AD/F28/61 - Wings - Rear Spar Web Plate

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were introduced to address the need for stringent safety measures in the aviation industry. Among the various regulations, Part 39 - 105 specifically targets the issue of airworthiness directives for aircraft, ensuring that all aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to operate. One such directive, AD/F28/61, pertains to the Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes and mandates actions to be taken regarding the rear spar web plate to prevent potential structural failures. This directive aims to ensure the continued airworthiness of affected Fokker F28 aircraft by addressing the risk of cracks developing in the rear spar web plate, as identified by fatigue tests. The directive establishes specific compliance timelines based on the number of flight cycles the aircraft have accumulated, with the overarching objective of maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, reflect the Commonwealth's commitment to aviation safety and the systematic approach taken to mitigate risks associated with aircraft operations. The specific directive for the Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes highlights the detailed nature of the regulatory framework, ensuring that any potential safety issues are proactively addressed. The directive's requirement for action in accordance with Fokker F28 Service Bulletin F28/57-84, and the referenced RLD AD 89-46, underscores the importance of following manufacturer guidelines and recognised industry standards. By setting precise compliance dates based on the aircraft's flight cycles, the regulation aims to ensure that all affected Fokker F28 aircraft are maintained to the required safety standards, thereby protecting both the aircraft and its passengers.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all F28 aircraft with serial numbers 11003 to 11241 inclusive, 11991 and 11992. This regulation mandates actions to be taken in accordance with Fokker F28 Service Bulletin F28/57-84, with reference to RLD AD 89-46, to ensure compliance with airworthiness standards. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this regulation is the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive mandates specific timelines for compliance based on the number of flight cycles the aircraft has accumulated as of 7 April 1989. For aircraft that have not yet exceeded 35,000 flight cycles, compliance is required prior to exceeding this threshold. Aircraft exceeding different flight cycle milestones by 7 April 1989 have progressively earlier compliance deadlines: 30 September 1989 for those between 35,000 and 45,000 flight cycles, 30 June 1989 for those between 45,000 and 55,000 flight cycles, and 15 May 1989 for those exceeding 55,000 flight cycles. This regulation does not explicitly exclude any specific persons, entities, or conduct from its application but is focused on ensuring the structural integrity of the specified Fokker F28 aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, includes directive AD/F28/61 concerning Fokker F28 series aeroplanes (Section 1). This directive mandates action to be taken in accordance with Fokker F28 Service Bulletin F28/57-84, referencing RLD AD 89-46 (Section 2). The directive applies to all F28 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 11003 to 11241 inclusive, as well as serial numbers 11991 and 11992 (Section 3). The requirement is to address the potential for cracks in the rear spar web plate between STA 4790 and STA 5280, which have been identified through fatigue tests (Section 4). The Act imposes obligations on the owners and operators of the specified Fokker F28 aircraft to ensure that the required actions are carried out in compliance with the directive. Specifically, the aircraft must be inspected and repaired according to Fokker F28 Service Bulletin F28/57-84 before exceeding certain flight cycle milestones. For aircraft with less than 35,000 flight cycles, compliance must be achieved before exceeding this limit (Section 5). For aircraft that have already exceeded certain flight cycles as of 7 April 1989, the compliance deadlines are staggered, with aircraft exceeding 35,000 flight cycles needing compliance before 30 September 1989, those exceeding 45,000 flight cycles before 30 June 1989, and those exceeding 55,000 flight cycles before 15 May 1989 (Section 6). Failure to comply with the directive may result in legal consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with CASA airworthiness directives generally results in enforcement actions that could include fines, grounding of the aircraft, or other regulatory measures. Civil penalties can include substantial financial penalties, and criminal penalties may apply in cases of gross negligence or willful disregard of safety regulations (Section 7). Ensuring adherence to these directives is critical for maintaining airworthiness and ensuring the safety of flight operations.