Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia by setting out the standards and procedures that must be followed to maintain airworthiness. This legislation was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework to oversee the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products, ensuring compliance with safety standards and mitigating risks associated with civil aviation activities. The regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the CASR 1998 and issuing airworthiness directives to address specific safety concerns. The policy objective behind the CASR 1998 is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation by establishing stringent regulatory standards that govern all aspects of aircraft operation and maintenance, thereby protecting the public and promoting confidence in the aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR), specifically Part 39, pertains to the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products. The ADs apply to specific aircraft or aeronautical products and mandate corrective actions to address identified safety issues. This particular AD/F27/155 applies to all Fokker F27 series aircraft from Model F.27 Mk.100 through Mk. 700. The requirement outlined in the AD mandates that the aileron spring tab balance units be inspected and, if necessary, replaced in accordance with the instructions provided in Part 2 of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/27-137 dated 19 March 2003. Compliance with this directive is mandatory before 1 May 2005, unless the specified action has already been completed. The AD becomes effective from 10 July 2003, and its issuance is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 18 June 2003.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, establish specific requirements for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft. The Airworthiness Directive (AD) discussed here pertains to the Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes, specifically AD/F27/155, which addresses the aileron spring tab balance units (CASR 1998, subreg. 39.1). This directive applies to all Model F.27 Mk.100 through Mk. 700 series aircraft. The requirement set forth is that these aircraft must undergo inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the aileron spring tab balance units as detailed in Part 2, Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Service Bulletin F27/27-137, dated 19 March 2003. The AD mandates that these actions be completed in accordance with the specific instructions provided and before a certain date, in this case, before 1 May 2003. The directive became effective on 10 July 2003, as indicated in the document. The underlying reason for this directive stems from an incident where the flight crew had to apply aileron trim during heavy turbulence, leading to subsequent inspection findings that highlighted potential safety risks. Specifically, the left-hand aileron was found to be hanging down, and damage to the aileron spring tab and the skin of the aircraft was noted due to overtravel of the push-pull rod. The discovery of a crack in the upper inboard attachment lug of the aileron spring tab balance unit housing further underscored the necessity for these safety measures. Entities and parties governed by this AD, including aircraft operators and maintenance providers, must comply with the directive by ensuring the specified inspections and repairs are carried out in a timely and precise manner. Failure to adhere to these requirements can lead to significant safety risks, potentially resulting in loss of control over the affected wing. The directive references a similar action by the Netherlands Civil Aviation Authority (CAA-NL), AD 2003-037, indicating a collaborative approach to addressing this safety issue. In terms of legal consequences, failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive can result in severe penalties. The AD is legally binding, and non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text provided, non-compliance with ADs generally can result in civil or criminal penalties, depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety. The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 empower the Authority to take necessary actions to enforce compliance, which could include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory measures.