Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, was enacted to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation in Australia. A specific part of this legislation, Part 39 - 105, deals with the scheduling of airworthiness directives to address safety concerns and compliance with international standards. One such directive, AD/F27/133, pertains to Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes, addressing the issue of flap actuator noise filter capacitors. This directive was introduced following reports of capacitor detachment, which caused damage to the lower aileron cable, prompting the requirement for inspection and replacement of these components to prevent similar incidents. The policy objective is to ensure that such safety issues are identified and rectified to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft, thereby protecting passengers and crew.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, applies to the Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes, with the exception of the Mk 050 model. This legislation mandates compliance with Airworthiness Directive AD/F27/133, which pertains to the inspection and replacement of flap actuator noise filter capacitors. This requirement is aimed at preventing the detachment of such capacitors, which can cause damage to the lower aileron cable, as reported by Fokker. The directive necessitates that the specified action be taken in accordance with Fokker's Service Bulletin F27/27-135 dated 1 June 1992 and Lucas Aerospace Power Equipment Corporation's Service Bulletin D7-9-27-01 dated 15 May 1991, with reference to RLD AD 92-076 dated 10 July 1992. Compliance must be achieved within 500 hours of time in service from 15 October 1992 or before 1 January 1993, whichever is the earlier date. This regulation is applicable nationwide and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft within Australian airspace.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly under PART 39 - 105, includes specific Airworthiness Directives (AD) concerning the maintenance and safety of aircraft. One such directive, AD/F27/133, pertains to Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes and mandates action regarding the flap actuator noise filter capacitors (section 1). The directive requires compliance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/27-135 dated 1 June 1992 and Lucas Aerospace Power Equipment Corporation Service Bulletin D7-9-27-01 dated 15 May 1991 (section 1). This involves inspecting and, if necessary, replacing the noise filter capacitors to mitigate the risk of detachment, which could lead to damage to the lower aileron cable, as experienced by one operator. Operators of the Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes, excluding the Mk 050 model, are obligated to adhere to the specified actions within 500 hours of time in service from 15 October 1992 or before 1 January 1993, whichever comes first (section 1). This directive is underpinned by Referenced Legislative Determination AD 92-076 dated 10 July 1992 (section 1). The overarching goal is to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft by preventing potential damage caused by detached capacitors. Failure to comply with AD/F27/133 could have serious repercussions. Although the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly detail the penalties for non-compliance with specific Airworthiness Directives, general provisions within the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline potential penalties for breaches of safety regulations. These can include substantial fines and other civil penalties. Additionally, non-compliance could lead to criminal charges if the breach results in significant harm or endangers flight safety, potentially resulting in imprisonment. In summary, AD/F27/133 mandates specific actions to ensure the safety of Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes by addressing the issue of flap actuator noise filter capacitors. Operators must comply with these directives within the specified timeframe, and failure to do so can result in severe civil and potentially criminal penalties. The directive aims to prevent potential damage and ensure the continued safe operation of these aircraft.