AD/F50/51 - Auto Feather Control Unit

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B09879, were enacted to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation within Australia. This particular regulation, part of the broader schedule of airworthiness directives, specifically addresses issues related to the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes. The legislation was introduced to address the problem of inadvertent auto feather incidents reported in F50 aircraft. The Australian Government, through the relevant civil aviation authorities, established this directive to ensure compliance with the technical requirements outlined in Netherlands AD BLA 91-134 dated 22 November 1991, thereby enhancing the safety standards of these aircraft. The policy objective is to mandate actions that align with international safety standards and mitigate risks associated with inadvertent auto feather incidents, ensuring the continued safe operation of Fokker F50 aircraft within Australian airspace.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which mandates the compliance of all Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes with the auto feather control unit requirements. This legislation applies to all F50 aircraft operating within the Australian jurisdiction and requires them to adhere to the technical specifications outlined in the Netherlands AD BLA 91-134 dated 22 November 1991. The directive is also referenced in Fokker SB F50-61-011 and Pratt and Whitney Canada SB No 21046. Compliance with these directives must be achieved by 30 September 1992. This regulatory requirement stems from reported incidents of inadvertent auto feather, necessitating stringent adherence to the specified safety standards to ensure operational safety and reliability of the aircraft in Australian airspace.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain provisions that mandate adherence to Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for certain aircraft types. Section AD/F50/51 pertains to the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes, addressing the Auto Feather Control Unit. This directive requires all F50 aircraft to comply with the technical requirements outlined in the Netherlands AD BLA 91-134 dated 22 November 1991. Additionally, it references Fokker Service Bulletin F50-61-011 and Pratt and Whitney Canada Service Bulletin No 21046 for further guidance. The compliance date for these requirements was set for 30 September 1992, following reports of inadvertent auto feather incidents. Entities governed by these regulations, such as aircraft operators and maintenance providers, must ensure their Fokker F50 aircraft meet the specified technical requirements. This includes implementing the necessary modifications or actions to the Auto Feather Control Unit as directed by the referenced service bulletins and the Netherlands AD. Operators must conduct a thorough review of their maintenance and operational procedures to guarantee compliance with the directive and the associated service bulletins. Any modifications or actions taken must be documented and maintained as part of the aircraft's maintenance records. Failure to comply with these provisions can lead to significant consequences. Section 98 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 imposes penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. The penalties can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the breach. For individuals, the maximum penalty can be up to $126,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both. For bodies corporate, the penalties can be significantly higher, reaching up to $630,000 for serious breaches. These provisions underscore the importance of adhering to the mandated airworthiness directives to ensure the safety and compliance of the Fokker F50 aircraft in Australian airspace.