AD/AL 250/2 - Compressor Front Bearing Thrust Washer and Spring - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) form a comprehensive framework governing the safety and operational standards within Australia's civil aviation industry. Specifically, Part 39 addresses airworthiness directives, which are regulatory measures aimed at ensuring the safe operation of aircraft. One such directive, AD/AL 250/2, pertains to the replacement of the compressor front bearing thrust washer and spring in Allison Turbine Engines - 250 Series. This directive was introduced to address the specific issue of ensuring the reliability and safety of these engine components following identified wear and degradation concerns. The directive was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), an agency established by the Commonwealth of Australia to enforce and monitor compliance with aviation safety regulations. The primary objective of AD/AL 250/2 is to mitigate potential risks associated with the compressor front bearing thrust washer and spring in Allison 250-C18 and 250-C18A engines, ensuring they meet the necessary safety standards before being reinstalled in aircraft following their next overhaul after 13 June 1968. This directive is part of a broader effort to maintain high safety standards in Australia's civil aviation sector.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, mandates the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which applies to all 250-C18 and 250-C18A engine compressors identified in Allison CEB No. 250 CEB-6. These directives aim to ensure that maintenance and operational standards are met to guarantee the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft in question. The regulation applies to any entity or individual operating such engines within the Commonwealth of Australia, encompassing all states and territories, thereby establishing a uniform safety standard across the nation. Compliance is required for engines undergoing their next overhaul after 13 June 1968, with the specified components, namely the compressor front bearing thrust washer and spring, being replaced as per the directives set forth in Allison CEB No. 250 CEB-6. This ensures that the regulatory requirements are adhered to rigorously, maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft involved.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 106, concern the Airworthiness Directives (ADs) related to Allison Turbine Engines - 250 Series (section 39.106). Section 39.106 mandates the replacement of the compressor front bearing thrust washer and spring in certain Allison engines to ensure ongoing airworthiness. This directive applies to all 250-C18 and 250-C18A engines as specified in Allison CEB No. 250 CEB-6 (section 39.106(1)). Compliance with these directives must be achieved before any aircraft with these engines undergoes its next overhaul following 13 June 1968 (section 39.106(2)). The obligations imposed by this Act require aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to strictly adhere to the outlined airworthiness directives. Specifically, they must ensure that the compressor front bearing thrust washer and spring in the specified Allison engines are replaced as mandated by Allison CEB No. 250 CEB-6. This directive necessitates meticulous documentation and verification that the replacement has been carried out before the next scheduled overhaul of the aircraft, post the specified date of 13 June 1968. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, thereby impacting its ability to operate legally. Failure to comply with the directives stipulated in section 39.106 can result in severe consequences. The Act imposes both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Civil penalties may include fines and other financial penalties, which can be substantial depending on the severity and frequency of the violations. Additionally, criminal penalties can be imposed, which may include imprisonment for individuals found guilty of breaches. The exact penalties are not specified in the text, but they are typically outlined in other sections of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 or related regulations. Ensuring adherence to these directives is crucial to avoid such legal repercussions.