AD/F28/71 - Wing to Fuselage Skin Connection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety and airworthiness of aircraft in Australian airspace. Among the numerous directives under this regulation, AD/F28/71 targets Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes, focusing on the reinforcement of the connecting angles at the wing to fuselage skin connection. This legislative instrument was introduced to mitigate the risk of fatigue cracks in these aircraft, which could potentially compromise the structural integrity of the aeroplanes and pose a safety hazard during flight. The regulation was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and aims to ensure the ongoing safety of Fokker F28 aeroplanes by mandating specific modifications before a certain flight threshold or a fixed date, whichever is later. This directive is crucial in maintaining the safety standards required by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, mandate specific safety directives for the Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes, with serial numbers ranging from 11003 to 11161 inclusive, as well as 11991 and 11992. These regulations apply to aircraft operators, maintenance service providers, and any entity involved in the operation or maintenance of these specific Fokker F28 models. The directive requires the reinforcement of the connecting angles of the wings to the fuselage skin in accordance with the RLD AD 91-055, dated 14 June 1991, which eliminates the need for further inspection as outlined in the F28 Structural Integrity Program, Part 1, item 53-10-14 (AD F28/45). Compliance with this directive must be achieved before the aircraft reaches 30,000 flights or by 1 June 1997, whichever is later. These regulations extend throughout the Commonwealth of Australia and are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Subordinate instruments may further extend or clarify the application of these regulations.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish a comprehensive framework for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia. One such regulation, AD/F28/71, pertains to the Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes, focusing on the wing to fuselage skin connection (Section 1). This regulation applies to aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 11003 to 11161 inclusive, as well as serial numbers 11991 and 11992. The primary requirement under this directive is to reinforce the connecting angles in accordance with the RLD AD 91-055, dated 14 June 1991, referencing Fokker SB F28/53-101 (Section 2). This reinforcement is crucial to address fatigue cracks that have been reported in earlier models of the F28 connection angles, which can grow significantly between inspections. The obligations imposed by AD/F28/71 mandate that the specified Fokker F28 aircraft must undergo the necessary modifications to their wing to fuselage skin connection before reaching 30,000 flights or by 1 June 1997, whichever is later (Section 3). Compliance with these requirements ensures that the aircraft maintain their structural integrity and safety, as the reinforcement eliminates the need for further inspection under the F28 Structural Integrity Program, specifically Part 1, item 53-10-14 (AD F28/45) (Section 4). This directive underscores the importance of timely and effective modifications to prevent potential safety hazards. In the event of non-compliance with the requirements stipulated in AD/F28/71, there are potential civil and criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the text, it is implied that failure to adhere to these airworthiness directives could result in severe repercussions. Such non-compliance could lead to aircraft being deemed unfit for operation, resulting in substantial financial penalties and legal action. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce these regulations and may impose fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other enforcement actions against entities that fail to comply with the safety directives.