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/F50/48 RH Nacelle Aft Cone Fairing Fork-End Assemblies 10/91
Applicability: Serial numbers 20150, 20156, 20161, 20164, 20166, 20167, 20170, 20174 and 20175. Requirement: Action in accordance with the Technical Requirements of RLD AD 90-037, dated
12 April 1990.
Note: Fokker Service Bulletin F50-54-007, dated 28 March 1990 refers.
Compliance: Prior to exceeding 6000 flight cycles.
Background: The fork-end fittings that attach the RH nacelle aft cone fairing to the nacelle on aircraft equipped with an APU, have been found to have insufficient fatigue lives. This AD requires replacement of the fork-end fittings, with improved units.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the legislative instrument F2006B09875, was enacted to address safety concerns related to the fork-end fittings of the right-hand (RH) nacelle aft cone fairing on Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) Series aeroplanes. The problem this legislation aimed to resolve involved the insufficient fatigue lives of these fittings, which posed a risk to the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft, particularly those equipped with an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). The Australian Parliament enacted these regulations to ensure compliance with international safety standards and to mitigate potential hazards associated with these aircraft. The policy objective is to mandate the replacement of the fork-end fittings with improved units before the aircraft exceed 6000 flight cycles, as outlined in the Technical Requirements of RLD AD 90-037, dated 12 April 1990, and referenced by Fokker Service Bulletin F50-54-007, dated 28 March 1990.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically mandates the application of Airworthiness Directive AD/F50/48 concerning the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to Fokker F50 aircraft with specific serial numbers: 20150, 20156, 20161, 20164, 20166, 20167, 20170, 20174, and 20175. The directive necessitates compliance with the technical requirements outlined in RLD AD 90-037, dated 12 April 1990, which mandates the replacement of the right-hand nacelle aft cone fairing fork-end assemblies. This action must be completed prior to the aircraft exceeding 6000 flight cycles. The directive extends nationally across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all relevant aircraft within the specified serial numbers are subject to these safety measures. There are no exclusions or exemptions specified within this directive, meaning all applicable aircraft must comply with the outlined requirements.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that govern the maintenance and operation of certain aircraft. One such AD is AD/F50/48 (paragraph 10/91), which pertains to the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to aircraft with specific serial numbers (20150, 20156, 20161, 20164, 20166, 20167, 20170, 20174, and 20175). The main requirement of this AD is that the right-hand (RH) nacelle aft cone fairing fork-end assemblies must be replaced in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in RLD AD 90-037, dated 12 April 1990. A reference to Fokker Service Bulletin F50-54-007, dated 28 March 1990, is also provided to aid in the compliance process.
Operators of Fokker F50 series aeroplanes affected by this AD must ensure that the RH nacelle aft cone fairing fork-end assemblies are replaced before the aircraft exceeds 6,000 flight cycles. This requirement is crucial as the fork-end fittings have been found to have insufficient fatigue lives, which could potentially lead to structural failure during flight. Compliance with this AD involves replacing the fork-end fittings with improved units that have demonstrated longer fatigue lives. Operators must keep detailed records of the replacement process and ensure that all maintenance activities are carried out by appropriately certified personnel.
Failure to comply with AD/F50/48 may result in significant legal and safety consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement actions against operators who do not adhere to the requirements set out in the AD. Potential outcomes include fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of non-compliant aircraft. In severe cases, the continued operation of an aircraft that does not comply with AD/F50/48 could lead to criminal charges, with penalties that may include substantial fines and imprisonment for responsible individuals. It is therefore imperative that operators of Fokker F50 series aeroplanes take this AD seriously and ensure full compliance to maintain airworthiness and safety standards.