AD/F50/29 - Elevator and Tab Pulley Bracket - Frame 3100

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form a comprehensive framework governing civil aviation safety within the country. Among these regulations, Part 39 specifically addresses airworthiness directives to ensure that aircraft meet necessary safety standards. One such directive, AD/F50/29, pertains to Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) Series Aeroplanes, specifically targeting the elevator and tab pulley bracket on frame 3100. This directive was introduced to address the issue of insufficient fatigue life identified in the pulley bracket through rigorous fatigue testing. The directive mandates that affected aircraft, specifically those within serial numbers 20103 through 20108 and 20110 through 20152, must comply with Fokker Service Bulletin F50-27-017, dated 1 September 1989, to replace the bracket with a redesigned version before accumulating 15,000 flight cycles. This proactive measure aims to enhance the safety and reliability of the aircraft by mitigating potential structural failures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives, applies to Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes, targeting a precise range of serial numbers from 20103 through 20108 and 20110 through 20152. This regulation mandates compliance with Fokker Service Bulletin F50-27-017, dated 1 September 1989, which references RLD BLA 89-106, issued on 25 September 1989. The directive requires the replacement of the elevator and tab pulley bracket on frame 3100 before the aircraft accumulates 15,000 flight cycles due to identified fatigue issues in the original design. This ensures the airworthiness and safety of the specified Fokker F50 aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia. The scope of the Act is geographically confined to the Commonwealth jurisdiction, and the directive extends its reach through the specified subordinate service bulletins and BLAs.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). AD/F50/29 pertains to Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes and addresses the elevator and tab pulley bracket on frame 3100. This directive applies to F27 Mk 50 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 20103 through 20108 and 20110 through 20152 (Section 1). The requirement is to perform actions as detailed in Fokker Service Bulletin F50-27-017, dated 1 September 1989. This service bulletin, in turn, references RLD BLA 89-106, dated 25 September 1989 (Section 2). The compliance requirement stipulates that these actions must be undertaken before the aircraft accumulates 15,000 flight cycles (Section 3). This AD was issued due to fatigue tests on a test assembly of the pulley bracket, which revealed insufficient fatigue life, necessitating the replacement of the bracket with a redesigned one (Section 4). The obligations imposed by this AD are quite specific. Aircraft operators must ensure that the designated F27 Mk 50 aircraft within the specified serial number range comply with the action items outlined in the Fokker Service Bulletin F50-27-017. This involves replacing the elevator and tab pulley bracket with a redesigned one. The directive mandates that this action be taken before the aircraft reaches 15,000 flight cycles. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in the aircraft not meeting the necessary safety standards, potentially leading to operational issues or safety concerns. Violating the requirements set forth in AD/F50/29 can lead to various legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations impose strict penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Civil penalties can include substantial fines, with specific amounts varying based on the nature and severity of the violation. Additionally, failure to comply with ADs can result in the grounding of the aircraft, preventing it from operating until the required actions are completed. In severe cases, non-compliance may lead to criminal charges, with potential penalties including imprisonment, depending on the circumstances and the extent of the violation. The potential penalties for breaching AD/F50/29 are significant. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, individuals and corporations can face fines up to $222,200 for each offence if found guilty of non-compliance with airworthiness directives. For corporations, the maximum penalty can be even higher, reaching up to $1,111,000 per offence. Furthermore, in cases where the breach results in serious harm or endangers the safety of air navigation, the penalties can escalate substantially. The severity of the penalties underscores the importance of adhering to CASA directives to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety are maintained.