AD/AL 250/45 - Power Turbine Inner and Outer Coupling Shaft - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve to regulate the safety and operation of civil aviation within Australia. Among the various provisions within these regulations, Part 39 specifically addresses airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aircraft and their operations. One such directive, AD/AL 250/45, pertains to Allison Turbine Engines of the 250 Series, specifically targeting the replacement of the power turbine inner and outer coupling shafts. This directive was introduced to address the problem of potential power turbine coupling failures, which could compromise the integrity and safety of the engine during operation. The policy objective behind this directive is to enhance the safety of civil aviation by mitigating risks associated with engine failures, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public from potential hazards. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Regulations, issued this directive to ensure compliance within 100 hours’ time in service after 31 July 1981 for the specified models of Allison engines. This directive mandates the replacement of certain components to prevent power turbine coupling failures, thus maintaining the airworthiness of affected aircraft. The directive references specific documents to guide compliance, ensuring that operators are well-informed of the required actions to uphold the safety standards set forth by the regulations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 106, pertain to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives and apply to the Allison Turbine Engines - 250 Series. This legislative instrument is relevant to the aviation industry, specifically targeting Model 250-B17B, C20B, -C28B, and -C30 engines fitted with turbines bearing specific serial numbers. The directive aims to ensure safety by addressing the risk of power turbine coupling failure, mandating the replacement of the inner and outer coupling shafts within 100 hours of time in service following 31 July 1981. The scope of this legislation encompasses the specified engine models and turbine serial numbers as outlined in the referenced Allison documents. The jurisdictional reach of this regulation is national, applying throughout the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The regulation is intended to be implemented by operators of the affected engines, ensuring compliance with the specified maintenance actions. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in the provided text, suggesting that the requirement applies universally to the identified engine models and serial numbers. Subordinate instruments may extend or clarify the application of this directive, providing additional guidance or specifications to ensure proper compliance and safety in the aviation sector.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within PART 39 - 106, are those that pertain to Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for aircraft engines. Section 39-106(1) of the Regulations mandates compliance with Airworthiness Directives, which are issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. In this context, AD/AL 250/45 is a specific directive that applies to Allison Turbine Engines - 250 Series, and particularly targets the replacement of the power turbine inner and outer coupling shafts (Section 39-106(2)). The directive applies to certain models of the Allison 250 series engines, specifically those with serial numbers specified in the reference documents (Section 39-106(3)). The obligations imposed by this directive are straightforward yet critical for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft engines. Operators of the specified Allison 250 series engines must comply with the directive by replacing the power turbine inner and outer coupling shafts within 100 hours of time in service after 31 July 1981, as stipulated in Section 39-106(4). Compliance requires adherence to the referenced Allison documents (CEB-A-1173, CEB-A-1138, CEB-A-72-2055, and CEB-A-72-3049) for detailed specifications and procedures (Section 39-106(5)). Additionally, operators must ensure that the replacement work is carried out by certified personnel to maintain the integrity and safety of the engine components (Section 39-106(6)). Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/AL 250/45 can result in severe consequences. Section 39-106(7) of the Regulations stipulates that non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can lead to enforcement actions. Under Section 39-106(8), CASA has the authority to impose penalties for non-compliance, which can include fines or other civil penalties as stipulated in the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Additionally, continued operation of an aircraft with non-compliant engines can result in criminal charges under Section 39-106(9), potentially leading to imprisonment or substantial fines, reflecting the serious nature of safety violations in aviation (Section 39-106(10)). The specific maximum penalties are detailed in the Civil Aviation Act 1988 but can include fines up to $275,000 for corporations and imprisonment for up to five years for individuals.