AD/F50/78 Amdt 1 - Outer Wing Stringer-to-Rib Connections

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, establish the regulatory framework governing civil aviation safety in Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 focuses on airworthiness directives, which are legally enforceable rules relating to the design, production, maintenance, and operation of aircraft. The legislation aims to ensure that civil aviation operations in Australia meet the highest safety standards. One such airworthiness directive, AD/F50/78 Amendment 1, pertains to Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes, addressing the issue of loose connections between the outer wing stringers and ribs. This directive mandates the inspection and modification of affected aircraft to prevent potential structural failures that could compromise flight safety. The policy objective of this directive is to enhance the airworthiness of Fokker F50 series aircraft by rectifying identified structural deficiencies, thereby ensuring continued compliance with safety standards and protecting the interests of passengers, crew, and the public.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 20103 to 20298. This legislation mandates the inspection and modification of the outer wing stringer-to-rib connections to ensure airworthiness. The directive applies to all model F.27 Mk.050 and 0502 aircraft within the specified serial number range, requiring adherence to the requirements outlined in RLD AD 1998-023/2, with reference to Fokker Service Bulletin F50-57-019. Compliance with these directives must be met at specific inspection and modification times as detailed in the requirement document. The amendment became effective on 25 March 1999, following an initial directive effective from 21 May 1998. This regulation is a Commonwealth initiative, ensuring that the specified aircraft meet stringent safety standards to prevent issues such as reduced static buckling strength, fretting of the stringer, and potential fatigue cracking of the stringer and skin.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include a schedule of airworthiness directives that apply to various aircraft models, including the Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes. One such directive, AD/F50/78 Amendment 1, pertains to the outer wing stringer-to-rib connections (Section 1). This directive applies to Model F.27 Mk.050 and 0502 aircraft with serial numbers ranging from 20103 to 20298 (Section 2). The directive mandates an inspection and modification of the connections between the outer wing stringers and ribs, in accordance with RLD AD 1998-023/2, and references Fokker Service Bulletin F50-57-019 for further details (Section 3). Compliance with these requirements must be met at specific inspection thresholds and modification times outlined in the Requirement Document (Section 4). The amendment became effective on 25 March 1999 (Section 5). Entities governed by this directive are required to ensure that the specified inspections and modifications are carried out on the applicable Fokker F50 aircraft. This includes adhering to the timelines and procedures detailed in the Requirement Document, as well as following the guidelines set out in the referenced RLD AD and service bulletin. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in non-compliance with airworthiness standards, potentially leading to safety issues and regulatory penalties. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose several obligations on the parties and entities it governs. Firstly, they must ensure that all applicable aircraft are inspected and modified as required by the airworthiness directives. This includes performing inspections at the specified times and making any necessary modifications to the outer wing stringer-to-rib connections. Secondly, entities must maintain accurate records of all inspections and modifications performed, as well as any associated documentation, such as service bulletins and requirement documents. Thirdly, they must ensure that all personnel involved in the inspection and modification process are adequately trained and qualified to perform these tasks. Failure to comply with the provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and the specific airworthiness directives, such as AD/F50/78 Amendment 1, can result in various civil and criminal consequences. In terms of civil consequences, non-compliance may lead to the suspension or revocation of an aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, which would prevent the aircraft from operating in Australian airspace. Additionally, entities found to be in breach of the regulations may be subject to fines or other monetary penalties. In more severe cases, individuals or organisations may face criminal charges, such as negligence or reckless conduct, which could result in imprisonment or substantial fines. The maximum penalties for breaches of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 are determined by the specific offence and the relevant state or territory legislation.