AD/F100/20 - Cleats at Wing Rib STA.8200

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation includes detailed regulations concerning aircraft maintenance, operations, and airworthiness, forming part of Australia's commitment to international civil aviation safety standards. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations pertains to Airworthiness Directives, which are legally enforceable rules that address specific safety issues identified in aircraft operations. The objective of these directives is to mitigate risks to aviation safety by enforcing necessary maintenance actions or operational changes. For instance, AD/F100/20 addresses the issue of cracks found in cleats at specific wing rib locations of Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes due to manufacturing defects. This directive mandates inspections and necessary repairs to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft, thus directly contributing to the overarching goal of maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates that certain Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes, identified by specific serial numbers, must undergo inspections of the cleats at the left and right wing rib STA.8200. This directive applies to Fokker F100 aircraft with serial numbers 11244 through 11256, 11258 through 11260, 11263, 1268 through 1283, 1286, 1289, 1291, 1293, 1295, and 1297. The requirement necessitates adherence to Fokker Service Bulletin (SB) F100-57-018 dated 23 September 1993, as referenced by RLD BLA 93-142(A). Compliance with this directive must be achieved before the aircraft accumulates 16,000 flight cycles since new. This Airworthiness Directive became effective on 22 April 1999, following the discovery of cracks in the cleats during inspections, attributed to incorrect installation of certain Hi-lok bolts in the bottom wing skin.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, specifically Section 105, mandates an inspection and potential replacement of cleats at the left and right hand wing ribs STA.8200 on Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes. This is outlined in the Airworthiness Directive (AD) F100/20. This directive applies to aircraft with specific serial numbers, ranging from 11244 to 11256, 11258 to 1260, and others as detailed. The primary requirement is to inspect the cleats at the specified locations using the guidelines provided in Fokker Service Bulletin F100-57-018 dated 23 September 1993. This inspection must be completed before the aircraft accumulates 16,000 flight cycles since new. The directive came into effect on 22 April 1999. The background information indicates that cracks in the cleats were discovered during the manufacturing inspection of the wings due to incorrect installation of certain Hi-lok bolts in the bottom wing skin, necessitating this AD for safety compliance. The obligations imposed by this regulation are clear and direct. The aircraft owners or operators must ensure that the inspections are carried out in accordance with the specified Fokker Service Bulletin. This involves detailed procedures to check for cracks or other damage in the cleats and, if necessary, replace the affected parts to maintain airworthiness. The directive also requires that the inspections be completed before the aircraft reaches 16,000 flight cycles since new, ensuring that any potential issues are addressed before they can compromise safety. Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive can lead to significant consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives in the Civil Aviation Regulations is generally taken very seriously. This can include enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), potential grounding of the aircraft, and in severe cases, criminal charges. The penalties for such breaches can include substantial fines and imprisonment, reflecting the critical importance of adhering to these safety mandates to protect aviation safety. In summary, Section 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 imposes a mandatory inspection and potential replacement of cleats on specified Fokker F100 aircraft to ensure safety. The directive requires adherence to Fokker Service Bulletin F100-57-018, with inspections completed before 16,000 flight cycles. Non-compliance can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment, underscoring the importance of strict adherence to these safety requirements.