COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes
AD/F28/55
Amdt 1
Generator Control Units 8/88 DM
Applicability: All models fitted with generator control units P/N 914F569-4, -5 and -6.
Requirement: 1. Replace all relays P/N 938D848-1 in accordance with Westinghouse service Bulletin 86-401 Revision 1.
2. Install spacer P/N 935A376-1 between all TO5 case style transistors and printed circuit board in accordance with Westinghouse service Bulletin 86-401 Revision 1.
Compliance: Requirement 1: Generator control panels fitted to Aircraft: Prior to 14 November 1988.
Generator control panels held as spares: Prior to fitment to an aircraft after 14 November 1988.
Requirement 2: Whenever any TO5 case style transistor is replaced.
Background: Based on data provided by Fokker and various F28 operators it has been determined that a serious reliability problem exists with these control panels. The nature of the problem is intermittent and cannot be detected during normal testing, and the possibility of multiple simultaneous failures cannot be discounted. Amendment 1 to this Directive is issued to clarify the applicability and requirement.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This legislative instrument, specifically Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes, addresses reliability concerns identified with certain generator control units. The problem this legislation targets is the intermittent failure of generator control panels, which can lead to significant safety risks if not properly addressed. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by mandating specific maintenance actions on the identified components of the Fokker F28 aircraft. The directive requires all relevant models to replace certain relays and install a specific spacer to mitigate the risk of intermittent failures, ensuring compliance with safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandate the issue of airworthiness directives for aircraft. One such directive, AD/F28/55 Amendment 1, applies to all Fokker F28 series aeroplanes equipped with generator control units with part numbers 914F569-4, -5, and -6. This regulation applies to both aircraft that were fitted with these control units prior to 14 November 1988 and to any spare generator control panels intended for fitment after that date. The directive also mandates compliance when any TO5 case style transistor is replaced. The directive aims to address a serious reliability issue with these control units that has been identified through data from Fokker and various operators of the F28. The nature of the problem is intermittent and undetectable through normal testing, with the possibility of multiple simultaneous failures. The directive's applicability and requirements are clarified through Amendment 1, which is intended to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of these aircraft within the Australian jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, mandate the airworthiness directives (AD) for Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes. AD/F28/55 Amendment 1, issued in 1988, pertains to generator control units for certain Fokker F28 models equipped with generator control units P/N 914F569-4, -5, and -6. This directive outlines the critical requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of these aircraft, particularly focusing on the replacement and installation of specific components.
The primary requirements of this directive include the replacement of all relays P/N 938D848-1 in accordance with Westinghouse service bulletin 86-401 Revision 1, and the installation of a spacer P/N 935A376-1 between all TO5 case style transistors and the printed circuit board, also as per the same service bulletin. The directive specifies compliance timelines: for Requirement 1, the replacement must be completed for generator control panels fitted to aircraft prior to 14 November 1988 and for generator control panels held as spares before they are fitted to an aircraft after that date. Requirement 2 must be fulfilled whenever any TO5 case style transistor is replaced.
Entities governed by this Act are required to ensure that all specified components are replaced and installed as per the directive to maintain compliance with airworthiness standards. This involves meticulous adherence to the timelines and procedures outlined in Westinghouse service bulletin 86-401 Revision 1. Non-compliance with these requirements can lead to serious safety implications, as the directive addresses a reliability issue that is intermittent and cannot be detected during routine testing, potentially leading to multiple simultaneous failures.
Failure to adhere to the requirements of this airworthiness directive can result in civil or criminal penalties. The severity of these penalties may include fines or imprisonment, depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance. Although specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the directive, the overarching legal framework under which these regulations operate provides for substantial sanctions to ensure rigorous compliance and the maintenance of high safety standards within the aviation industry.