AD/F27/147 - Fuselage Attachment Fittings

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, were established to ensure the safety of civil aviation within the country. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives includes provisions for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft, including Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes. This legislation was introduced to address the identified problem of stress corrosion cracking in the wing-to-fuselage attachments of certain Fokker F27 models, which posed a significant safety risk. The policy objective is to ensure that these aircraft maintain their airworthiness through regular inspections and maintenance as mandated by the relevant Airworthiness Directives. AD/F27/147, which became effective on 7 October 1999, requires operators of Fokker F27 Mk. 100 through Mk. 700 (excluding Mk. 500RF) with specific serial numbers to inspect their wing-to-fuselage fittings according to the instructions outlined in STORK Fokker Service Bulletin F27/57-77. This directive was prompted by reports of cracked fittings due to stress corrosion cracking, a known issue with the 7079-T6 aluminium material used in these fittings. Compliance with this directive is mandatory before 7 December 1999, unless the inspection has already been completed. This measure aims to mitigate the risk of structural failure and enhance the overall safety of civil aviation operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates stringent requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes. This particular directive, AD/F27/147, applies to the fuselage attachment fittings of Fokker F27 aircraft, encompassing models F27 Mk. 100 through Mk. 700, excluding Mk. 500RF, with serial numbers ranging from 10102 to 10105 and 10582. The directive mandates that these aircraft must undergo inspection of their wing-to-fuselage fittings in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions outlined in STORK Fokker Service Bulletin F27/57-77. This inspection is imperative to address issues of stress corrosion cracking, particularly in fittings manufactured from 7079-T6 aluminium, a material susceptible to this form of corrosion. Compliance with this directive is necessary before 7 December 1999, unless the inspection has already been completed, with the directive becoming effective on 7 October 1999. This legislative requirement underscores the importance of adhering to specific maintenance protocols to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of the specified aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, mandate the maintenance and safety standards for specific aircraft models, including the Fokker F27 series. Section AD/F27/147 specifically addresses fuselage attachment fittings for the F27 Mk. 100 through Mk. 700 (excluding Mk. 500RF) with serial numbers ranging from 10102 to 10582. The directive mandates that these aircraft must undergo an inspection of the wing-to-fuselage fittings according to the Accomplishment Instructions outlined in STORK Fokker Service Bulletin F27/57-77. The directive references RLD AD 1999-053, which highlights the urgency and relevance of this inspection. Entities and individuals responsible for the operation of these aircraft must comply with the requirements set out in the Airworthiness Directive. They are obligated to ensure that the inspections are conducted before 7 December 1999, or if already completed, before the effective date of the directive on 7 October 1999. This directive is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity and safety of the affected Fokker F27 series aircraft, particularly in light of the stress corrosion cracking issues identified in the wing-to-fuselage fittings. Failure to adhere to these regulations could result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, potentially leading to grounding and further regulatory action. Violating the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive may lead to severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations impose penalties for non-compliance, which can include significant fines and potential criminal charges. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, operators who fail to comply with airworthiness directives can be subject to penalties that may include fines of up to $210,000 for a corporation and up to $42,000 for an individual. Additionally, continued non-compliance could result in the suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, effectively preventing the aircraft from being operated until the necessary compliance measures are implemented. This stringent enforcement underscores the importance of adhering to the specified inspection protocols to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft in question.