AD/F27/132 - Truss Member/Rib Attachment Bolts

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, encompasses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes. This legislative instrument, known as AD/F27/132, specifically addresses the truss member/rib attachment bolts. Enacted to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes, this directive was introduced to address a potential safety issue with the original configuration of the truss-member attachment bolts. The primary objective is to enhance the structural integrity and service life of the bolts by requiring a change to a more reliable attachment method. The compliance date set for these modifications was before 1 January 1995, ensuring that all affected aircraft met the updated safety standards in a timely manner. This directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and references RLD AD 91-11-0, aligning with broader regulatory efforts to maintain and improve aviation safety. The directive mandates that the truss members at designated wing stations should be attached with two short bolts instead of one long bolt, following the guidelines set out in Fokker Service Bulletin F27/57-25 Revision 1. This change aims to provide a better clamping effect and extend the service life of the bolts, thereby contributing to the overall safety and operational efficiency of the Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives, applies to Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes that are in the Pre SB F27/57-25 configuration. This regulation mandates that the truss member/rib attachment bolts must be addressed in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/57-25 Revision 1. The directive references RLD AD 91-110, which details the compliance requirements for these modifications. The directive necessitates that the compliance actions be completed prior to 1 January 1995. The regulation impacts operators and maintainers of the affected Fokker F27 aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring safety and airworthiness standards are upheld in the aviation industry. The regulation does not explicitly mention any exclusions or exemptions, implying that all applicable aircraft must comply with the specified modifications. Subordinate instruments may further define the scope and application of this directive, but the primary legislation outlines the fundamental requirement for bolt replacement to enhance safety and service life.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39, Section 105, includes specific directives regarding the airworthiness of Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes. One such directive is AD/F27/132, which concerns the truss member/rib attachment bolts (Section 105). This directive applies to Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes in the Pre SB F27/57-25 configuration (Section 105). The requirement is that the action must be taken in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin (SB) F27/57-25 Revision 1, which provides detailed instructions on replacing the bolts (Section 105). For reference, RLD AD 91-110 also relates to this directive (Section 105). The obligations under AD/F27/132 are specific and require adherence to the instructions outlined in Fokker SB F27/57-25 Revision 1. This includes replacing the long bolts at each truss member end with two shorter bolts to achieve a better clamping effect and extending the service life of the bolts (Section 105). This action must be completed prior to 1 January 1995, as stipulated in the directive (Section 105). Compliance with these specifications is crucial to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensure safety standards are met. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/F27/132 could result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Breaches of these regulations may lead to both civil and criminal liabilities. The specific penalties can vary but are designed to ensure stringent adherence to safety standards. Non-compliance might result in fines, legal action, or even the grounding of the aircraft until the necessary modifications are made. These measures are in place to safeguard the integrity and safety of civil aviation operations.