COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes
AD/F27/117
Amdt 1
Engine Nacelles - Upper Brace Struts 9/89
DM
Applicability: F27 S/Nos. 10102 to 10307 inclusive, 10308 to 10340 inclusive, and 10342 to 10360 inclusive.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Fokker S.B. F27/54-44 Revision 1.
Note 1: Aircraft inspected in accordance with the initial issue of SB F27/54-44 do not require any additional inspection as a result of Revision 1.
Note 2: RLD AD 88-42 Issue 2 refers.
Compliance: For aircraft S/Nos 10102 to 10307 inclusive: Prior to 31 May 1989.
For all other affected Aircraft: Prior to 31 July 1989.
Background: There has been a failure of a P/No. 1107-196-401 strut that could have resulted in engine separation. The failed strut was found to be of pre-production configuration. It is possible that the pre-production strut may have been fitted to some aircraft during incorporation of S.B. F27/54-26. Subsequent to the initial issue of SB 54-44, a deviating strut has been found on an aircraft outside the affected serial number range, and it has been established that some of these struts may have been installed during manufacture. Revision 1 expands the effectivity accordingly.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, establishes a comprehensive framework to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia. This legislation, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aims to address the critical need for maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation. The regulations are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and are designed to mitigate risks associated with aircraft operations, including the prevention of mechanical failures that could compromise flight safety. The policy objective underpinning these regulations is to provide a robust legislative and regulatory foundation that ensures the highest possible safety standards are upheld in the Australian aviation sector.
A specific example of these regulations in action is found in the Airworthiness Directives concerning Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes. For instance, AD/F27/117 Amendment 1 pertains to the engine nacelles' upper brace struts. This directive applies to Fokker F27 aircraft with specific serial numbers and requires compliance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/54-44 Revision 1. The directive was issued due to a failure of a pre-production strut that could have resulted in engine separation. The policy objective here is to ensure that all affected aircraft are inspected and any faulty components are replaced or repaired to prevent potential safety incidents.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes as outlined in the Airworthiness Directives (AD). This legislation targets aircraft within certain serial number ranges: F27 S/Nos. 10102 to 10307 inclusive, 10308 to 10340 inclusive, and 10342 to 10360 inclusive. The requirement is for actions to be taken in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/54-44 Revision 1, which addresses the issue of upper brace struts in the engine nacelles. Notably, aircraft that were inspected following the initial issue of Service Bulletin F27/54-44 do not need additional inspections due to Revision 1. Compliance deadlines are set, with aircraft S/Nos 10102 to 10307 needing compliance prior to 31 May 1989, and all other affected aircraft needing to comply before 31 July 1989. The directive is applicable on a Commonwealth level and its scope is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes AD/F27/117 Amendment 1, concerning the engine nacelles of Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes. This directive applies to specific serial numbers of Fokker F27 aircraft, namely those ranging from S/Nos. 10102 to 10307 inclusive, 10308 to 10340 inclusive, and 10342 to 10360 inclusive (subsection 39 - 105.010). The directive requires the aircraft to undergo action as specified in Fokker Service Bulletin F27/54-44 Revision 1, which addresses the replacement or repair of the upper brace struts to prevent potential engine separation due to strut failure. Notably, aircraft inspected in line with the initial issue of Service Bulletin F27/54-44 do not require further inspection due to Revision 1.
Entities governed by this Act must ensure compliance with the airworthiness directive by adhering to the specified timeline for completing the required actions. For aircraft with serial numbers between 10102 and 10307, the compliance deadline was 31 May 1989. For all other affected aircraft, compliance was required by 31 July 1989 (subsection 39 - 105.020). This includes conducting the necessary inspections, identifying any pre-production struts, and taking corrective action as outlined in the relevant service bulletin.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can lead to severe consequences. Such non-compliance may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could prevent it from operating legally. There may also be legal repercussions, including fines and potential criminal charges for those responsible for the aircraft. The exact penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives are not explicitly stated in the provided text, but they could include significant financial penalties and imprisonment under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations. Ensuring adherence to these directives is critical to maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the affected Fokker F27 aircraft.