AD/F28/46 - Aileron Control Cables - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended and administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This legislative instrument addresses gaps in airworthiness standards and maintenance practices by issuing directives to mitigate risks associated with aircraft operations. In this instance, the specific legislation F2006B09781 pertains to Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes and mandates aileron control cable inspections to prevent in-flight blockages, which were identified as a potential safety hazard following a reported incident. The objective of this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft by mandating regular inspections to avoid any possible malfunctions that could compromise flight safety. This directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which acts under the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The policy objective behind these regulations is to maintain high standards of safety and reliability in the operation of civil aircraft, ensuring the protection of passengers, crew, and the general public. By enforcing specific maintenance protocols and inspections, the regulations aim to preemptively address and mitigate any potential safety issues, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety within Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, address the safety and operational standards for aircraft within Australia, encompassing a broad range of aviation activities, including the mandatory compliance with Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). For Fokker F28 series aeroplanes, AD/F28/46 mandates an inspection of aileron control cables for all aircraft serial numbers 11003 and subsequent, directly impacting the aircraft's operational safety and compliance with civil aviation standards. This directive is grounded in the need to prevent in-flight incidents similar to a reported case of a blocked aileron control post-takeoff, as documented in Netherlands AD 82-41-27 and Fokker Alert Service Bulletin F28/27-A150. The legislation ensures that all relevant aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance providers adhere strictly to the specified inspection protocols, thereby maintaining the integrity and safety of the aircraft under Australian jurisdiction.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically section 105, includes detailed provisions regarding the maintenance and safety directives for specific aircraft models, such as the Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes. In this context, AD/F28/46 focuses on the inspection of aileron control cables for all F28 aeroplanes with serial numbers 11003 and onwards (105(1)). This directive ensures that the aileron control cables are regularly inspected to prevent blockages which could lead to critical safety issues, particularly post-takeoff. The directive references specific documents, including the Netherlands AD 82-41-27 and Fokker Alert Service Bulletin F28/27-A150, as the compliance guidelines and background information for the inspection requirement (105(2)-(3)). The obligations imposed by AD/F28/46 on the operators of Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes include conducting a thorough inspection of the aileron control cables as per the referenced documents. This inspection is not merely a cursory check but must follow the detailed procedures outlined in the Netherlands AD and the Fokker bulletin. Operators must ensure that the cables are free from any signs of wear, blockage, or damage that could compromise the aircraft's control capabilities. They must also keep records of each inspection performed and ensure that any identified issues are rectified promptly and in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines (105(4)-(5)). Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in AD/F28/46 can lead to significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, non-compliance with airworthiness directives is a serious offence. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to impose penalties for such breaches. The maximum penalty for non-compliance can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, prosecution leading to imprisonment. Additionally, operators found to be in breach of these regulations may face operational restrictions, including grounding of the affected aircraft until the compliance issues are resolved. Such actions not only protect the safety of the passengers and crew but also uphold the integrity and reliability of the aviation industry (105(6)-(8)).