AD/AL 250/3 - Oil Filter By-Pass Valve Poppet Guide - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), particularly PART 39 - 106, was enacted to establish and maintain high standards of airworthiness for aircraft in Australia. This legislative instrument aims to address safety issues and ensure that all aircraft operating within Australian airspace meet stringent safety criteria. The enacting body, the Parliament of Australia, established these regulations under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth) to provide a comprehensive framework for regulating civil aviation activities, including the maintenance and operation of aircraft. The policy objective of this part of the regulation is to ensure that all aircraft and components meet airworthiness standards, thereby safeguarding public safety and maintaining the integrity of the civil aviation system. One specific legislative instrument under this regulation, AD/AL 250/3, pertains to Allison Turbine Engines of the 250 Series, focusing on the replacement of the Oil Filter By-Pass Valve Poppet Guide. This directive applies to all 250-C18 and 250-C18A engine gearboxes specified in Allison CEB No. 250 CEB-31 and mandates compliance before installation in an aircraft following the next overhaul completed after 13 June 1968. The objective is to mitigate potential safety hazards associated with the Oil Filter By-Pass Valve Poppet Guide, ensuring that these components are replaced to maintain the airworthiness and operational safety of the aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the airworthiness of aircraft and related components within Australia. The regulation applies to all 250-C18 and 250-C18A engine gearboxes as identified in Allison CEB No. 250 CEB-31. This regulation mandates that the oil filter by-pass valve poppet guide must be replaced before the engine undergoes its next overhaul after 13 June 1968. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia, and it is enforceable by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The regulation does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds within the text provided, and its application may be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments as necessary to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/AL 250/3, mandate the replacement of the oil filter by-pass valve poppet guide in Allison 250 Series turbine engines. Section 39-106 specifies that this applies to all 250-C18 and 250-C18A engine gearboxes detailed in Allison CEB No. 250 CEB-31 (paragraph 1). Compliance with these directives is required before the next overhaul of the engine after 13 June 1968 (paragraph 2). The document that outlines these requirements is Allison CEB No. 250 CEB-31 (paragraph 3). The Act imposes obligations on the parties or entities it governs to ensure that the specified maintenance actions are completed as required. This includes ensuring that the oil filter by-pass valve poppet guide is replaced in compliance with the directives. This mandate applies to all relevant Allison 250 Series engine gearboxes, and the compliance must be achieved before the next scheduled overhaul following the specified date (paragraph 4). The regulation also necessitates that the maintenance actions are properly documented and verified, ensuring that the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft are upheld (paragraph 5). For breaches of the provisions outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, there can be significant consequences. Under these regulations, failure to comply with the specified airworthiness directives can result in civil or criminal penalties. The exact nature and severity of these penalties may vary depending on the specifics of the breach and the regulatory authority's assessment. In the case of serious non-compliance, the maximum penalties could include substantial fines and, in some cases, imprisonment for individuals found guilty of criminal offences (paragraph 6). The precise penalties are detailed in other sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and are subject to the jurisdiction of the relevant aviation authorities (paragraph 7).