AD/F50/63 - Control Panel Lighting Plates

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, include a schedule of airworthiness directives aimed at ensuring the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation was enacted by the Australian Government to address specific safety concerns related to aircraft operation and maintenance. One such directive, AD/F50/63, pertains to Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes, specifically addressing issues with control panel lighting plates that may suffer from material stress, leading to internal short circuits and potential fire hazards in the cockpit. The directive requires compliance by 1 January 1995, in accordance with Fokker Service Bulletin F50-33-030 dated 15 September 1993, to mitigate these risks and ensure the safety of flight operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandates that certain Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes adhere to specific airworthiness directives. The directive AD/F50/63 pertains to Fokker F50 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 20103 to 20231 inclusive, provided they are equipped with specified Electrical Power Control Panels or Fuel Control Panels. This legislation applies to operators of these aircraft and requires them to take action in compliance with Fokker Service Bulletin F50-33-030 dated 15 September 1993, to rectify issues related to the material stress on control panel lighting plates. The directive aims to prevent internal short circuits caused by stressed lighting plates, which could lead to burned spots, smoke, and noxious fumes in the cockpit. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with an enforcement deadline set prior to 1 January 1995.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, detail the requirements for airworthiness directives under the oversight of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Section AD/F50/63 pertains to Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes and mandates specific action concerning control panel lighting plates. The directive applies to model F27 Mk 050 aeroplanes with serial numbers between 20103 and 20231 inclusive, provided they are equipped with certain Electrical Power Control Panels and Fuel Control Panels. The directive requires that these aeroplanes must adhere to Fokker Service Bulletin F50-33-030 dated 15 September 1993, which provides detailed instructions for addressing the identified issues with the lighting plates. Operators of the specified Fokker F50 series aeroplanes are obliged to ensure compliance with this airworthiness directive. This involves taking specific actions as outlined in the referenced Fokker Service Bulletin. The directive was issued in response to reports of material stress in the EL-Products Lighting Plates, which has led to internal short circuits, resulting in burned spots, smoke, and noxious fumes in the cockpit. Ensuring compliance prior to 1 January 1995 is mandatory to mitigate these risks. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/F50/63 may result in significant safety risks, potentially leading to electrical failures and compromised flight safety. The regulations underscore the importance of adhering to the specified timelines and actions to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. The consequences of non-compliance can include potential grounding of the aircraft, which could lead to operational disruptions and increased safety risks. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the excerpt, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in substantial fines and other enforcement actions by CASA.