AD/F27/139 - Outer Wing Rib-to-Stringer Connections

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, were introduced to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation provides a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation, including airworthiness standards, licensing of personnel and aircraft, and operational safety. Part 39 - 105 of these regulations specifically addresses Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for particular aircraft types, such as the Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes. The AD/F27/139 directive aims to address a problem identified with the outer wing rib-to-stringer connections on certain Fokker F27 aircraft, where lower strength rivets were found to be installed, potentially compromising the structural integrity of the aircraft. The policy objective is to ensure that these aircraft meet the necessary safety standards by requiring inspections and the replacement of specified rivets to prevent any issues related to loose or missing rivets. The AD/F27/139 directive applies to Fokker F27 aircraft with specific serial numbers that have not incorporated certain service bulletins. It mandates visual inspections of the wing rib-to-stringer connections at specified wing stations and requires the replacement of identified rivets with stronger ones. Compliance with these directives must occur before a certain number of flights or by specified dates, whichever is later, to ensure that the aircraft maintain their airworthiness. This regulatory action underscores the commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation, reflecting the overarching goal of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 to safeguard the public and ensure the reliability of air travel.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes with serial numbers 10653 to 10692 inclusive, provided they have not incorporated Service Bulletins F27/57-68 Part 1 and F27/57-70 Part 1. This legislation mandates that the outer wing rib-to-stringer connections be visually inspected for loose and missing rivets at specified wing stations and replaced if necessary. The directive requires adherence to Fokker Service Bulletin F27/57-74 Part 2 for inspection and Part 1 for rivet replacement. Compliance must be achieved either before the aircraft reaches 10,000 flights or by 2 May 1995 for inspection, and before 10,000 flights or by 1 December 1995 for rivet replacement, whichever date is later. This legislation ensures the continued airworthiness of these aircraft by addressing the issue of inadequate rivet strength, which was found to be a potential safety hazard.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in Part 39 - 105, address the airworthiness directives for specific aircraft types, including the Fokker F27 series aeroplanes. Within this context, AD/F27/139 pertains to the outer wing rib-to-stringer connections of F27 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 10653 to 10692, excluding those that have already incorporated certain service bulletins. Section 1 of AD/F27/139 mandates a visual inspection of the wing upper and lower skin rib-to-stringer connections at specific wing stations, namely 11260, 11860, 12660, and 13460. This inspection is to ascertain the presence of loose and missing rivets, to be conducted in line with Fokker Service Bulletin (SB) F27/57-74 Part 2. Additionally, the directive requires the replacement of P/N MS20600AD4W2 rivets with P/N CR3553P4 rivets at these wing stations, following the instructions detailed in Fokker SB F27/57-74 Part 1. In terms of compliance, the Civil Aviation Regulations impose clear timelines for these inspections and replacements. Operators must inspect the specified rib-to-stringer connections either before the aircraft reaches 10,000 flights or before 2 May 1995, whichever is later. Similarly, the replacement of the rivets must be completed either before the aircraft accumulates 10,000 flights or before 1 December 1995, again, whichever is later. These requirements ensure that the structural integrity of the affected Fokker F27 aircraft is maintained and that any potential safety issues are proactively addressed. Failure to adhere to the mandates outlined in AD/F27/139 could lead to significant legal and operational repercussions. The Civil Aviation Regulations provide for both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties can result in imprisonment, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance. The specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the provided text, but they are typically substantial, reflecting the critical nature of ensuring aircraft airworthiness. Operators are thus legally bound to comply with these directives to avoid such consequences and to ensure the safety of their operations.