AD/F27/121 - Flight Controls - Elevator Trim System

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Legislative instrument F2006B09688, address a specific safety concern related to the Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes, particularly the elevator trim system. This legislative instrument was enacted to ensure compliance with the technical requirements outlined in the Netherlands Airworthiness Directive BLA 90-106, aiming to enhance the resistance to flutter and improve the maintainability of the elevator and trim tab systems. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is the enacting body responsible for ensuring that these directives are effectively implemented to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft. The policy objective behind these regulations is to mitigate potential safety risks associated with the specified Fokker F27 models, thereby safeguarding the integrity of civil aviation operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/F27/121 concerning Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes, applies to aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 10102 to 10684 inclusive, as well as 10686, 10687, and 10689 to 10692 inclusive. This directive mandates that action must be taken in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in the Netherlands AD BLA 90-106 to address modifications to the elevator and trim tab systems. These modifications are intended to enhance the systems' resistance to flutter and facilitate easier maintenance. The directive applies to the specified Fokker F27 aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, with compliance required from the effective date of 5 October 1990. The directive’s applicability is limited to the particular Fokker F27 aircraft identified by their serial numbers, and there are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the text. Subordinate instruments may extend or further detail the application of this directive, but no such provisions are specified in the provided text.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This legislation mandates that certain Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes, identified by specific serial numbers, must adhere to particular technical requirements (Section 39 - 105). These requirements are outlined in the Netherlands AD BLA 90-106, which details modifications to the elevator and trim tab systems to enhance their resistance to flutter and ease of maintenance (Section 39 - 105). Entities or individuals governed by these regulations must ensure that the specified Fokker F27 aircraft undergo the necessary modifications as per the Netherlands AD BLA 90-106. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, and it must be achieved in accordance with the technical specifications provided in the Requirement document, which became effective on 5 October 1990 (Section 39 - 105). Additionally, Fokker SB F27/27-130 provides supplementary guidance on the implementation of these modifications. Failure to comply with the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and the associated Airworthiness Directives can result in significant consequences. Non-compliance may be subject to civil penalties, including fines, as well as criminal penalties for more severe breaches (Section 39 - 105). The maximum penalties for these offences are determined by the severity of the violation and can include substantial financial penalties and imprisonment. These legal repercussions underscore the importance of adhering to the regulatory requirements to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the affected Fokker F27 aircraft.