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
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/F100/41 Main Landing Gear Torque Link Dampers 6/2000
Applicability: Model F 28 Mk 0070 and 0100 aircraft.
Requirement: Remove main landing gear torque link dampers P/N 23700-1 or 23700-3 from the aircraft and install modified main landing gear damper P/N 23700-5 IAW Fokker SB SBF-100-32-114.
Note: RLD AD 1999-138 Dated 29 October1999 refers.
Compliance: Unless previously carried out, any Fokker 100 aircraft fitted with Messier Dowty dampers not modified to CSB-32-50, within 15 months time in service from the effective date of this Directive.
Unless previously carried out, any Fokker 100 aircraft fitted with Messier Dowty dampers modified to CSB-32-50, within 21 months time in service from the effective date of this Directive.
Unless previously carried out, any Fokker 100 aircraft fitted with Menasco dampers, within 24 months time in service from the effective date of this Directive.
Unless previously carried out, any Fokker 70 aircraft fitted with Menasco dampers, within 24 months time in service from the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 15 June 2000.
Background: The aircraft manufacturer has advised that following a main landing gear separation, after landing, investigation confirmed that separation of the landing gear had been caused by performance degradation of the damper and the resulting loss of damping capability.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 2 May 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 17 May 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, govern civil aviation safety and ensure the safe operation of aircraft. This legislation addresses the need for consistent and rigorous safety standards across the aviation industry. A specific Airworthiness Directive (AD) under this regulation, AD/F100/41 issued on 6 June 2000, aims to address safety concerns related to the main landing gear torque link dampers of Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to correct an unsafe condition identified in the main landing gear torque link dampers, following reports of performance degradation and loss of damping capability. The policy objective is to enhance the safety of air travel by mandating specific maintenance actions to mitigate identified risks.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, mandates that Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) must be complied with by the operators of the specified Fokker F100 aircraft, namely the F 28 Mk 0070 and 0100 models. These directives aim to rectify identified safety issues and ensure the airworthiness of the aircraft. The specified requirement of this directive mandates the removal and replacement of certain main landing gear torque link dampers with a modified version to address safety concerns arising from performance degradation and loss of damping capability. The directive applies to Fokker 100 and Fokker 70 aircraft equipped with either Messier Dowty or Menasco dampers, with varying compliance timelines based on the type of dampers installed and whether they have already been modified according to previous safety bulletins. The directive's jurisdiction is national, given its issuance under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive's scope is clearly defined, with no exclusions or exemptions noted, and compliance is mandatory for all specified aircraft within the prescribed timeframes.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, subsection 105, establish an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) Series Aeroplanes. This AD (AD/F100/41) mandates the removal of certain main landing gear torque link dampers and the installation of modified dampers to address safety concerns. The AD applies to Fokker F 28 Mk 0070 and 0100 aircraft (Applicability). The requirement (Requirement) is that the specified dampers (P/N 23700-1 or 23700-3) must be removed and replaced with the modified damper (P/N 23700-5), in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin SBF-100-32-114. This directive follows an investigation into a main landing gear separation incident caused by damper performance degradation, which resulted in the loss of damping capability (Background).
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties it governs. Owners and operators of Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) Series Aeroplanes must ensure that the required modifications are made to the main landing gear torque link dampers within the stipulated timeframes. For aircraft fitted with Messier Dowty dampers not modified to CSB-32-50, the compliance period is 15 months from the effective date of the AD. For those with Messier Dowty dampers modified to CSB-32-50, the compliance period is 21 months. Aircraft fitted with Menasco dampers must comply within 24 months from the AD's effective date. Failure to adhere to these timelines could result in non-compliance with airworthiness standards.
Failure to comply with the AD can result in significant consequences. The AD outlines that any breach of the specified requirements may lead to civil and criminal penalties. The maximum penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 can include fines and imprisonment. For corporations, the maximum penalty can be significant, and for individuals, the penalty may include imprisonment for up to two years. Additionally, non-compliance can result in the grounding of the aircraft, affecting operational readiness and potentially leading to further safety risks.