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/F50/39 Elevator Torque Tube Bearing Plate Bolts 2/91
DM
Applicability: F27 Mark 050 aircraft with S/Nos 20103 through 20184.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of Netherlands AD BLA 90-104.
Note: Fokker SB F50-55-004 refers.
Compliance: Prior to accumulating 500 hours time in service after revised date of 4 December 1990, or prior to revised date of 1 June 1991, whichever occurs first.
Background: Country of origin AD. It was found that, during production, bolts were tightened to a torque load that was too high. To prevent failure, replacement of bolts is required.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. One particular legislative instrument, F2006B09865, pertains to Airworthiness Directives and addresses specific maintenance requirements for certain aircraft models to mitigate safety risks. This particular instrument focuses on Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes, requiring the replacement of elevator torque tube bearing plate bolts to prevent potential failure due to over-tightened bolts during production. The objective of this directive is to enhance aircraft safety by ensuring compliance with technical requirements set by the Netherlands, thereby protecting both passengers and crew.
The instrument, AD/F50/39, applies to Fokker F27 Mark 050 aircraft with serial numbers 20103 through 20184 and mandates adherence to the technical specifications outlined in Netherlands AD BLA 90-104. The directive requires that the specified action be taken before the aircraft accumulates 500 hours of time in service after a revised date of 4 December 1990, or before 1 June 1991, whichever comes first. This proactive approach ensures that potential safety hazards are addressed promptly, maintaining the integrity and reliability of the aircraft in operation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure the safety of civil aviation operations. One such directive, AD/F50/39, pertains to Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes, specifically targeting aircraft with serial numbers between 20103 and 20184. This directive requires compliance with the technical requirements outlined in Netherlands AD BLA 90-104, as referenced in Fokker Service Bulletin F50-55-004, to address an issue identified during the production phase where bolts were over-torqued. The directive mandates that the specified action be taken either before the aircraft accumulates 500 hours of service time following the revised date of 4 December 1990, or before the revised date of 1 June 1991, whichever comes first, to prevent potential failures. This AD applies specifically to the mentioned Fokker F50 series aircraft within the specified serial number range, ensuring adherence to safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
The scope of this AD is confined to the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers, ensuring that only relevant aircraft are subject to the directive's requirements. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, as it is administered under the Commonwealth of Australia’s Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. No explicit exclusions or exemptions are noted within the text, suggesting that all applicable aircraft must comply with the stipulated safety measures. The directive extends its application through the specified subordinate instrument, Netherlands AD BLA 90-104, ensuring a standardised approach to addressing the identified safety concern.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, which include specific directives for various aircraft types. For the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes, one such directive is AD/F50/39, which pertains to the elevator torque tube bearing plate bolts (Section 2/91DM). This directive applies to F27 Mark 050 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 20103 through 20184. It mandates that the technical requirements outlined in the Netherlands AD BLA 90-104 be adhered to, with a reference to Fokker Service Bulletin F50-55-004 for further guidance.
This directive imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of the affected Fokker F50 aircraft. Primarily, they must ensure that the elevator torque tube bearing plate bolts are replaced or inspected in accordance with the stipulated technical requirements. This involves a detailed examination and possible replacement of the bolts to prevent potential failure due to over-tightening during production. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved either before the aircraft accumulates 500 hours of time in service following the revised date of 4 December 1990, or by the revised date of 1 June 1991, whichever comes first.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/F50/39 may lead to significant legal and safety consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, non-compliance with an airworthiness directive can result in serious regulatory action. This includes potential enforcement actions by CASA, which may range from fines to the suspension or revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate. Such actions can lead to the grounding of the aircraft, resulting in substantial operational disruptions and financial losses for the operator. The maximum penalties for non-compliance with these regulations can be severe, underscoring the importance of adhering to the directive's requirements.