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/F50/58
Amdt 4
MLG Sliding Member Out-Stop Assembly 6/98
Applicability: All model F27 Mk 50 aircraft, all serial numbers, equipped with Dowty Aerospace MLG legs P/N 201017001, 201017002 and P/N 201020001 not incorporating Dowty Aerospace SB F50-32-27 R4.
Requirement: 1. Inspect all main landing gear legs for correct installation in accordance with Part A of Messier Dowty SB F50-32-48 R4 dated June 21, 1995.
Note: Fokker SB F50-32-025 dated September 23, 1992 also refers.
2. Inspect and measure the extension of each sliding member when the landing gear is fully extended in accordance with Part B of Messier Dowty SB F50-32-48 R4 dated June 21, 1995.
3. If while inspecting the MLG in accordance with Requirements (1) or (2) parts are found missing or damaged, action in accordance with Dowty Aerospace SB F50-32-27 R2 or SB F50-32-49, as applicable.
Note: MLG legs previously modified in accordance with Dowty Aerospace SB F50- 32-27 R2 and R3 are exempt from the inspections of Requirement 1 and 2 .
4. Modify main landing gear leg in accordance with Dowty Aerospace SB F50-32-27 R4 dated December 18, 1992.
Note: RLD AD 1996-159 (A) dated December 31, 1996, supersedes and cancels RLD AD 92-118/3 (A).
Compliance: 1. Unless previously carried out, within 30 days from 27 March 1997.
2. Unless previously carried out, within 30 days from 27 March 1997. Thereafter reinspect at intervals not exceeding 500 flight cycles until requirement 4 has been complied with.
3. Before further flight.
4. Unless previously carried out, within 5000 flight cycles or 30 calendar months, whichever occurs first, after 27 March 1997.
This Amendment becomes effective on 21 May 1998.
Background: A report was received of an accident during landing in which an F50 aircraft left the runway sideways and was severely damaged. This event has been attributed to a MLG sliding member inadvertently overextending and allowing the torque links to move to an overcentre position, with the subsequent failure of the torque link centre joint pin.
Amendment 1 was issued in response to a new RLD AD which advised that modification is now accepted as a terminating action for the current inspection.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Amendment 2 was issued to reflect the latest issue of the Requirement Document which list the affected MLG serial numbers, and introduces an alternative terminating action for an inspection requirement.
Amendment 3 was raised on receipt of RLD AD 1996-159 (A) dated December 31, 1996, which mandates terminating action.
This amendment being raised to rectify Service Bulletin numbers referred to in Amendment 3.
Amendment 3 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 27 March 1997 Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 31 March 1994. Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 4 April 1993.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 7 February 1993.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, PART 39 - 105 of these regulations includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) aimed at maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft. One such AD, F2006B09886, pertains to Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes and addresses a safety concern related to the main landing gear (MLG) system. This AD was introduced in response to an accident where an F50 aircraft experienced a severe damage incident during landing, attributed to the inadvertent overextension of an MLG sliding member. The objective of this AD is to mandate inspections and modifications to the MLG system to prevent such incidents, thereby enhancing the overall safety of the aircraft in operation. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and involves specific inspection and modification procedures that must be completed within prescribed timeframes.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, governs the applicability of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, including the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) Series Aeroplanes AD/F50/58 Amendment 4, which pertains to the MLG Sliding Member Out-Stop Assembly. This legislative instrument applies to all model F27 Mk 50 aircraft, irrespective of their serial numbers, provided they are equipped with specific Dowty Aerospace MLG legs. The requirement to inspect and modify these landing gear legs is critical to ensuring compliance with airworthiness standards. Aircraft that have already undergone modifications according to certain Service Bulletins are exempt from specific inspections, streamlining the compliance process for operators who have already taken corrective actions. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority exercising oversight across Australia to ensure adherence to these safety directives. The regulations are enforced through subordinate instruments, which may further specify the compliance timelines and inspection intervals, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of Fokker F50 aircraft operating within the Australian airspace.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, detail the airworthiness directives for Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) Series Aeroplanes, particularly focusing on the main landing gear (MLG) system. This directive applies to all model F27 Mk 50 aircraft equipped with certain Dowty Aerospace MLG legs (sections 201017001, 201017002, and 201020001). The primary requirement (section 1) is to inspect all MLG legs for correct installation, in accordance with Messier Dowty SB F50-32-48 R4 dated June 21, 1995. Additionally, the sliding member's extension must be inspected and measured when the landing gear is fully extended (section 2). If any parts are found missing or damaged during these inspections, the relevant Dowty Aerospace Service Bulletins (SB F50-32-27 R2 or SB F50-32-49) must be followed (section 3). Lastly, all affected MLG legs must be modified in accordance with Dowty Aerospace SB F50-32-27 R4 dated December 18, 1992 (section 4).
The obligations imposed by this directive are stringent and clearly defined. Operators of Fokker F50 aircraft must ensure that all MLG legs are correctly installed and measured as specified. If any parts are found missing or damaged during inspection, immediate action must be taken in line with the applicable service bulletins. Furthermore, operators must modify the MLG legs as required. These inspections and modifications must be conducted within specific timeframes: the initial inspection and modification must be carried out within 30 days from 27 March 1997 unless already completed. Subsequent re-inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 500 flight cycles until the modification is completed. Finally, the modification itself must be completed within 5000 flight cycles or 30 calendar months after 27 March 1997, whichever comes first.
Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement action against operators who do not adhere to the airworthiness directive. The penalties for non-compliance can include fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections and modifications are completed. The exact penalties are not specified in the text, but they can be substantial, reflecting the importance of adhering to these safety measures. Ensuring compliance with these directives is crucial to maintaining the airworthiness and safety of Fokker F50 aircraft.