AD/F28/11 - Landing Gear - Mechanical Control Systems - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, establish a comprehensive regulatory framework aimed at ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, addresses critical safety concerns and operational standards within the aviation industry. One of the key components of this Act is the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes directives such as AD/F28/11, addressing mechanical issues in specific aircraft models like the Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes. The policy objective is to mitigate risks by ensuring that all civil aircraft meet stringent safety standards, thus protecting passengers, crew, and the general public. The directive mandates specific modifications to the landing gear and NK control systems for certain Fokker F28 models, ensuring compliance with safety standards before a specified date.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates Airworthiness Directives (AD) for ensuring the safety of aviation operations within Australia. This particular AD, AD/F28/11, applies to Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 11003 to 11024 and 11991 to 11993. The directive mandates modifications to the mechanical NK control systems of the landing gear, with compliance required before 30 April 1971, as detailed in the Fokker SB F28/32-33 Para. 2, Parts II and III document. The regulations are applicable on a Commonwealth level, ensuring consistent safety standards are maintained across all states and territories within Australia. The scope of these regulations extends to the specified models of Fokker F28 aeroplanes, ensuring that these aircraft meet the necessary safety standards through prescribed modifications.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This legislation includes AD/F28/11, which pertains to Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on modifications to the landing gear and NK control systems. The directive applies to Fokker F28 aircraft with specific serial numbers (11003 to 11024 and 11991 to 11993) and requires compliance with documented standards in Fokker SB F28/32-33, Paragraph 2, Parts II and III. Compliance with this directive must be achieved before 30 April 1971. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, operators and owners of Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes within the specified serial number range must adhere to the requirements set out in AD/F28/11. These requirements include implementing the necessary modifications to the landing gear and NK control systems as detailed in the Fokker Service Bulletin. Operators must ensure that these modifications are performed by appropriately qualified personnel and that all work is logged and certified in accordance with CASA's regulations. Furthermore, operators must maintain records of compliance with this directive, which may be subject to audit and inspection by CASA. Failure to comply with AD/F28/11 may result in significant legal and operational consequences. CASA has the authority to take enforcement action against non-compliant aircraft, which may include grounding the aircraft until the necessary modifications are completed. Additionally, operators found in breach of this directive may face administrative penalties, including fines, as well as potential civil or criminal liability. The exact penalties for non-compliance are not specified in the text, but they can be severe and may vary based on the circumstances and extent of the breach. Operators are therefore advised to ensure strict adherence to the directive to avoid these consequences.