AD/F28/2 - Rudder Support Bracket Bearing - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, constitute a crucial legislative framework governing the safety and operational standards of civil aviation within the country. One specific legislative instrument, F2006B09756, pertains to the Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes, specifically addressing the rudder support bracket bearing. This instrument was introduced to ensure the safety of aircraft by mandating inspections and modifications to certain Fokker F28 models, thereby closing a safety gap identified in the original design. The policy objective behind these regulations is to enhance the safety and reliability of civil aviation operations by enforcing stringent maintenance and modification directives on specific aircraft components, ultimately protecting both passengers and crew.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to Airworthiness Directives (AD) concerning Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes, with a particular focus on rudder support bracket bearings. This legislative instrument applies to all Fokker F28 models with serial numbers 11003, 11004, 11006, 11008 to 11013, and 11016, provided they have not been modified according to Service Bulletin F28/27-9. The regulations set out mandatory inspection and, if necessary, modification requirements for the rudder support bracket bearing to ensure compliance with airworthiness standards. These regulations extend across the Commonwealth of Australia, applying uniformly regardless of state or territory boundaries. The scope of this legislation is explicitly stated, and any exclusions or exemptions are not mentioned within the provided text. Any further extension or restriction of the application may be detailed in subordinate instruments, which should be referred to for comprehensive understanding and compliance.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 and specifically Section 105, establish the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs). Section 105 AD/F28/2 mandates the inspection and modification of rudder support bracket bearings for Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes, specifically for all models with serial numbers 11003, 11004, 11006, 11008 to 11013, and 11016, which have not been modified according to Service Bulletin F28/27-9. The directive refers to Fokker Service Bulletin F28/55-3 for the detailed procedures. Operators and owners of the specified Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes must comply with the requirements set out in AD/F28/2. This includes conducting a thorough inspection of the rudder support bracket bearings to ensure they meet the specified safety standards. If the bearings do not meet these standards, operators must undertake the necessary modifications as detailed in Fokker Service Bulletin F28/55-3. Operators are also required to keep detailed records of the inspections and any modifications performed to demonstrate compliance with the directive. Failure to comply with AD/F28/2 may result in significant consequences. Section 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 imposes penalties for non-compliance, which can include fines and other civil penalties. In severe cases, non-compliance may lead to the grounding of the aircraft, potentially disrupting operations and incurring additional costs for the operator. Additionally, CASA has the authority to take enforcement action against operators who fail to comply with the directive, which could further impact their ability to operate the affected aircraft. The specific penalties are determined by the severity of the non-compliance and are outlined in relevant sections of the Civil Aviation Act 1988.