AD/F28/42 Amdt 1 - Horizontal Stabiliser Hinge Bolt Retention - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through the legislative instrument F2006B09778, address specific safety concerns regarding Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes, particularly models with serial numbers within the specified range. This legislation was enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation by addressing a critical issue identified in the retention mechanism of the horizontal stabiliser hinge bolts. An incident involving an overseas operator where a horizontal stabiliser hinge bolt migrated after the loss of the retaining pin highlighted a significant safety risk. The primary objective of this amendment, introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, is to mandate inspections and modifications to the bolt retention system to prevent similar incidents in the future. This regulation aims to ensure that these aircraft remain airworthy and comply with stringent safety standards. The policy objective of this regulatory amendment is to enhance the safety of Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes by mandating specific inspections and modifications to the horizontal stabiliser hinge bolt retention system. By setting compliance deadlines, the regulation ensures that necessary actions are taken promptly to mitigate the identified risk. This targeted approach underscores the commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation and protecting both passengers and crew. The detailed requirements for inspection and modification are clearly outlined to provide operators with precise instructions on how to address and rectify the identified safety concern effectively.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This legislative instrument applies to all Fokker F28 series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers, namely those ranging from 11003 to 11145, 11147, 11150, 11151, 11991, and 11992. The regulations mandate that these aircraft must undergo inspection and modification of their horizontal stabiliser hinge bolts to ensure their retention is secure, in accordance with either RLD AD No. 79-89-55 or Fokker F28 SB No. F28/55-20 for inspection, and RLD AD No. 80-37-55 or Fokker SB No. F28/55-21 for modification. Compliance with these directives is required before certain dates: inspection must be completed before 1 June 1980, and modifications must be made before 1 November 1980. This directive was prompted by an incident where an overseas operator experienced the migration of a horizontal stabiliser hinge bolt after the loss of the retaining pin, leading to the implementation of this amendment to provide a backup for bolt retention. The regulations extend to national airspace and are applicable to all operators of the specified Fokker F28 models within Australia.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the inspection and modification of horizontal stabiliser hinge bolts on Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes with specific serial numbers (Section 1). The applicability of this directive is clear, covering all models F28 with serial numbers 11003 to 11145, 11147, 11150, 11151, 11991, and 11992. The requirement under this directive is twofold: firstly, to inspect the retention of the horizontal stabiliser hinge bolts in accordance with RLD AD No. 79-89-55, or Fokker F28 SB No. F28/55-20 (Section 2(1)); secondly, to modify the retention of these bolts in accordance with RLD AD No. 80-37-55, or Fokker SB No. F28/55-21 (Section 2(2)). The compliance deadlines are also specified, with inspections mandated before 1 June 1980, and modifications required before 1 November 1980 (Section 3). Entities governed by these regulations, such as aircraft operators and maintenance providers, must ensure that the inspections and modifications are conducted meticulously and in a timely manner. This involves using the specified inspection and modification guidelines, which are detailed in the referenced RLD ADs and Fokker SBs. The obligations include proper documentation of the inspections and modifications, ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Failure to comply with these obligations can result in serious safety risks, as evidenced by an overseas operator experiencing a migration of a horizontal stabiliser hinge bolt after the loss of the retaining pin. Breach of these requirements can lead to severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose penalties for non-compliance, which can include fines and other civil or criminal penalties as stipulated by the legislation. The exact penalties are not specified in the directive but can be significant, reflecting the importance of maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft. The directive itself stems from a safety concern where an overseas operator experienced a critical failure due to the loss of the retaining pin, highlighting the necessity for stringent compliance with these safety directives.