COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) Series Aeroplanes
AD/F50/26
Amdt 1
Forward Passenger Door Frame to Torsion Box Connection
5/92
Applicability: Serial numbers 20103 - 20152 inclusive.
Requirement: 1. Inspect in accordance with Part 1 of Fokker SB F50-53-031, dated 23 July 1990.
Note: RLD AD(BLA) 90 - 089 refers.
2. For aircraft serial numbers 20103 and 20108 to 20152 inclusive, accomplish Part 2 of Fokker SB F50-53-031, dated 23 July 1990.
3. For aircraft serial numbers 20104 to 20107 inclusive:
(a) Accomplish SB F50-53-005.
Note: RLD AD (BLA) 89-58 refers.
(b) Accomplish Part 3 of Fokker SB F50-53-031.
Compliance: | For paragraph 1. | Prior to accomplishing paragraphs 2 or 3. |
| For paragraph 2. | Prior to accumulating 20 000 flight cycles. |
| For Paragraph 3. | Prior to accumulating 10 000 flight cycles |
Background: Full scale fatigue tests revealed cracks in frame 4110 near the connection to the upper torsion box above the forward passenger entrance door. The original issue of this Directive required the installation of a steel reinforcement plate. Subsequent fatigue tests revealed even this connection to have an insufficient fatigue life.
This amendment requires an additional reinforcement which should give the structure above the passenger door a crack-free life of 45 000 flight cycles.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, were enacted to establish and regulate the safety standards for civil aviation in Australia. These regulations were introduced to address the need for a comprehensive framework governing airworthiness, operational standards, licensing, and other critical areas to ensure the safety and efficiency of the aviation industry. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) with the policy objective of maintaining and enhancing the safety of civil aviation within Australia. The particular amendment AD/F50/26Amdt 1 pertains to Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) Series Aeroplanes, addressing a specific safety concern identified through fatigue tests, which revealed cracks in the forward passenger door frame to torsion box connection. This amendment aims to enhance the structural integrity of the affected Fokker F50 aircraft, thereby extending their operational safety and lifespan.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 and the Airworthiness Directives, apply to Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) Series Aeroplanes within the specified serial numbers range of 20103 to 20152. These regulations set forth safety requirements that must be adhered to by the operators and owners of these aircraft, ensuring they maintain airworthiness standards mandated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive's scope is limited to enhancing the structural integrity of the forward passenger door frame to torsion box connection, as identified through fatigue tests which revealed potential fatigue cracks. Compliance with these regulations is crucial for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft within the specified serial number range. The requirements include specific inspections and reinforcement actions to ensure that the structure can withstand the designated flight cycles without failure.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically within the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates certain actions for Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes, particularly those with serial numbers 20103 to 20152 inclusive (sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.3). These requirements focus on the inspection and reinforcement of the forward passenger door frame to torsion box connection to prevent structural failures due to fatigue.
For all affected aircraft, inspections must be carried out in accordance with Part 1 of Fokker SB F50-53-031, dated 23 July 1990. Aircraft with serial numbers 20103 and 20108 to 20152 inclusive must also complete Part 2 of the same service bulletin. Additionally, for aircraft with serial numbers 20104 to 20107 inclusive, it is necessary to complete SB F50-53-005 and Part 3 of Fokker SB F50-53-031. These requirements must be fulfilled before the aircraft accumulates 20,000 flight cycles for the former and 10,000 flight cycles for the latter.
The obligations imposed by these directives are stringent and revolve around the periodic inspection and reinforcement of specific structural components of the aircraft. Compliance is mandatory and must be achieved before the aircraft reaches the specified flight cycle thresholds. Failure to adhere to these requirements could lead to severe consequences, including the risk of structural failure during flight, which could endanger the safety of passengers and crew.
Failure to comply with the provisions of these Airworthiness Directives can result in significant legal and financial repercussions. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to take enforcement actions against operators who do not adhere to these safety directives. Such actions could include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory penalties. These directives are designed to ensure the ongoing airworthiness of the aircraft and to mitigate the risk of structural failure, thereby maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety.