Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted to regulate civil aviation safety in Australia and to ensure that all civil aircraft are airworthy and operated safely. Part 39, particularly 105, provides a framework for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (AD) to address safety concerns. The AD/F100/56 issued in 2002 under the authority of the CAR 1998, specifically targets Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) Series Aeroplanes, aiming to rectify an unsafe condition identified with the pedestal side cover attachment. This directive was introduced in response to an incident where a pilot's foot became jammed between the pedestal side cover and the rudder pedal during alignment with the runway, highlighting a gap in the aircraft maintenance manual concerning the installation of the pedestal side cover in a specific attachment bracket. The policy objective of this AD is to ensure the safe operation of Fokker F100 aircraft by mandating corrective action in accordance with the instructions set out in Fokker Service Bulletin F100-25-092, dated 4 February 2002, within a specified timeframe.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, mandates Airworthiness Directives to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. The scope of this particular directive, AD/F100/56, applies to all Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) series aeroplanes, including models F28 Mk 0100 and Mk 0070 across all serial numbers. The directive is issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address a specific safety concern identified in the pedestal side cover attachment. The directive requires operators to adhere to the Accomplishment Instructions detailed in Fokker Service Bulletin F100-25-092, dated 4 February 2002, to rectify the unsafe condition within a stipulated timeframe of 12 calendar months from 31 October 2002, unless the action has already been completed. This directive underscores the regulatory commitment to maintaining high safety standards across the aviation industry within the Commonwealth of Australia.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) in question, specifically AD/F100/56, pertains to Fokker F100 (F28 Mk 100) Series Aeroplanes, model F28 Mk 0100 and Mk 0070, across all serial numbers. This directive mandates that the action outlined in the requirement section be taken to rectify an unsafe condition. The requirement, as stated in the AD, involves implementing the Accomplishment Instructions provided in Fokker Service Bulletin F100-25-092, dated 4 February 2002. This service bulletin serves as the detailed guide for addressing the identified safety issue. It is important to note that the Netherlands Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a corresponding AD, 2002-111, which should be referenced alongside this directive. The AD imposes a clear obligation on the operators and maintainers of the specified Fokker F100 aircraft models to follow the instructions in the referenced service bulletin. The compliance section stipulates that this action must be completed within 12 calendar months from the effective date of the AD, which is 31 October 2002. If the action has already been accomplished, the compliance period is moot. The directive aims to ensure the safe operation of the aircraft by addressing a specific maintenance issue that has been linked to incidents of pilots' feet becoming jammed between the pedestal side cover and the rudder pedal during aircraft alignment with the runway during approach. Failure to comply with the AD can lead to significant consequences. While the specific legislative instrument does not detail the penalties for non-compliance, it is generally understood that non-compliance with ADs under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in severe penalties. Such penalties may include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach and the jurisdiction under which the offence is prosecuted. The consequences for failing to adhere to ADs are severe, as they directly impact the safety and compliance of civil aviation operations within Australia.