COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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 aircraft or 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.
Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes
AD/F27/154 Engine Mount, Brace Struts and Fittings 9/2002
Applicability: Model F27 MK. 100 through Mk.700 aircraft, all serial numbers, if modified in accordance with one or more of the following service bulletins: F27/71-29, F27/71- 31, F27/71-41, F27/71-42, and F27/54-32; and all aircraft that operate with a standard flap setting for landing of 26.5 degrees.
Requirement: 1. Inspect the engine mounting frame, brace struts and attachment fittings for part number identification and to establish compliance with the additional requirements, as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/54-53, dated 15 February 2002.
2. Replace any engine mounting frames, brace struts and attachment fittings not having the correct part number with the correct parts in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/54-53.
Note: Netherlands CAA AD 2002-067 refers.
Compliance: 1. Before 1 January 2003.
2 Before 1 July 2004.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 5 September 2002.
Background: Over the years, several modifications have allowed the introduction of higher rated and/or heavier engines, maximum landing weights above 40,000 lbs (18,144 kg) and standard flap settings of 26.5 degrees for landing on certain F27 models. These changes have resulted in increased loads on the engine mounts. The possibility exists that during these upgrades, incorrect engine mounts, brace struts and/or attachment fittings were re- installed.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 24 July 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 August 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation operations in Australia. This legislative instrument aims to address specific safety concerns by issuing Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issues these ADs to correct unsafe conditions and ensure compliance with safety standards. In this particular case, the AD F27/154 pertains to Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes, specifically addressing issues with engine mount, brace struts, and fittings. This AD was introduced to mitigate the risks associated with increased loads on engine mounts due to modifications that allowed for higher-rated and heavier engines, as well as increased maximum landing weights and specific flap settings. The AD mandates inspections and, where necessary, the replacement of incorrect parts to ensure compliance with safety standards. This directive was issued to ensure that the identified safety issues are resolved before specified deadlines, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation in Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the scope of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, specifies the Airworthiness Directive (AD) aimed at ensuring the safe operation of Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes. Specifically, this AD applies to all Fokker F27 MK. 100 through Mk. 700 aircraft, irrespective of their serial numbers, if they have undergone modifications in accordance with specific Fokker Service Bulletins or operate with a standard flap setting of 26.5 degrees for landing. The AD mandates inspections and, if necessary, replacements of engine mounting frames, brace struts, and attachment fittings to comply with the outlined requirements. The directive necessitates inspections and corrective actions to be completed before specified deadlines: the initial inspection must occur before 1 January 2003, and any required replacements must be completed before 1 July 2004. The AD became effective on 5 September 2002 and is published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 August 2002.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39, provide a legal framework for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft in Australia. Section 39.1(1) of the Regulations allows for the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address specific safety concerns. AD/F27/154, issued for Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes, is an example of such a directive. It requires specific actions to be taken on the engine mount, brace struts, and fittings of certain Fokker F27 models to address safety concerns arising from modifications and operational changes.
The AD applies to all Fokker F27 MK. 100 through Mk.700 aircraft, regardless of serial number, if they have been modified in accordance with specific Fokker service bulletins (F27/71-29, F27/71-31, F27/71-41, F27/71-42, and F27/54-32) and to all aircraft operating with a standard flap setting for landing of 26.5 degrees. The directive requires operators to inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine mounting frame, brace struts, and attachment fittings to ensure compliance with Fokker Service Bulletin F27/54-53, dated 15 February 2002. These actions are to be completed by specified deadlines: inspection before 1 January 2003, and replacement of non-compliant parts before 1 July 2004.
Operators of affected Fokker F27 aircraft must adhere to the AD's requirements to ensure compliance with Australian aviation safety standards. This involves conducting thorough inspections of the engine mounting frames, brace struts, and attachment fittings as specified in Fokker Service Bulletin F27/54-53. Any discrepancies, such as incorrect part numbers, must be rectified by replacing the parts with the correct ones in accordance with the same bulletin. The AD also mandates that these inspections and replacements be completed by the specified deadlines to maintain airworthiness.
Failure to comply with the AD/F27/154 could result in serious safety implications, as the directive addresses critical structural components of the aircraft. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state specific penalties for non-compliance with ADs, failure to comply with such directives could lead to regulatory action under the broader provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. This could include enforcement actions, fines, or even grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved, thereby potentially affecting the operator's ability to conduct flights and incurring associated costs and reputational damage.