AD/F28/64 - Cold-Bonded Lap Joint Rivets

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), include provisions under Part 39 - 105 to ensure the safety of aircraft operations in Australia. Specifically, Airworthiness Directive (AD) F28/64 addresses the issue of disbonding in cold-bonded lap joint rivets for Fokker F28 series aeroplanes. This directive was enacted to mitigate the risk of fatigue cracking caused by disbonding, ensuring the structural integrity of affected aircraft. The policy objective is to maintain and enhance the safety standards of Australian registered aircraft by mandating corrective actions in accordance with the technical requirements of the relevant regulatory directive. This legislative instrument targets Fokker F28 aircraft with specific serial numbers, requiring compliance with the specified technical requirements to replace critical rivets. The directive aims to ensure that identified safety issues are addressed promptly, thereby preventing potential in-flight failures and protecting the lives of passengers and crew. The revised effectivity date for Australian registered aircraft underscores the urgency and importance of this safety measure.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, pertain to the safety directives related to the airworthiness of aircraft. Within this regulatory framework, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued Airworthiness Directive AD/F28/64, which applies to Fokker F28 series aeroplanes with particular serial numbers, namely those ranging from 11003 to 11013 and from 11991 to 11992. This directive mandates compliance with the technical requirements outlined in RLD AD 90-126, with a specific effectivity date of 16 May 1991 for aircraft registered in Australia. The requirement stems from incidents of disbonding in cold-bonded longitudinal fuselage lap joints, which, if left unaddressed, could lead to fatigue cracking of rivet holes. To mitigate this risk, the directive requires the replacement of certain critical rivets with protruding head type rivets to ensure the aircraft's continued airworthiness. This directive is applicable to all operators of the specified Fokker F28 series aircraft within Australia, ensuring adherence to the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, include a directive pertaining to Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes (sections 5/91). This directive, AD/F28/64, concerns cold-bonded lap joint rivets and applies to the model F28 with serial numbers ranging from 11003 through 11013, and 11991 through 11992. The requirement for compliance is outlined in the technical specifications of RLD AD 90-126, with a noted reference to Fokker SB F28/53-109. Compliance must adhere to the specified requirements in the directive document, with a revised effectivity date of 16 May 1991 for aircraft registered in Australia. This legislation imposes several obligations on the operators of the affected Fokker F28 aircraft. Primarily, it mandates that critical rivets identified in the directive be replaced with protruding head type rivets to prevent fatigue cracking caused by disbonding of cold-bonded lap joints. Operators must ensure that the replacement action is carried out in accordance with the technical requirements stipulated in RLD AD 90-126, which includes detailed procedures for identifying and replacing the rivets. The directive also necessitates that compliance with these requirements be verified and documented, ensuring that the modifications are completed correctly and that the aircraft meet the necessary safety standards. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and the airworthiness directive can result in significant consequences. Operators who do not adhere to the requirements for replacing the cold-bonded lap joint rivets may face civil or criminal penalties. The exact nature and severity of these penalties are not detailed in the provided text, but generally, non-compliance with aviation safety regulations can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which may include fines, operational restrictions, or other regulatory measures. The potential penalties underscore the importance of adhering to these safety directives to maintain airworthiness and ensure the safety of all passengers and crew aboard the affected aircraft.