Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, serve to regulate the safety and operation of civil aviation in Australia, addressing gaps in ensuring the airworthiness and safety of aircraft. One particular aspect of this legislation, detailed in Part 39 - 105, pertains to Airworthiness Directives for specific aircraft models, such as the Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes. This part of the regulation was introduced to ensure that aircraft meet the required safety standards, thus mitigating the risk of accidents due to structural deficiencies. The policy objective here is to mandate specific maintenance actions to address identified structural issues, ensuring the ongoing safety and airworthiness of the aircraft within the fleet. The regulation stipulates precise compliance timelines and actions for addressing structural issues, such as the requirement for inspection and repair of the main frame flap track beam support bracket at Wing Station 5280, to prevent potential hazards like fuel leakage and compromised structural integrity.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses Airworthiness Directives (AD) for the Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes, with a particular focus on the main frame flap track beam support bracket at wing station 5280. This directive applies to Fokker F28 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 11003 to 11241 inclusive, as well as 11991 and 11992. The requirement is for these aircraft to adhere to Fokker Service Bulletin F28-57-81, referencing RLD AD 88-030 from 10 October 1988. The directive mandates specific actions to address identified issues such as fuel leakage and structural deficiencies at the specified wing station. Compliance is contingent on the aircraft’s flight cycle and total time in service, necessitating action before reaching 20,000 flight cycles or 10,000 flight hours for aircraft with fewer than these metrics at the directive's issue date, and within 500 flight cycles for those exceeding these metrics on 6 October 1988. The regulatory framework ensures that specified Fokker F28 aeroplanes maintain airworthiness standards to prevent structural failure and ensure safe operations.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the compliance with Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. Under AD/F28/58, a directive for Fokker F28 series aeroplanes addresses structural integrity issues related to the main frame, specifically the flap track beam support bracket at Wing Station 5280. This directive applies to Fokker F28 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 11003 to 11241 inclusive, as well as serial numbers 11991 and 11992. The requirement is to implement the action as outlined in Fokker Service Bulletin F28-57-81, with reference to RLD AD 88-030. The directive imposes specific obligations on the parties and entities it governs. For aircraft with less than 20,000 flight cycles or 10,000 flight hours total time in service at the date of the directive (6 October 1988), the mandated action must be taken before the aircraft exceeds 20,000 flight cycles or 10,000 flight hours, whichever comes first. For aircraft that had already exceeded these flight cycle and hour thresholds at the date of the directive, the action must be taken within 500 flight cycles. These requirements ensure that any identified structural issues are addressed in a timely manner to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the AD/F28/58 can lead to significant civil and criminal consequences. The regulations stipulate penalties for non-compliance, which may include fines and other sanctions. The severity of the penalties reflects the critical nature of adhering to airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of passengers, crew, and the general public. The exact penalties are not specified within the directive but are governed by the broader regulatory framework under which the Civil Aviation Regulations operate.