COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Fokker F28 Series Aeroplanes
AD/F28/80
Amdt 1
Frame Station 10790 Coupling Fitting Bolts 13/97
Applicability: F28-1000 to -4000 Series, Serial Numbers 11003 to 11201, 11991 and 11992 with SB F28/53-125 installed.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the Instructions for Part 1 of Fokker F28 SB F28/53-143.
Note: Netherlands AD 1996-119(A) refers.
Compliance: Within 3000 flight cycles after 2 January 1996 or before 1 February 1998, whichever occurs first.
This Amendment becomes effective on 4 December 1997.
Background: A new coupling was introduced at SB F28/53-125 to replace the original 7079-T6 coupling which was subject to stress corrosion and consequent SIP inspection. It has been discovered that the torque values specified in SB F28/53-125 are below what is actually required. This directive is issued to ensure that the coupling bolts are torqued to the value specified in the requirement document.
This amendment corrects a misleading statement in the background, which referred to a steel coupling. The replacement coupling is made of 7075-T73. The compliance date has also been corrected.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 2 January 1996.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, form a comprehensive regulatory framework for civil aviation safety, aiming to ensure the highest standards of airworthiness and operational safety. Part 39, specifically, addresses various safety directives that must be followed by aircraft operators. The legislation includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) such as AD/F28/80 Amendment 1, which pertains to Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes. This directive was introduced to address a critical issue with the torque values specified for the coupling fitting bolts at frame station 10790, which were found to be insufficient, potentially leading to stress corrosion. The policy objective is to ensure the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft by mandating precise adherence to the specified torque values, thereby preventing any safety incidents that could arise from insufficient bolt tightening. The directive applies to Fokker F28-1000 to -4000 Series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers and requires compliance within 3000 flight cycles after 2 January 1996 or before 1 February 1998, whichever occurs first.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Fokker F28 Series aeroplanes, more precisely to those in the F28-1000 to -4000 series with specific serial numbers and installations, namely 11003 to 11201, 11991, and 11992, along with the Service Bulletin F28/53-125 installed. This legislation mandates actions that comply with the Instructions for Part 1 of Fokker F28 Service Bulletin F28/53-143, with the compliance date set within 3000 flight cycles following 2 January 1996 or before 1 February 1998, whichever comes first. This amendment, which became effective on 4 December 1997, addresses a prior issue concerning the torque values specified for the coupling bolts, ensuring they are torqued to the correct value to prevent stress corrosion and subsequent safety issues. The legislation reflects a national reach within Australia, governed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and is enforced to maintain airworthiness standards as dictated by the regulations.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this legislation are Sections 1 through 4 (AD/F28/80Amdt 1). Section 1 specifies the applicability of the directive, stating that it applies to Fokker F28-1000 to -4000 Series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers and which have installed the Service Bulletin F28/53-125 (Section 1). Section 2 outlines the requirement, which is that the action must be taken in accordance with the instructions for Part 1 of Fokker F28 Service Bulletin F28/53-143 (Section 2). Section 3 provides a note for reference, mentioning the Netherlands AD 1996-119(A) (Section 3). Lastly, Section 4 details the compliance deadline, which is within 3000 flight cycles after 2 January 1996 or before 1 February 1998, whichever occurs first (Section 4).
The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act on the parties or entities it governs are primarily centred around ensuring the structural integrity and safety of the specified Fokker F28 aeroplanes. Specifically, operators of these aeroplanes must adhere to the instructions in Fokker F28 Service Bulletin F28/53-143 to ensure that the coupling bolts at Frame Station 10790 are torqued to the correct value specified in the requirement document. This involves correcting any discrepancies in the torque values previously mentioned in the Service Bulletin F28/53-125, which were found to be below the required levels. The directive mandates that these corrective actions be completed within the stipulated timeframe to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft.
The legislation also includes provisions that address potential breaches of the directive. While the specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance are not detailed in the excerpt provided, it is implied that failure to adhere to the requirements could result in significant safety risks. These risks could potentially lead to legal and operational repercussions for the operators of the affected Fokker F28 aeroplanes. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance and may impose penalties or other sanctions on operators who fail to meet the directive's requirements. Such penalties could include fines, suspension of operations, or other regulatory actions deemed necessary to ensure compliance and maintain aviation safety standards.
In summary, this piece of legislation mandates specific actions for the maintenance and inspection of Fokker F28 aeroplanes to ensure their airworthiness. It imposes clear obligations on operators to adhere to the instructions in the relevant service bulletins and to complete these actions within a specified timeframe. While the exact consequences for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, it is evident that failure to comply could result in serious safety and regulatory issues.