AD/F27/99 - Passenger Door Outboard Lettering - Emergency Operating Instructions Changed

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address the safety of aircraft operations within Australia and are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislation was enacted to ensure that aircraft meet the required safety standards, thereby safeguarding the public and enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation. One of the specific directives under this regulation is AD/F27/99, which pertains to Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes and mandates changes to the passenger door outboard lettering related to emergency operating instructions. The objective of this directive is to ensure that all emergency instructions on the aircraft are complete and legible, thereby facilitating effective emergency procedures and enhancing the safety of passengers and crew. This directive responds to a problem identified where the new passenger door operating mechanism, introduced with Service Bulletin F27/52-47, had incomplete painted emergency instructions, which could potentially compromise safety during an emergency.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to Fokker F27 series aeroplanes within the specified serial number range. This legislation mandates compliance with emergency operating instructions for the passenger door outboard lettering, as outlined in AD/F27/99, ensuring that aircraft with specific serial numbers and those equipped with a passenger door adhere to the safety requirements. The directive applies to Fokker F27 aircraft with serial numbers 10102 to 10362 inclusive, where Service Bulletin F27/52-47 has been implemented, as well as to aircraft with serial numbers 10363 to 10523 inclusive if they are equipped with a passenger door. Additionally, it applies to specific serial numbers 10534, 10539, 10545, 10550, 10551, and 10552. Compliance with these directives must be achieved before 31 April 1980, as detailed in Fokker F27 Service Bulletin No. F27/11-1 and its revision dated 31 July 1978. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this legislation is governed by the Commonwealth of Australia, with CASA overseeing the enforcement and compliance of these airworthiness directives across the nation.

Key Provisions

The primary sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically the Airworthiness Directives (AD) for Fokker F27 Series Aeroplanes, include AD/F27/99 which mandates changes to the passenger door outboard lettering and emergency operating instructions. Section (10102 to 10362) applies to aircraft which have incorporated Service Bulletin (SB) F27/52-47, while section (10363 to 10523) applies to aircraft equipped with a passenger door and certain specific serial numbers (10534, 10539, 10550, 10551, and 10552). These directives necessitate compliance before 31 April 1980, as outlined in Fokker F27 Service Bulletin No. F27/11-1 and its revision dated 31 July 1978. The changes involve correcting the incomplete painted emergency instructions on the new passenger door operating mechanism. The obligations imposed by these directives are clear and specific. Aircraft owners or operators must ensure that the passenger door outboard lettering and emergency operating instructions are complete and legible, as per the instructions provided in the referenced service bulletins. This includes verifying that the aircraft serial numbers fall within the specified ranges and that any modifications or updates to the passenger door are in line with the requirements outlined in the service bulletins. Compliance must be achieved by the stipulated deadline to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with these directives can lead to significant consequences. Civil penalties may be imposed under section 332 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. The maximum penalty for an individual is $22,224, and for a body corporate, the penalty can be significantly higher, up to $1,111,110. Additionally, the non-compliance could result in the grounding of the aircraft, which would affect its operational status and potentially lead to further regulatory actions or investigations. These stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to the directives to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.