AD/F27/111 - Reduced Span Rudder Trim Tab

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) were enacted by the Australian Parliament to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation within Australia. This legislation establishes a comprehensive framework that governs the operation of civil aircraft, including safety standards, licensing, and the certification of aircraft and personnel. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 address the need for a unified regulatory approach to aviation safety, ensuring that all aspects of civil aviation operations comply with stringent safety requirements. One such regulation is the Airworthiness Directive AD/F27/111, which applies to Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes and mandates the modification of the rudder trim tab to alleviate design-related issues. The directive aims to ensure the continued airworthiness of the specified aircraft models, thereby enhancing flight safety. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with a specified deadline to ensure that the necessary modifications are implemented in a timely manner.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Fokker F27 series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers, namely those from 10102 to 10684, 10686, 10687, and 10689 to 10692. This regulation mandates compliance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/55-62, which addresses the issue of the rudder trim tab, aiming to mitigate the problems associated with its prior design. The directive requires adherence to the specified modification by 31 March 1988. The regulation applies nationally, ensuring that all operators of Fokker F27 aeroplanes within Australia are subject to this directive. The regulation is clear and specific, with no noted exclusions or exemptions, ensuring that all specified aircraft must comply with the safety directive to maintain airworthiness. This regulation may be further detailed or extended through subordinate instruments, which may provide additional guidelines or clarifications on the implementation of the safety directive.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines a series of airworthiness directives that aim to ensure the safety and compliance of aircraft within Australia. One such directive, AD/F27/111, pertains to Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes, focusing on the reduction of the span of the rudder trim tab (section 1). This directive applies to all F27 models with specific serial numbers: from 10102 to 10684, excluding 10685, and including 10686, 10687, and the range from 10689 to 10692. The requirement under this directive is to perform actions in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/55-62 (section 2). The directive references RLD BLA 86-53 for further guidance, and compliance with this directive must be achieved prior to 31 March 1988 (section 3). The obligations imposed by this airworthiness directive are primarily on the operators of the Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes covered by the directive. Operators must ensure that the specified modifications to the rudder trim tab are carried out as per the instructions provided in Fokker Service Bulletin F27/55-62. This involves making physical changes to the aircraft to address the design issues that the previous rudder trim tab configuration presented. The directive is clear that these modifications must be completed before the specified deadline to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in AD/F27/111 could result in significant legal and operational consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance with airworthiness directives. Non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions, which may include grounding the aircraft until the required modifications are completed. Additionally, operators may face financial penalties or other regulatory sanctions. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the directive itself, they can be substantial and are determined by CASA based on the severity and frequency of the non-compliance.