AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/F100/48 Amdt 3 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 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.
Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) Series Aeroplanes
AD/F100/48
Amdt 4
Main Landing Gear Main Fitting 11/2003
Applicability: Model F.28 Mk.0100 aircraft, all serial numbers, if equipped with Messier-Dowty Main Landing Gear Units part numbers as listed in Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin F100-32-102, dated 24 February 2003.
Requirement: 1. Inspect in accordance with the requirements of Netherlands CAA AD 2001-141.
2. Accomplish either of the following:
- Replace the main landing gear in accordance with Section B. Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Services Service Bulletin F100-32- 134, dated 24 March 2003; or,
b. Inspect and rework, if necessary, the Main Landing Gear Main Fitting Sub- Assembly “on aircraft” in accordance with Part C. “Procedure on Aircraft” (alternative option) of Section 3 Accomplishment Instructions of Messier- Dowty Service Bulletin F100-32-102.
Note 1: Accomplishment of the requirements of either Requirement 2.a. or 2.b.of this Directive constitutes terminating action for the inspection requirements of Requirement 1.
Note 2: Messier-Dowty Service Bulletins SB F100-32-101 and SB F100-32-100 Revision 1 refer.
Note 3: Netherlands CAA AD 2003-040 refers.
Compliance: 1. Inspect as specified in the Requirement document, until accomplishment of Requirement 2.
2. Before or during the next scheduled overhaul of the affected Main Landing Gear Main Fitting.
This Amendment becomes effective on 30 October 2003.
Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) Series Aeroplanes
AD/F100/48 Amdt 4 (continued)
Background: A Fokker 100 aircraft experienced a main landing gear main fitting failure on landing, resulting in failure of the lower part of the main fitting, including the main landing gear sliding member, wheels and brakes.
Amendment 1 corrected a compliance time typographical error.
Amendment 2 required a conditional initial inspection and two repeat inspections, as a consequence of seven more main landing gears with an Eddy-Current indication in the affected area at the original inspection.
Amendment 3 required the accomplishment of an etch penetrant inspection to terminate the necessity for further repetitive eddy-current inspections, and rework or replacement of any fitting when cracks are found. Recent tests and analysis have shown that a limited number of repeat inspections, combined with a final etch penetrant inspection during overhaul (or “on aircraft”) is sufficient to restore the safe life condition of the Main Landing Gear Main Fitting.
Amendment 4 is issued to correct the Requirement 2.a. document number. Amendment 3 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 2 October 2003. Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 18 April 2002.
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 27 December 2001.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 29 November 2001.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 16 September 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 October 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/F100/48 Amdt 4 in response to safety concerns identified with the Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes, particularly regarding the main landing gear main fitting. Enacted in 2003, the AD addresses the identified unsafe condition that could lead to significant structural failure during landing. This legislative instrument was issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Act 1998, with the primary policy objective being to enhance the safety of aircraft operations by ensuring the integrity of critical components. The AD mandates specific inspections and actions to rectify or mitigate the identified risks, thereby safeguarding the airworthiness of the affected Fokker F100 aircraft.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive applies to all Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes equipped with specific Messier-Dowty Main Landing Gear Units part numbers, as listed in the referenced service bulletins. The directive is issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and aims to address safety concerns regarding the main landing gear main fitting of these aircraft. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this directive is within the Commonwealth of Australia, enforced by CASA, which is the primary regulatory authority overseeing civil aviation safety. The directive does not explicitly mention exclusions or exemptions but specifies particular conditions and requirements for compliance, including the necessity of inspections and the accomplishment of either replacement or rework of the landing gear main fitting. This AD is effective from 30 October 2003 and amends previous versions to correct errors and refine inspection and compliance procedures. The directive extends its application through amendments, which update the requirements and compliance timelines, ensuring ongoing safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.
Key Provisions
The main sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) include the applicability, requirement, and compliance sections. The applicability section specifies that this AD applies to Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes of all serial numbers, if they are equipped with Messier-Dowty Main Landing Gear Units part numbers as listed in Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin F100-32-102, dated 24 February 2003. The requirement section mandates that the aircraft must be inspected in accordance with the Netherlands CAA AD 2001-141 and that either the main landing gear must be replaced in accordance with Section B. Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Services Service Bulletin F100-32-134, dated 24 March 2003, or the Main Landing Gear Main Fitting Sub-Assembly must be inspected and reworked, if necessary, on aircraft in accordance with Part C. “Procedure on Aircraft” of Section 3 Accomplishment Instructions of Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin F100-32-102. The compliance section states that the inspection must be completed before or during the next scheduled overhaul of the affected Main Landing Gear Main Fitting.
The AD imposes specific obligations and requirements on the parties or entities it governs. Aircraft operators must ensure that the aircraft comply with the AD by conducting the required inspections and taking the necessary actions, such as replacing the main landing gear or inspecting and reworking the Main Landing Gear Main Fitting Sub-Assembly. Additionally, the AD requires that the inspections and actions be performed in accordance with the specified instructions and guidelines, including those set out in the Netherlands CAA AD 2001-141 and the Fokker Services and Messier-Dowty Service Bulletins.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in civil or criminal consequences, including fines and other penalties. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not stated in the AD, but they may be set out in other legislation or regulations. It is important for aircraft operators to ensure that they comply with the AD to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft and to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
In summary, the AD requires that Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes equipped with certain Messier-Dowty Main Landing Gear Units be inspected and, if necessary, have the main landing gear replaced or the Main Landing Gear Main Fitting Sub-Assembly inspected and reworked. The AD imposes specific obligations and requirements on aircraft operators to ensure compliance, and failure to comply may result in civil or criminal consequences. The AD is an important tool for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of aircraft in Australia.