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/F100/4 Thrust Reverser Door Bumper Fittings 1/99
Applicability: F28 Mk. 100 aircraft serial numbers 11244 through 11460, 11463 through 11469,
11471, 11474, 11476, 11478 and 11479 and Grumman Aerospace part number (P/N) 1159P41440 spare aft engine cowlings, serial numbers (S/N) A0002 through A0031, S/N B0001 through B0020 (also identified as S/N 1001 through 1020) and S/N 1021 through 1220.
Requirement: 1. Modify the thrust reverser doors in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F100- 78-010 dated 07 February 1994, and
2. Replace the Collins Multifunction Display Units (MFDUs) P/N 622-8047-412 or P/N 622-8047-422 with MFDU P/N 622-8047-414 or P/N 622-8047-423 as applicable, in accordance with Fokker SB F100-31-036 dated 07 February 1994.
3. Modify affected Grumman Aerospace spare aft cowlings P/N 115P41440 in accordance with Fokker Component SB P41440-78-02 dated 17 December 1993.
Note: RLD Airworthiness Directive 94-062 (A) dated 29 April 1994 refers.
Compliance: 1. Before accomplishment of 15,000 flight hours since new.
2. On completion of Requirement 1.
3. Prior to fitment to aircraft modified in accordance with Fokker SB F100-78-010 dated 07 February 1994.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 28 January 1999.
Background: The full scale fatigue test showed that the loads on the aircraft tail due to thrust reverser operation were higher than anticipated, resulting in a deteriorated fatigue life for the horizontal stabiliser main hinge fitting structure. This Directive is issued to reduce fatigue loads on the tail through modification of the thrust reverser doors and replacement of the multifunction display units incorporating software versions V7R1 or V8R1 as applicable.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority of the Australian Parliament, was enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. A specific legislative instrument within these regulations, F2006B09641, addresses the problem of excessive fatigue loads on the horizontal stabiliser main hinge fitting structure in Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes due to thrust reverser operation. This legislative instrument, in the form of an Airworthiness Directive, mandates modifications to the thrust reverser doors and replacement of specific Collins Multifunction Display Units to mitigate these fatigue issues. The policy objective is to ensure that the identified aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to prevent structural failures, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public. The Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 28 January 1999, applying to specific serial numbers of Fokker F100 aircraft and Grumman Aerospace spare parts.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically addresses the safety of Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) Series aeroplanes through the Airworthiness Directive AD/F100/4 concerning thrust reverser door bumper fittings. This directive applies to Fokker F100 aircraft with specific serial numbers, as well as Grumman Aerospace part number (P/N) 1159P41440 spare aft engine cowlings, which must be modified to ensure safety and compliance with civil aviation standards. The directive mandates modifications to the thrust reverser doors and the replacement of certain Collins Multifunction Display Units (MFDUs) to mitigate fatigue loads on the tail, thereby enhancing the structural integrity of the aircraft. The directive applies nationally, impacting all operators of the specified Fokker F100 series within the Australian jurisdiction. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be achieved within specified flight hour milestones or before fitting to aircraft already modified under previous service bulletins. The directive became effective on 28 January 1999, and its implementation is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, mandate specific modifications and replacements for certain Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) Series Aeroplanes and Grumman Aerospace parts to ensure airworthiness. Section 39-105 specifies that F28 Mk. 100 aircraft serial numbers 11244 through 11460, 11463 through 11469, 11471, 11474, 11476, 11478, and 11479, along with certain Grumman Aerospace part numbers, must comply with these directives. The key requirements include modifying the thrust reverser doors (AD/F100/4, Requirement 1), replacing Collins Multifunction Display Units (Requirement 2), and modifying specific Grumman Aerospace spare aft cowlings (Requirement 3).
The obligations imposed by these regulations are stringent and must be adhered to by the aircraft operators and relevant maintenance entities. For instance, Requirement 1 mandates that thrust reverser doors be modified in line with Fokker Service Bulletin F100-78-010 dated 07 February 1994. Requirement 2 necessitates replacing specific Collins Multifunction Display Units with others specified in Fokker Service Bulletin F100-31-036 dated 07 February 1994. Lastly, Requirement 3 requires modifications to certain Grumman Aerospace spare aft cowlings, as outlined in Fokker Component SB P41440-78-02 dated 17 December 1993. Compliance must be achieved before the aircraft reaches 15,000 flight hours since new, upon completion of the first requirement, and before the aircraft is fitted to others modified under Fokker SB F100-78-010.
Failure to comply with these Airworthiness Directives can result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 establish that non-compliance may lead to civil penalties. The maximum penalties for breaches can be substantial, reflecting the importance of adhering to these safety directives. Such penalties underscore the necessity for operators and maintenance entities to meticulously follow the specified requirements to ensure continued airworthiness and safety.