AD/F50/23 - Elevator Control Rod Ends

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, encompass a variety of safety directives to ensure the integrity and reliability of aircraft operations within the country. One such directive is found in Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives. Specifically, AD/F50/23 addresses the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) Series Aeroplanes and mandates action concerning elevator control rod ends. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of jamming caused by the semi-octagonal section of the existing rod ends, which can catch and retain foreign objects. The primary policy objective of this regulation is to enhance flight safety by ensuring that the elevator control mechanisms remain functional and unjammed, thus preventing potential accidents arising from control failures. The regulation applies to F27 Mark 050 aircraft with specific serial numbers and requires compliance with Fokker Service Bulletin F50-27-006. This involves replacing the problematic rod ends with a design less prone to jamming, as referenced in the Related Legislative Direction AD BLA89-56. The directive necessitates that these changes be implemented at the next scheduled 3000 hours inspection following 5 October 1989, or before 31 March 1990, whichever comes first. This ensures timely rectification of the safety issue and upholds the high standards of aviation safety as overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to certain Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 20103 to 20108 and from 20110 to 20147. This regulatory requirement mandates action in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F50-27-006, referencing RLD AD BLA89-56, to ensure compliance with the directive. The compliance must be achieved at the next scheduled 3000 hours inspection following 5 October 1989, or prior to 31 March 1990, whichever date is earlier. The directive aims to address a safety issue where the current rod ends, having a semi-octagonal section, are prone to catching and retaining foreign objects, potentially resulting in jammed elevator controls. To mitigate this risk, the directive stipulates the replacement of these rod ends with ones that are less susceptible to jamming. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, as it is a Commonwealth regulation governing civil aviation safety across Australia.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives that govern the maintenance and safety of various aircraft models, including Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/F50/23, pertains to the elevator control rod ends of F27 Mark 050 aircraft with certain serial numbers (sections 10/89). This directive mandates that the action outlined in Fokker SB F50-27-006 must be undertaken (section 10/89). This requirement stems from an original country-specific airworthiness directive, RLD AD BLA89-56, which highlights a safety issue related to the rod ends potentially catching and retaining foreign objects, leading to elevator control jamming. Entities governed by these regulations must comply with the directive by replacing the rod ends during the next scheduled 3000-hour inspection after 5 October 1989 or before 31 March 1990, whichever is earlier (section 10/89). This ensures that the aircraft maintain the necessary safety standards and reduces the risk of elevator control failure due to jamming. Compliance with this directive is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of the specified Fokker F50 series aeroplanes. Failure to adhere to the requirements set out in the directive may result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose obligations on the operators of these aircraft to ensure that they comply with all relevant airworthiness directives. Non-compliance can lead to the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could result in grounding and potential legal action. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement action against non-compliant operators, which could include fines or other penalties. Additionally, operators who fail to comply with the airworthiness directives may face civil and criminal liabilities. For instance, if a failure to comply with AD/F50/23 leads to an incident or accident, those responsible could be subject to criminal charges under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The maximum penalties for such offences can include substantial fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach and its consequences. Ensuring adherence to these directives is therefore not only a regulatory requirement but also a critical safety measure to protect passengers and crew.