Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for civil aviation safety in Australia. One of the key components of these regulations is Part 39 - 105, which concerns Airworthiness Directives (ADs) aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft operations. The AD for Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes, specifically AD/F50/27, was introduced to address the problem of cracking discovered in the post link support bracket of the windshield on certain Fokker F50 aircraft. This AD was issued to mandate compliance with Fokker Service Bulletin F50-53-008, which outlines the necessary actions to replace the defective bracket with an improved one, to be carried out before the aircraft accumulates 20,000 flight cycles. This policy objective is to mitigate the risk of in-flight structural failure due to the identified defect, thereby enhancing the overall safety of the aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, applies to the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 20103 through 20108 and 20110 through 20135. This regulation is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and pertains to the windshield post link support bracket forward pressure bulkhead of the specified Fokker F50 aeroplanes. The directive mandates adherence to Fokker Service Bulletin F50-53-008, dated 26 July 1989, and references RLD AD BLA 89-83 for compliance purposes. The requirement is that any action be taken in accordance with the service bulletin to address the identified cracking issue in the specified bracket. Compliance with this Airworthiness Directive is mandatory before the aeroplanes accumulate 20,000 flight cycles. This regulation is intended to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the specified Fokker F50 aeroplanes by mitigating the risk associated with the discovered structural weakness.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, incorporates the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes AD/F50/27 concerning the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to serial numbers 20103 through 20108 and 20110 through 20135, and it mandates actions in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F50-53-008, dated 26 July 1989. The directive requires compliance with the specified action before the aircraft accumulates 20,000 flight cycles. This requirement stems from the discovery of cracking in the post link support bracket of the windshield, which necessitated a substitution with an improved bracket to ensure the aircraft's airworthiness. The AD/F50/27 places specific obligations on the operators and maintainers of the affected Fokker F50 aeroplanes. Operators must ensure that the windshield post link support bracket is inspected and, if necessary, replaced with an improved bracket as detailed in Fokker Service Bulletin F50-53-008. This action must be completed before the aircraft reaches 20,000 flight cycles. Compliance with the directive is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of the aircraft and ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew. The requirement is documented in the RLD AD BLA 89-83, which provides further guidance and details on the mandated actions. Failure to comply with AD/F50/27 may result in serious safety implications and legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose strict penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Operators who fail to adhere to the requirements of this directive may face substantial fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of their aircraft until the necessary actions are taken. The exact penalties are determined by CASA and can include both civil and criminal sanctions, depending on the severity of the breach and the associated risks. The regulations underscore the importance of timely compliance to prevent any compromise in aviation safety.