Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted to establish the regulatory framework governing aviation safety in Australia, addressing critical safety issues and ensuring compliance with international standards. One particular legislative instrument under these regulations, F2006B09717, is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in 2000. This AD specifically targets Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes, requiring a one-time inspection and functional check of the flight crew shoulder harness to rectify an unsafe condition identified through overseas reports. The directive aims to enhance safety by addressing potential harness malfunctions, ensuring adherence to safety standards, and thereby preventing accidents related to the shoulder harness assembly. This legislative instrument is a practical application of CAR 1998's mandate to safeguard civil aviation through proactive safety measures.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to all aircraft that are equipped with Pacific Scientific Model 0108900 series flight crew shoulder harness assemblies, which are part of the Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes. The AD, issued by the delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), requires a one-time inspection and functional check of the shoulder harness in accordance with Fokker Services' Service Bulletin F27/25-65, aimed at ensuring the safety of the flight crew by correcting a reported unsafe condition where a pilot’s shoulder harness pulled out of the inertia reel due to an incorrectly attached reel mechanism. The directive is in effect from 23 March 2000, with a compliance deadline of 23 September 2000, and is applicable within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia. The AD is specifically tailored to address safety concerns associated with the mentioned shoulder harness assemblies in the specified aircraft models.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, mandate safety protocols and requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft. Section 39.105 deals with Airworthiness Directives (ADs) which are issued to address safety issues identified in aircraft. For instance, AD/F27/150 focuses on the Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes, requiring a one-time inspection and functional check of the flight crew's shoulder harness assemblies (section 39.1 (1)). This directive applies to all aircraft equipped with Pacific Scientific Model 0108900 series flight crew shoulder harness assemblies. The obligations under this directive are clear: the shoulder harness must be inspected and checked according to Fokker Services’ SB F27/25-65. This means that operators must ensure that the inspection and functional check are carried out meticulously to prevent any unsafe conditions that could arise from the harness failing to operate correctly. The directive references RLD AD 1999-139, dated 29 October 1999, indicating that it builds on previous safety measures. The compliance timeline is strict, requiring that the inspection and check be completed before 23 September 2000, with the AD becoming effective from 23 March 2000. Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. The AD is designed to correct an identified unsafe condition, and non-compliance could potentially lead to severe safety issues, including the risk of the shoulder harness failing during flight. While specific penalties are not detailed in the AD, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions can include fines, penalties, and in severe cases, grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The authority of CASA under CAR 1998 ensures that operators are held accountable for maintaining the airworthiness of their aircraft.