AD/F27/137 - Rudder Horn Assembly and Control Rod

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, which are regulatory measures designed to address identified safety issues in aircraft. One such directive, AD/F27/137, focuses on Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes and mandates the replacement of the rudder horn assembly and control rod to prevent fractures caused by impact overload due to heavy gust conditions while parked. This directive was introduced to address the safety concern arising from multiple reports of cracked or broken rudder horns in the specified Fokker F27 models, aiming to prevent potential unsafe conditions that could affect flight safety. The requirement for compliance was set prior to 1 March 1996, reflecting CASA's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes, which includes all models from the F27 Mk 100 through to the Mk 700 series, irrespective of their serial numbers, if they are in the pre-SB F27/27-131 configuration. This regulation is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is intended to ensure that these aircraft meet the safety standards set forth by the RLD AD 94-105 (A). The requirement is for the aircraft to be fitted with an improved rudder horn assembly and control rod as per Fokker Service Bulletin F27/27-131. This directive is necessitated by reports of cracked or broken rudder horns, an issue that has been traced to impact overloads from heavy gust conditions while the aircraft were parked. CASA mandates compliance with this directive prior to 1 March 1996 to mitigate the identified unsafe condition that may affect these aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Airworthiness Directives for Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes, with the focus being on the rudder horn assembly and control rod as outlined in AD/F27/137 (Section 11/94). This directive applies to all models of the F27 series, from Mk 100 through Mk 700, irrespective of the serial numbers, provided they are in the pre-SB F27/27-131 configuration. The directive mandates that action must be taken in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/27-131 (Section 11/94), which is referenced as RLD AD 94-105 (A). Compliance with this directive is required before 1 March 1996. Under this legislation, the primary obligation for operators and maintainers of Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes is to ensure that the specified action, as detailed in Fokker SB F27/27-131, is implemented. This includes the fitment of an improved rudder horn assembly and control rod to mitigate the risk of cracked or broken rudder horns, which could lead to an unsafe condition. The directive mandates that these improvements must be completed by the specified date to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose specific requirements on the parties governed by this directive. These requirements include conducting a thorough inspection of the rudder horn assembly and control rod, and if necessary, replacing or repairing the components to meet the specifications outlined in the service bulletin. Operators must also ensure that all maintenance and modification activities are carried out by appropriately qualified personnel and that all work is logged and documented accurately to reflect compliance with the directive. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/F27/137 may result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline various penalties and legal repercussions for non-compliance, which may include fines and potential criminal charges for individuals or corporations. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the breach and the specific regulatory provisions that are contravened. In severe cases, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may also impose operational restrictions or even ground the aircraft until the required modifications are completed.