AD/AL 250/32 - Engine Fuel and Control, Electrical Harness - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. The specific legislative instrument referenced, F2006B02249, pertains to Airworthiness Directives for the Allison Turbine Engines - 250 Series, more precisely the Allison 250-C28B engines. This instrument was introduced to address a critical safety concern regarding engine fuel and control, specifically the electrical harness, which had the potential to affect the safe operation of the aircraft. The policy objective behind these regulations is to mandate compliance with safety standards to prevent any adverse events associated with the identified engine issues. Compliance with these directives is required before any further flight of affected engines post the issuance date of 8 January 1979, as stipulated in the document Allison 250-C28B CEB 73-2003.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, applies to all entities and persons involved in the operation of aircraft equipped with Allison Turbine Engines - 250 Series. This regulation mandates the replacement of the engine fuel and control, as well as the electrical harness, for all 250-C28B engines that were manufactured before serial number CAE 860053. The regulation is enforceable under the oversight of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and has a national reach throughout Australia, applying uniformly across all states and territories. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, with a stipulated deadline before further flight after 8 January 1979. The regulation is supplemented by the document Allison 250-C28B CEB 73-2003, which provides detailed guidelines and specifications for the required modifications. The scope of this regulation is specifically tailored to enhance the safety and reliability of the specified engines, ensuring they meet the necessary standards for continued operation within Australia’s airspace.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 106, mandate specific requirements for the airworthiness of Allison Turbine Engines - 250 Series, more specifically the 250-C28B engines (s. 39-106). The primary directive (AD/AL 250/32) concerns the engine fuel and control electrical harness, stipulating that these must be replaced before further flight can occur after 8 January 1979. The directive references the Allison 250-C28B CEB 73-2003 document as the basis for compliance. The regulation applies to all 250-C28B engines prior to serial number CAE 860053. Under these regulations, the entities or parties responsible for maintaining compliance with AD/AL 250/32 must ensure that the fuel and control electrical harness of the specified Allison engines are replaced before any subsequent flight. This requirement ensures that the engines meet the necessary safety standards as outlined in the referenced document. It is the responsibility of the aircraft owners or operators to verify that these modifications have been made and documented appropriately. Compliance must be achieved before the aircraft can legally continue to fly, making adherence to these directives a critical operational requirement. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/AL 250/32 could result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces these regulations, and non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. Specifically, the regulations outline that any breach of the airworthiness standards could result in substantial penalties. Although the exact financial penalties are not specified in the provided text, the severity of the consequences underscores the importance of strict compliance. The implications of non-compliance extend beyond financial penalties, as it also poses significant safety risks that could endanger lives. The seriousness of these directives is further emphasised by the potential for criminal charges in cases of gross negligence or deliberate non-compliance. Civil and criminal liability may apply, depending on the circumstances of the breach. Given the critical nature of engine airworthiness in aviation, CASA's strict enforcement of these regulations is paramount to maintaining safety standards across the industry.