AD/F50/10 - Outboard Nacelle Ventilation Air Inlets

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes guidelines for maintaining the airworthiness of various aircraft types. This legislative instrument was introduced to ensure that civil aircraft in Australia meet stringent safety standards, addressing issues such as ice build-up on cable systems that can compromise flight safety. The regulations are enacted by the Parliament of Australia and aim to safeguard the public by ensuring that all aircraft operating within Australian airspace are maintained to the highest safety standards. One specific Airworthiness Directive under these regulations, AD/F50/10, pertains to the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes, addressing the issue of ice build-up on outboard nacelle ventilation air inlets. This directive mandates actions in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F50-54-003 and references RLD AD 88-94. The requirement for compliance was set prior to 31 March 1989, responding to reports of ice build-up occurring at high altitudes, high humidity conditions, and low outside air temperatures, which could lead to significant safety risks.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to the Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies to aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia. This particular regulation, AD/F50/10, concerns Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) Series Aeroplanes, specifically those with serial numbers falling within the range of 20103 to 20108 and 20110 to 20128. The directive mandates compliance with Fokker Service Bulletin F50-54-003, which addresses issues related to ice build-up on cable systems, particularly under high altitude and high humidity conditions with low outside air temperature (OAT). Compliance with these directives is critical and must be achieved prior to 31 March 1989, ensuring that any necessary actions are taken to mitigate the risks associated with ice formation on these aircraft components. This regulation underscores CASA's commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards within the Australian civil aviation sector.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft models, among which is the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) Series Aeroplanes. The directive AD/F50/10 focuses on the outboard nacelle ventilation air inlets (Section 3/89DM). This directive applies to Fokker F50 aircraft with serial numbers (S/Nos) ranging from 20103 to 20108 and 20110 to 20128. The directive mandates that these aircraft must adhere to the actions specified in Fokker Service Bulletin F50-54-003, which addresses issues related to ice build-up on cable systems. The directive stipulates that compliance must be achieved before 31 March 1989. The requirement to follow Fokker SB F50-54-003 is crucial for ensuring that the aircraft are safe to operate, particularly in high-altitude and high-humidity conditions with low outside air temperatures (OAT), where ice build-up on cable systems has been reported. The directive references RLD AD 88-94, indicating a related previous directive that may provide additional context or background to the current directive. Entities and parties governed by this directive, including aircraft operators, maintenance service providers, and others involved in the operation and upkeep of the Fokker F50 series aircraft, must ensure strict adherence to the specified requirements. This involves implementing the actions detailed in the Fokker Service Bulletin F50-54-003 to mitigate the risk of ice build-up, which can potentially compromise the safety of the aircraft. Compliance with these directives is essential for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring safe operation. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and the specific directive AD/F50/10 can lead to significant legal and safety consequences. The Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations may impose penalties for non-compliance, including fines, operational restrictions, and potential criminal charges. The severity of the penalties depends on the nature and extent of the breach, but it is imperative that all governed parties take the directive seriously and ensure full compliance to avoid any adverse outcomes.