COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/F27/149 | Fuel Differential Pressure Switches | 3/2000 TX |
Applicability: | Model F27 Mk 100 through Mk 700 series aeroplanes, all serial numbers. | |
Requirement: 1. Inspect the installed fuel differential pressure switches and attaching fuel pressure sensing lines for proper installation in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin (SB) F27/28-63 dated November 21, 1999.
2. Re-install, in accordance with Fokker SB F27/28-63 dated November 21,1999, any fuel differential pressure switches and/or fuel pressure sensing lines found incorrectly installed during the above inspection.
Note: RLD AD (BLA) 1999-154 dated November 30, 1999 refers.
Compliance: 1. Within one calendar month after the effective date of this directive.
2. Before further flight.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 2 February 2000.
Background: Recent instances have occurred where the fuel differential switch was installed upside down which can result in inadvertent cross-connection of the fuel pressure sensing lines inhibiting the function of the fuel filter icing warning system. This could leave an ice-blocked fuel filter undetected, leading to fuel starvation and engine flame-out.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 29 January 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 2 February 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 – 105, introduced a specific Airworthiness Directive to address safety concerns identified with Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes. Enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), this directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of unsafe conditions related to the fuel differential pressure switches. The problem identified was the potential for these switches to be installed incorrectly, which could inhibit the fuel filter icing warning system, leading to undetected fuel filter blockages and subsequent engine issues. The policy objective of the directive was to ensure that all Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes undergo necessary inspections and corrective actions to maintain airworthiness and flight safety, thus protecting both passengers and crew from potential hazards arising from such mechanical failures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety of aircraft through Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular directive, AD/F27/149, applies to all Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes, from the F27 Mk 100 through Mk 700 series, irrespective of their serial numbers. The directive mandates inspections and corrective actions on the fuel differential pressure switches and the attached fuel pressure sensing lines to ensure proper installation, as outlined in Fokker Service Bulletin F27/28-63 dated November 21, 1999. These measures are crucial to prevent issues such as the inadvertent cross-connection of fuel pressure sensing lines, which could inhibit the function of the fuel filter icing warning system, potentially leading to fuel starvation and engine flame-out. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within one calendar month from its effective date of 2 February 2000, and it must be completed before any further flight of the affected aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) under Part 39 - 105 include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address specific safety concerns with Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes (section 39.1 (1)). This directive, identified as AD/F27/149, pertains to the fuel differential pressure switches and their installation on all models of the F27 series, from Mk 100 to Mk 700, regardless of their serial numbers. The directive mandates that operators inspect and, if necessary, correct the installation of these switches and their associated fuel pressure sensing lines to ensure they are installed correctly as per Fokker Service Bulletin (SB) F27/28-63 dated November 21, 1999. The directive is critical as improper installation of the switches can lead to the inadvertent cross-connection of fuel pressure sensing lines, which inhibits the function of the fuel filter icing warning system, potentially causing engine flame-out due to undetected ice-blocked fuel filters.
Operators of Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes are required to adhere to this AD by inspecting the installed fuel differential pressure switches and their associated fuel pressure sensing lines within one calendar month from the effective date of the directive, which is 2 February 2000. Additionally, any corrective action must be completed before the aeroplane takes further flight. The directive references the need to follow specific instructions detailed in Fokker SB F27/28-63 to ensure compliance. This requirement is aimed at maintaining the airworthiness of the aeroplanes and preventing unsafe conditions that could endanger flight operations.
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive could result in serious safety issues, as outlined in the background section. The directive explicitly states that non-compliance with the specified inspection and corrective actions can lead to the inhibition of the fuel filter icing warning system, potentially causing undetected ice-blocked fuel filters and subsequent engine flame-out. While the AD itself does not specify particular penalties or consequences for non-compliance, non-compliance with regulations under the CAR 1998 can lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which may include fines, operational restrictions, or other regulatory actions to ensure compliance and maintain aviation safety standards.