Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, was enacted to establish and maintain a high standard of civil aviation safety in Australia. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the responsible body for regulating and ensuring compliance with these regulations. One such regulation, AD/F27/102, pertains to the inspection and replacement of fuel tank ventilation hoses in Fokker F27 series aeroplanes to address the potential risk of using non-fuel resistant hose material. This was identified as a safety concern by the manufacturer and prompted the creation of an airworthiness directive to ensure compliance and mitigate any associated risks before specific deadlines. The policy objective behind AD/F27/102 is to ensure that all Fokker F27 series aeroplanes comply with the specified safety measures regarding fuel tank ventilation hoses. This directive was introduced to address a gap in the safety protocol identified by the manufacturer, where there was a potential for non-fuel resistant hose material to be supplied inadvertently. The compliance requirements outlined in this directive mandate that operators adhere to the specified deadlines to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, apply to the Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes in relation to the inspection and replacement of fuel tank ventilation hoses. This legislation is applicable to any entity or individual operating Fokker F27 Series aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring compliance with the specified safety standards. The directive is mandated to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft by addressing a potential issue where non-fuel resistant hose material may have been supplied as replacements for the fuel vent system hoses. Compliance with this directive is required in two stages, with the first phase mandating adherence before 1 September 1981, and the second phase requiring compliance before 31 March 1982. This regulatory approach aims to mitigate risks associated with the use of inappropriate materials in critical aircraft systems, thereby enhancing the overall safety of aviation operations involving Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, include the AD/F27/102 directive for Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes. This directive mandates the inspection and replacement of fuel tank ventilation hoses. The directive references Fokker Service Bulletin No. F27/28-55 dated 15 April 1981 and Regulation-Like Document Airworthiness Directive 81-19-28 also dated 15 April 1981. The compliance dates specified are before 1 September 1981 for Part 1 and before 31 March 1982 for Part 2. The directive arises from concerns that the manufacturer may have supplied non-fuel resistant hose material for the fuel vent system, which could potentially compromise the integrity of the fuel tank ventilation system. Operators of Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes are required to follow the directive's stipulations by inspecting the fuel tank ventilation hoses and replacing any non-fuel resistant hoses identified during the inspection. This involves adhering to the manufacturer's guidelines and using the appropriate materials as outlined in the referenced Fokker Service Bulletin. The inspection and replacement must be completed within the specified timeframes to ensure compliance with the Airworthiness Directive. The directive is designed to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft by preventing the use of materials that could degrade under exposure to fuel, thus reducing the risk of fuel tank fires or explosions. The obligations imposed on operators by this directive are comprehensive and include conducting a thorough inspection of the fuel tank ventilation hoses to identify any non-compliant materials. Once identified, the non-compliant hoses must be replaced with the correct, fuel-resistant materials as per the manufacturer's specifications. Operators must maintain records of the inspections and any replacements performed to demonstrate compliance with the directive. Furthermore, operators are required to ensure that all maintenance and inspection work is carried out by qualified personnel who are knowledgeable about the specific requirements of the AD/F27/102 directive. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/F27/102 can result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which may include fines, penalties, and in severe cases, the grounding of the affected aircraft. The maximum penalties for such breaches can be substantial, reflecting the critical nature of ensuring compliance with airworthiness directives. Civil penalties can include fines of up to $126,000 per offence, while criminal penalties can result in imprisonment for up to five years. These stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to the directive to ensure the safety and airworthiness of Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes.