AD/F27/90 Amdt 1 - Pneumatic Isolating Valves - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, established by the Parliament of Australia, provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for civil aviation safety. The 1998 Regulations include Part 39, which deals specifically with Airworthiness Directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australia. One such Airworthiness Directive is AD/F27/90 Amendment 1, which pertains to Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes and mandates the inspection of pneumatic isolating valves to prevent in-flight failures. This directive was introduced to address the identified problem of potential cracks in the pneumatic isolating valves, which could compromise the integrity of the aircraft's systems. The policy objective is to ensure that any identified faults are rectified promptly, thereby maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation. Compliance with these directives is mandatory to ensure continued airworthiness and adherence to safety regulations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, applying to Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes. This particular regulation, AD/F27/90 Amendment 1, mandates the inspection of pneumatic isolating valves, specifically those manufactured by Dunlop Aviation Division with part numbers ACM 17892 or ACM 26214, for any cracks around the internal circumference of the valve body, as well as the area of the undercut in the main body chamber. This inspection applies to all Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes equipped with these particular pneumatic isolating valves. The directive requires that inspections must be performed using a method approved by the Secretary, and that any valve body showing cracks extending through more than one third of the wall thickness must be replaced before the aeroplane can be flown again. Compliance with this directive is required within 250 hours of time in service after 31 March 1977 and then at intervals not exceeding 2400 hours of time in service. This legislation applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and extends its requirements to all operators of Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes that meet the specified criteria. The regulation does not explicitly mention any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds other than the outlined inspection requirements and intervals. The scope of this airworthiness directive is tightly defined, focusing exclusively on the specified models and components, thereby ensuring that the safety measures are applied precisely where necessary.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39, section 105, includes an airworthiness directive (AD/F27/90 Amendment 1) concerning the Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes. This directive mandates the inspection of pneumatic isolating valves, specifically Dunlop Aviation Division P/N ACM 17892 or ACM 26214, for any cracks around the internal circumference of the body and other specified parts. This inspection requirement applies to all Fokker F27 Series aeroplanes fitted with these particular valves (Section 105). The directive necessitates the use of an inspection method approved by the Secretary to ensure the integrity of these components. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, the primary obligation for the parties involved, such as aircraft operators and maintenance organisations, is to comply with the specified inspection intervals. The inspection must be carried out within 250 hours of time in service after 31 March 1977 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 2400 hours of time in service (Section 105). This ensures that any potential cracks are detected and addressed in a timely manner, maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the airworthiness directive can result in serious consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the legislative text provided, breaches of airworthiness regulations typically carry significant civil and criminal penalties. In the broader context of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance can lead to fines, suspension of certificates, and potential criminal charges against individuals responsible for the oversight of the aircraft. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the stipulated inspection schedules and methods to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.