AD/F50/13 - Accessory Bay Ventilation Air Outlet

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, address various safety concerns within the aviation industry, particularly under Part 39. One such regulation, AD/F50/13, pertains to Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes, specifically targeting issues related to the accessory bay ventilation air outlet. This directive was introduced to prevent the ingress of cold air, moisture, and rainwater, which can lead to ice accumulation on control cable systems, especially under high altitude, low outside air temperature, and high humidity conditions. The policy objective behind this regulation is to enhance the safety and reliability of civil aviation operations by mitigating potential hazards associated with the mentioned vulnerability. The legislation mandates compliance with Fokker S.B. F50-54-004, ensuring that the required actions are taken before the specified deadline of 31 May 1989.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the application of Airworthiness Directives, with AD/F50/13 focusing on the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to Fokker F50 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 20103 to 20108 and from 20110 to 20134 inclusive. The directive mandates compliance with Fokker Service Bulletin F50-54-004 to address issues related to cold air moisture and rainwater entering the aircraft via the ventilation air outlet. This entry has been known to cause ice buildup on control cable systems, particularly under conditions of high altitude, low outside air temperature, and high humidity. The directive necessitates action to be taken in accordance with the specified service bulletin and references RLD AD 89-021. Compliance is required prior to 31 May 1989, underscoring the urgency and importance of implementing the required modifications to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the affected Fokker F50 series aeroplanes.

Key Provisions

The main sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address the issuance of airworthiness directives for various aircraft, including the Fokker F50 series. In this context, AD/F50/13 (section 105.110) pertains to the accessory bay ventilation air outlet of Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 20103 to 20108 and 20110 to 20134 inclusive. The directive mandates actions in accordance with Fokker S.B. F50-54-004, referencing RLD AD 89-021. Compliance is required before 31 May 1989, given the risks of cold air moisture and rainwater entering the aircraft, which can lead to ice buildup on control cable systems, particularly under high altitude, low outside air temperature, and high humidity conditions. The obligations and requirements imposed by this airworthiness directive focus on the structural integrity and operational safety of the Fokker F50 series aeroplanes. Operators and owners of these aircraft must ensure that the accessory bay ventilation air outlet is modified as per Fokker S.B. F50-54-004. This involves implementing specific engineering solutions to prevent cold air and moisture from entering the aircraft, which could compromise control systems and overall flight safety. The directive also necessitates that these modifications be completed before the specified compliance date of 31 May 1989, to mitigate the risk of ice accumulation on critical control cables. Failure to comply with AD/F50/13 can result in serious civil and criminal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may impose penalties on operators and owners who do not adhere to the airworthiness directive. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the directive, non-compliance with CASA regulations can generally lead to fines, aircraft grounding, or other enforcement actions. The potential severity of these consequences underscores the importance of timely and proper adherence to the directive to ensure the continued safe operation of the Fokker F50 series aeroplanes.