AD/F27/143 - Port Elevator Torque Tube

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, are a critical component of Australian civil aviation law, designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of aviation operations within the country. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations addresses airworthiness directives, ensuring that all aircraft meet specific safety standards. One such directive, AD/F27/143, pertains to Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes and was introduced to address the identified issue of cracking on the torque tube support of the port elevator. This directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to mandate inspections and necessary repairs on affected aircraft, aiming to prevent potential safety hazards. The policy objective behind this directive is to maintain and enhance the airworthiness of the Fokker F27 Series by mitigating the risk associated with the identified structural issue. The Airworthiness Directive AD/F27/143, effective from 27 March 1997, applies to all Fokker F27 Mark 100 to Mark 700 aircraft and requires inspections in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/55-66. Compliance with this directive must be achieved prior to the aircraft accumulating 45,000 flight cycles or before 31 July 1997, whichever occurs last. This measure was introduced in response to reports of structural weaknesses and aims to ensure that these aircraft continue to meet the stringent safety standards required by Australian aviation regulations. The directive references earlier regulatory measures such as RLD AD 1995-007, indicating a continuous effort by CASA to monitor and address aircraft safety concerns proactively.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to all aircraft registered in Australia, including the Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes. The specific Airworthiness Directive AD/F27/143 pertains to Fokker F27 aircraft ranging from Mk 100 to Mk 700, covering all serial numbers within this series. This directive mandates a thorough inspection of the port elevator torque tube in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/55-66. The directive references RLD AD 1995-007, which highlights the importance of addressing the issue of cracking found on the torque tube support of the port elevator. Compliance with this directive is required before the aircraft accumulates 45,000 flight cycles or before 31 July 1997, whichever comes later. The directive became effective on 27 March 1997, underscoring the urgency and critical nature of the safety measures involved. This regulation is a crucial aspect of ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of Fokker F27 aircraft operating within the Australian aviation sector.

Key Provisions

The key sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, pertaining to the Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes, specifically address the port elevator torque tube in Airworthiness Directive AD/F27/143 (section 39-105.001). This directive applies to all Fokker F27 Mk 100 to Mk 700 aeroplanes (section 39-105.002). The primary requirement is that an inspection must be carried out in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/55-66 (section 39-105.003). It is important to note that this directive references RLD AD 1995-007 (section 39-105.004). The compliance mandate stipulates that this inspection must be completed prior to the accumulation of 45,000 flight cycles or before 31 July 1997, whichever comes last (section 39-105.005). The directive became effective on 27 March 1997 (section 39-105.006). The directive was issued following reports of cracking found on the torque tube support of the port elevator (section 39-105.007). The obligations imposed by this Act on the relevant parties are clear and precise. Operators of Fokker F27 Mk 100 to Mk 700 aeroplanes must ensure that the inspection of the port elevator torque tube is conducted as specified in Fokker Service Bulletin F27/55-66 (section 39-105.003). This requirement is critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft. The directive mandates that the inspection must be completed before reaching a specific flight cycle threshold or before a particular date, whichever is later (section 39-105.005). The directive references RLD AD 1995-007, indicating that operators should also consider this related directive in their compliance efforts (section 39-105.004). Failure to comply with the obligations set out in the Airworthiness Directive can result in significant legal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the directive, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Potential consequences may include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, and possibly criminal charges for operators or individuals responsible for ensuring compliance. The severity of these penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance. It is crucial for operators to adhere to the specified requirements to avoid such repercussions and ensure the safety and legality of their operations.