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/F100/27 MLG Torque Link Connections 4/99
Applicability: F.28 MK.0100 aircraft, all serial numbers, fitted with either Menasco Aerospace, Ltd.
Or Messier-Dowty, Ltd. Main Landing Gear (MLG) Assemblies.
Requirement: Inspect all Menasco Aerospace, Ltd. MLG Assemblies and Messier-Dowty, Ltd.
MLG Assemblies, in accordance with procedures in Fokker Services’ All Operator Message AOF100.013, Reference TS96.68988 dated 19 December 1996.
Note: RLD BLA 1996-147(A) refers.
Compliance: For all Menasco Aerospace MLG assemblies, including assemblies not fitted to aircraft, unless previously carried out, inspect within 1 week or before further flight, whichever occurs last.
For all Messier-Dowty MLG Assemblies, including assemblies not fitted to an aircraft, unless previously carried out, with 1 month or before further flight, whichever occurs last.
Note: It is expected that spares of the listed parts may be held. As these parts may be affected, it is necessary to inspect these spares prior to fitment.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 22 April 1999.
Background: An F.28 Mk.0070 was involved in an incident where the take-off was aborted due to vibration suspected to originate from the Main Landing Gear. Subsequent investigation revealed that on the RH MLG Torque Link, the locking bolt and plate of the apex joint had come loose, allowing the apex bolt, which connects the upper and lower torque links, to loosen as well. In addition, the locking wire, intended to secure the locking bolt, was missing. This Airworthiness Directive requires that affected MLG assemblies be checked to ensure that modifications have been made prior to installation.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes AD/F100/27 concerning the Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes. Enacted in 1998 by the Australian Government, this regulation aims to address safety issues identified in the Fokker F100 series, particularly focusing on the main landing gear (MLG) assemblies. The directive was introduced to ensure the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft following an incident where a torque link connection failure led to a hazardous situation. The primary objective of this Airworthiness Directive is to mandate thorough inspections of MLG assemblies to prevent similar incidents, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
This legislative instrument was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to enforce compliance with specific inspection protocols for MLG assemblies in Fokker F100 aircraft, particularly those manufactured by Menasco Aerospace, Ltd. and Messier-Dowty, Ltd. The directive stipulates that inspections must be conducted within specified timeframes to ensure that all assemblies are secure and meet the required safety standards before further flight operations. This proactive measure is designed to mitigate risks associated with MLG failures and ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft fleet.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes, particularly those with Menasco Aerospace, Ltd. or Messier-Dowty, Ltd. Main Landing Gear (MLG) assemblies. The directive mandates inspection procedures for these MLG assemblies to ensure safety and compliance with airworthiness standards. The directive requires an inspection of all MLG assemblies, whether currently fitted to aircraft or in storage, to be conducted within specific timeframes to prevent further flights until compliance is confirmed. The inspection must adhere to the procedures outlined in Fokker Services' All Operator Message AOF100.013, Reference TS96.68988 dated 19 December 1996, and also considers any relevant regulatory documents such as RLD BLA 1996-147(A). This directive became effective on 22 April 1999, following an incident involving an F.28 Mk.0070 where the MLG torque link connections failed, leading to a loose apex bolt and missing locking wire, which necessitated immediate corrective measures.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, include detailed requirements for the Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes. Section AD/F100/27 pertains to the inspection of Main Landing Gear (MLG) torque link connections for Fokker F100 aircraft equipped with MLG assemblies from either Menasco Aerospace, Ltd. or Messier-Dowty, Ltd. The directive mandates that these inspections be conducted in accordance with Fokker Services’ All Operator Message AOF100.013, Reference TS96.68988 dated 19 December 1996. Compliance with these directives is crucial to ensuring the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft.
The obligations imposed by these regulations are specific to the inspection timelines and procedures for the MLG assemblies. For Menasco Aerospace MLG assemblies, the inspection must occur within one week of the directive or before further flight, whichever is later. This requirement applies to both installed assemblies and those held as spare parts. Similarly, Messier-Dowty MLG assemblies must be inspected within one month of the directive or before further flight, whichever is later. The directive also expects that spares of these parts may be held, and it is imperative that these spares be inspected before being fitted to an aircraft. These stringent timelines ensure that any potential issues with the torque link connections are identified and rectified promptly, thus maintaining the integrity of the aircraft's landing gear.
Failure to comply with these directives can result in serious safety implications. The regulations do not explicitly state civil or criminal penalties within the provided text; however, non-compliance with airworthiness directives typically leads to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include grounding the aircraft until compliance is achieved, which can have significant operational and financial repercussions for the operators. Additionally, repeated or severe non-compliance could result in more severe penalties, including fines or other regulatory actions as determined by CASA under the broader framework of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These measures are in place to ensure that all aircraft meet the highest safety standards, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public.