AD/F28/33 - Auxiliary Power Unit Exhaust - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Regulations 1998, incorporate specific safety directives designed to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. One such directive is AD/F28/33, which pertains to the inspection of the auxiliary power unit exhaust for Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers. This legislative instrument was introduced to address potential safety risks associated with the auxiliary power unit exhaust in these particular models, aiming to maintain the highest standards of airworthiness. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia, enacted these regulations to ensure compliance with safety standards, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public from potential hazards. The policy objective is to mandate regular inspections and maintenance actions to prevent any failures or malfunctions that could compromise the safety of flight operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) established the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which govern the safety and operation of civil aviation in Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 within this regulatory framework includes a schedule of airworthiness directives pertinent to various aircraft models, including the Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes. This directive, AD/F28/33, pertains to the inspection of the auxiliary power unit exhaust for Fokker F28 models with serial numbers ranging from 11003 to 11101 and 11991 to 11993, unless Service Bulletin F28/49-21 has been completed. This requirement is to be met in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in either Fokker Service Bulletin F28/49-24 or RLD AD A21/76. This regulation applies strictly to the specified Fokker F28 models, ensuring they meet safety standards necessary for airworthiness.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39, section 105, outline the authority and requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in issuing Airworthiness Directives (AD). The AD/F28/33 pertains to Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes, focusing on the inspection of the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) exhaust. This directive applies to all models with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 11003 to 11101 and 11991 to 11993, unless Service Bulletin F28/49-21 has already been completed. Compliance with this directive is to be achieved by following the detailed instructions provided in Fokker Service Bulletin F28/49-24 or the referenced RLD AD A21/76. The primary obligation imposed by this regulation is that the specified Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes must undergo an inspection of the APU exhaust as detailed in the designated compliance documents. These documents, Fokker SB F28/49-24 or RLD AD A21/76, provide explicit instructions on how the inspection should be conducted, ensuring that the APU exhaust systems are checked for any signs of damage, wear, or potential safety hazards. The directive ensures that operators of these aircraft models are aware of and comply with these safety standards to maintain airworthiness. Failure to comply with the AD/F28/33 could result in severe civil or criminal consequences. The primary concern is the potential risk to flight safety posed by any unaddressed issues with the APU exhaust. While the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance with specific ADs, non-compliance with CASA directives generally can lead to enforcement actions, including fines, suspension, or revocation of air operator certificates. In addition, operators could face legal liabilities if an inspection failure leads to an aviation incident or accident. Ensuring adherence to the directive is, therefore, critical for maintaining operational safety and legal compliance.