AD/F27/104 Amdt 1 - Main Undercarriage Drag Stay - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by F2006B09674, introduces a legislative instrument concerning the airworthiness directives for Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes, specifically targeting issues with the main undercarriage drag stay. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this regulation aims to address safety concerns related to the surface break-up of drag stays, which can occur during the tube drawing process, potentially compromising the integrity of the aircraft. This regulation was introduced to ensure compliance with safety standards and to mitigate risks associated with the identified issue, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation operations. The policy objective of this legislation is to mandate specific inspection protocols for the drag stays on Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes, ensuring that any aircraft meeting the specified landing thresholds undergo necessary inspections to prevent potential failures. The regulation applies to all models F27 Mks, 100, 200, 300, 400, 600, and 700 with particular drag stay types, as well as the F27 Mk. 500 with a designated drag stay type. The directive, as referenced in Dowty Rotol SB Nos. 32-114B and 32-42S, sets compliance dates for inspections based on the number of landings the aircraft has accrued, aiming to ensure that the identified safety issues are addressed promptly and effectively.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, which ensure that aircraft remain in a condition for safe operation. One such directive is AD/F27/104 Amendment 1, which applies to Fokker F27 series aeroplanes, including all models F27 Mks 100, 200, 300, 400, 600, and 700, as well as the Mk. 500, provided they have certain main undercarriage drag stay types not marked with UT or V on the unit data plate. This directive mandates specific inspections on the main undercarriage drag stays to address a known issue of surface break-up that may have occurred during the tube drawing process. Compliance with this directive is essential for the continued airworthiness of these aircraft and is regulated by CASA, thereby applying to all persons and entities operating these aircraft within Australia and its territories. This directive does not extend to drag stays that have already achieved the specified compliance milestones prior to the dates mentioned, unless otherwise required by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, outline the requirements for airworthiness directives related to the Fokker F27 series aeroplanes. Specifically, AD/F27/104 Amendment 1 addresses the inspection of main undercarriage drag stays for certain models. Section 1 of the directive mandates that for drag stays which have reached 20,000 landings or more, an inspection must be conducted before 1 August 1982, unless the inspection has already been performed. For drag stays that have achieved between 10,000 and 20,000 landings, the inspection must be carried out before 1 November 1982, unless it has already been completed. This is to ensure the structural integrity of the drag stays, which are critical components in the undercarriage system. The Act imposes specific obligations on the operators and maintenance personnel of the affected Fokker F27 aircraft. These parties must ensure that the drag stay inspections are conducted according to the timeline specified in the directive. The inspections are to be performed on the drag stays of the relevant Fokker F27 models, which include the F27 Mks, 100, 200, 300, 400, 600 and 700 with specified drag stay types, as well as the F27 Mk. 500 with a particular drag stay type not marked with UT or V on the unit data plate. The directive references Dowty Rotol Service Bulletins No. 32-114B and 32-42S as the technical guidance to be followed during these inspections. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/F27/104 Amendment 1 could result in significant legal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can be considered an offence. The potential penalties for such breaches include fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the specific circumstances of the breach and the discretion of the court. Additionally, failure to adhere to these directives could lead to the grounding of the affected aircraft, which would have severe operational and financial implications for the operators.