Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. The Regulations, as amended, are designed to address various aspects of aircraft operation, maintenance, and airworthiness. Part 39, specifically focusing on airworthiness directives, is instrumental in managing safety risks and ensuring compliance with safety standards across the aviation industry. The policy objective of these regulations is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation through stringent oversight and regulatory measures. The introduction of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes in 2001 is a pertinent example of the regulatory body's proactive approach to addressing safety concerns. The directive, prompted by an incident of in-flight thrust reverser deployment, mandates a one-time inspection of the thrust reverser control system to rectify specific mechanical issues, thereby preventing recurrence of such unsafe conditions.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) pertains to all Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aircraft operating within the Commonwealth of Australia. It requires a one-time inspection of the thrust reverser (T/R) control system, specifically checking the over centre force of the T/R operating lever and verifying the correct setting of the T/R selector switch (S9). This inspection must be carried out in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F100-76-015 and should be completed within six months of the AD becoming effective on 6 September 2001. The directive responds to an incident where an F100 aircraft experienced an in-flight thrust reverser deployment due to an incorrectly adjusted S9 switch and insufficient over centre force on the T/R operating lever. The AD applies to the aircraft mentioned in the applicability section and becomes effective on the date specified, with compliance required unless the inspection has already been accomplished.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes (AD/F100/47) mandate a one-time inspection of the thrust reverser (T/R) control system. Specifically, section (a) mandates that this action be taken when the conditions outlined in the requirement section are present, while section (b) requires the inspection to be conducted according to the instructions set forth in the requirement section. Section (c) specifies the timeframe for compliance, which is within 6 months from the effective date of this directive. The directive becomes effective on 6 September 2001 and must be carried out on all Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aircraft unless previously accomplished. The obligations and requirements imposed by this AD are clear and precise. The directive requires operators of Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aircraft to perform a one-time inspection of the thrust reverser control system. This includes checking the over centre force of the T/R operating lever and verifying the correct setting of the T/R selector switch (S9) in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F100-76-015. This inspection must be completed within six months of the directive's effective date, which is 6 September 2001. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in unsafe conditions, potentially leading to an in-flight thrust reverser deployment as occurred previously. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, breaches of Airworthiness Directives can lead to severe consequences. Section 39.1(1) of CAR 1998 authorises the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue such directives to address unsafe conditions in aircraft or aeronautical products. If an operator fails to comply with the requirements outlined in this AD, they may be subject to enforcement actions. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself, non-compliance with CAR 105 could result in both civil and criminal penalties, including fines and potential criminal charges. The exact penalties would depend on the severity of the breach and any applicable regulations or guidelines.