AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/F50/84 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) Series Aeroplanes
AD/F50/84
Amdt 1
Fuel - Ventilation Float Valve & Sniffle Valve 13/2004
Applicability: Model F.27 Mk.050, 0502 and 0604 aeroplanes with serial numbers 20103 to 20204 and 20206 to 20212.
Requirement: 1. Replace Ventilation Float Valves Part Number (P/N) 29000 and P/N 29000-1 with improved units P/N 29000-3 in accordance with Part 2 of Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Services Service Bulletin (SB) F50-28-020 dated 15 April 2003 or SB F50-28-022 dated 23 August 2004 as is applicable.
2. Replace Sniffle Valves P/N 2770002-101 with P/N 2770002-103 in accordance with Part 2 of Accomplishment Instructions of Fokker Services SB F50-28-021.
3. No Ventilation Float Valves P/N 29000 or P/N 29000-1 or Sniffle Valves P/N 2770002-101 may be installed on any aircraft.
Later CAA NL approved revisions of the referenced service bulletins may be used in lieu of those detailed in the requirements section of this Directive.
Note: CAA NL AD 2003-090/2 and EASA Approval No 2004-10037 dated 30 September 2004 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1:
For P/N 29000 valves, remains unchanged as within 24 months after 17 September 2003.
For P/N 29000-1 valves, within 10 calender months from the effective date of this Directive.
For Requirement 2: Remains unchanged as; Within 10 months after 17 September 2003.
For Requirement 3: After the effective date of this Directive. This Amendment becomes effective on 23 December 2004.
Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) Series Aeroplanes
AD/F50/84 Amdt 1 (continued)
Background: Operators have reported four occurrences of fuel collector tank implosion caused by insufficient ventilation of the fuel tanks. It is thought that freezing (or failure) of both the ventilation float and sniffle valves are the reason for reduced ventilation. The intent of this Directive is to correct an unsafe condition by replacing both valves with those of an improved design.
Further testing has identified another ventilation float valve that has similar problems to those valve detailed in the original issue of this Directive.
The original issue of this Directive became effective on 15 September 2003.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 9 November 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 1 December 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) Series Aeroplanes to address safety concerns related to fuel tank ventilation. This AD, published as F2006B09915, was enacted in 2004 in response to reports of fuel collector tank implosions due to insufficient ventilation. The unsafe condition was identified as being caused by the failure or freezing of ventilation float valves and sniffle valves, which were subsequently replaced with improved designs to ensure adequate ventilation. The AD mandates that specific parts be replaced within stipulated timeframes, ensuring compliance with the CASA's safety standards. The policy objective of this AD is to mitigate the risk of fuel tank-related incidents, thereby enhancing the overall safety of Fokker F50 aircraft operations.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/F50/84 Amdt 1 issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies to Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) Series Aeroplanes with specific serial numbers, namely 20103 to 20204 and 20206 to 20212. This AD mandates certain corrective actions to address safety concerns related to the ventilation of fuel collector tanks, which have been linked to insufficient ventilation and subsequent tank implosions. The requirement involves replacing specific parts, namely Ventilation Float Valves Part Numbers 29000 and 29000-1 with improved units 29000-3, and Sniffle Valves Part Number 2770002-101 with 2770002-103. The directive stipulates compliance timelines, which vary depending on the valve type, with some actions needing to be completed within 24 months from a specified date and others within 10 calendar months from the effective date of the directive. Importantly, any installation of the older valve models after the directive’s effective date is prohibited. This AD has a national reach within the Commonwealth of Australia, as it is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies across the country. The directive was made effective on 23 December 2004, and operators must comply with the specified timelines to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/F50/84 Amdt 1, issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and effective from 23 December 2004, applies to Fokker F50 (F27 Mk 50) series aeroplanes with specific serial numbers. This AD mandates the replacement of certain ventilation float valves and sniffle valves to address an identified unsafe condition, namely the risk of fuel collector tank implosion due to insufficient ventilation of the fuel tanks. According to section (a) of the applicability clause, the directive applies to Model F.27 Mk.050, 0502, and 0604 aeroplanes with serial numbers ranging from 20103 to 20204 and 20206 to 20212. The requirement section specifies that ventilation float valves part numbers (P/N) 29000 and 29000-1 must be replaced with improved units P/N 29000-3, as per the Accomplishment Instructions in Fokker Services Service Bulletins (SB) F50-28-020 dated 15 April 2003 or SB F50-28-022 dated 23 August 2004, as applicable. Additionally, sniffle valves P/N 2770002-101 must be replaced with P/N 2770002-103, according to SB F50-28-021. Section (c) of the compliance clause states that no ventilation float valves P/N 29000 or P/N 29000-1 or sniffle valves P/N 2770002-101 can be installed on any aircraft after the effective date of this AD. The compliance timelines differ based on the valve type, with specific deadlines outlined for each requirement.
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties and entities it governs. Firstly, it mandates that operators of the specified Fokker F50 aircraft models must comply with the outlined requirements for replacing ventilation float and sniffle valves to mitigate the risk of fuel tank implosion. Secondly, operators must ensure adherence to the compliance deadlines for each valve type, which vary based on the specific part numbers and the date of the AD's effectiveness. Thirdly, operators must follow the instructions detailed in the referenced Fokker Services Service Bulletins or any later CAA NL approved revisions to carry out the required replacements correctly. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in the aircraft not meeting the required airworthiness standards, potentially leading to safety issues.
Failure to comply with the AD AD/F50/84 Amdt 1 may result in significant consequences. While the specific offences and penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives issued by CASA can generally lead to severe civil or criminal penalties. In terms of civil penalties, CASA may impose fines or take enforcement actions against operators who do not adhere to the AD requirements. Criminal penalties may also apply if non-compliance is deemed to have caused an unsafe condition or incident, potentially leading to prosecution and imprisonment. Additionally, non-compliance can result in the grounding of affected aircraft until the required actions are taken, impacting operational capabilities and potentially incurring further costs for the operators.