AD/F27/56 Amdt 1 - Rudder Trim Tab - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), specifically under Part 39 - 105, introduced by the Australian Parliament, aim to address safety concerns in civil aviation. One such regulation, F2006B09733, pertains to Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes, targeting a specific safety issue related to the rudder trim tab on these aircraft. This legislative instrument was enacted to ensure compliance with safety directives concerning Fokker F27 aeroplanes, particularly those that have exceeded 1000 hours of service and have not incorporated Service Bulletin B-169. The policy objective is to mandate regular inspections of the rudder trim tabs at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of service to maintain airworthiness standards and mitigate potential safety risks. The regulation ensures that Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes remain compliant with the required safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Act 1998, pertain to the regulation of airworthiness directives in Australia. Within this framework, Airworthiness Directive AD/F27/56 Amendment 1 mandates that all Fokker F27 series aeroplanes with rudder trim tabs that have accumulated over 1000 hours of service time, and have not incorporated Service Bulletin B-169, must undergo inspections at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of service time. This regulation applies to all operators of Fokker F27 series aircraft within the Australian jurisdiction, ensuring compliance with the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive does not specify exclusions or exemptions, but it does rely on subordinate documentation, such as Fokker Service Bulletin B-165, Issue 3, for detailed compliance procedures and requirements.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that apply to various aircraft models, including the Fokker F27 series aeroplanes. The AD/F27/56 Amendment 1 focuses on the inspection of the rudder trim tab for Fokker F27 series aeroplanes. This AD applies to all models of the Fokker F27 series with rudder trim tabs that have accumulated more than 1000 hours of time in service, provided they have not incorporated Service Bulletin B-169. The directive mandates that these inspections must be carried out at intervals not exceeding 200 hours of time in service (AD/F27/56 Amendment 1). The obligations under this directive require the operators of the Fokker F27 series aeroplanes to ensure that the rudder trim tabs are inspected as per the specified intervals. The compliance document for this AD is Fokker Service Bulletin B-165, Issue 3, which provides detailed instructions and procedures for conducting the required inspections. The operators must maintain records of these inspections to demonstrate compliance with the AD. This ensures that any potential issues with the rudder trim tab are identified and addressed promptly, thereby maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/F27/56 Amendment 1 can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement actions against operators who do not adhere to the AD. Such non-compliance could result in the grounding of the affected aircraft until the required inspections are conducted and any identified issues are rectified. Furthermore, there may be civil or criminal penalties imposed for non-compliance, although the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself. Operators are therefore strongly encouraged to ensure full compliance to avoid any potential enforcement actions or legal repercussions.