AD/F28/32 - Aileron Feel Trim Spring System - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This legislative instrument is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and was designed to address specific safety concerns within the aviation industry, such as ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft. One particular aspect of this legislation is found in Part 39 - 105, which concerns Airworthiness Directives (ADs). These directives are critical in maintaining the safety standards of aircraft by mandating specific actions or modifications in response to identified safety issues. The policy objective behind these regulations is to minimise the risk of accidents and incidents by enforcing compliance with safety directives and ensuring that aircraft remain airworthy throughout their operational life. For instance, Airworthiness Directive AD/F28/32 pertains to Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes, specifically targeting the aileron feel trim spring system. This directive applies to all models with specific serial numbers and requires inspections at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. Compliance with this directive is crucial to address identified safety issues and ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft. The overarching goal of such legislation is to maintain high safety standards within the civil aviation sector, protecting both the public and the aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, governs the applicability and enforcement of airworthiness directives in Australia, including the specific requirements for Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes. This regulation mandates that all Fokker F28 aircraft models with serial numbers ranging from 11003 to 11077 and 11991 to 11993 must comply with Airworthiness Directive AD/F28/32, which pertains to the inspection of the aileron feel trim spring system. Compliance with this directive necessitates inspections at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service, or until modifications are implemented in accordance with Service Bulletin No. F28/27-92. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of these regulations is national, as they are issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under Commonwealth legislation, thereby ensuring uniform safety standards across the entire country. The regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, implying that all specified aircraft must adhere to these directives without exception.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly under Part 39 - 105, contain a schedule of airworthiness directives that apply to specific aircraft models. Section AD/F28/32 pertains to Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the aileron feel trim spring system. This directive applies to models with serial numbers ranging from 11003 to 11077 and 11991 to 11993. The requirement here is for an inspection of the aileron feel trim spring system at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service. This interval is crucial for ensuring that any potential issues with the trim system are identified and rectified before they can affect flight safety. Operators of Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes within the specified serial number range must ensure compliance with the inspection directive outlined in AD/F28/32. This involves adhering to the intervals set forth, which are critical for maintaining the aircraft's airworthiness. The compliance document, Fokker SB F28/27-122, provides detailed guidance on the inspection procedures that must be followed. Failure to adhere to these inspection intervals and procedures could lead to the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which is a significant operational and safety concern. Failure to comply with the inspection requirements set out in AD/F28/32 may result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce these regulations, and non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions. Such actions might include grounding of the aircraft until the necessary inspections are conducted and any issues are resolved. Additionally, operators may face legal penalties, including fines, which can be substantial depending on the severity and frequency of the non-compliance. It is important for operators to maintain meticulous records of all inspections to demonstrate compliance and avoid potential penalties.