AD/AL 250/76 - Falcon Helicopters

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, addresses the safety of aviation operations and equipment within Australia. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, these regulations aim to ensure the highest standards of safety in civil aviation, and they are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The legislation fills a critical gap by providing regulatory oversight on the airworthiness of aircraft components, including engines, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The policy objective is to mitigate risks to public safety by mandating rigorous inspection and maintenance protocols for aircraft parts. This legislative instrument focuses on the Allison Turbine Engines - 250 Series, requiring the removal from service of engines and modules maintained and/or released by Falcon Helicopters Incorporated, following reports of significant defects. The directive was issued to address concerns raised by multiple Major Defect Reports, ensuring that engines are only returned to service after thorough inspection and verification of compliance with manufacturer standards.

Scope and Application

The legislative instrument F2006B02285, under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targets the Allison Model 250 engines and modules maintained and/or released by Falcon Helicopters Incorporated, Lee’s Summit, Missouri USA, Federal Aviation Administration Repair Station SY2R178L. This regulation applies to all such engines and modules, demanding their removal from service and stipulating that they can only be returned to service following a comprehensive disassembly and inspection process. The requirement mandates that these engines and modules must be inspected for compliance with Allison Engine Company published data, reflecting a stringent safety measure aimed at addressing specific concerns identified through a series of defect reports. This directive underscores the importance of ensuring airworthiness in civil aviation, particularly in response to reported failures and defects in the turbine engines maintained by the specified entity. The regulation is effective from 11 August 1995, and compliance is required within 10 hours of the engines being in service.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, establish various requirements and obligations related to aviation safety. One such directive is AD/AL 250/76 (paragraph 106) concerning Allison Turbine Engines - 250 Series. This directive mandates the removal from service of all Allison Model 250 engines and modules maintained or released by Falcon Helicopters Incorporated, a Federal Aviation Administration Repair Station located in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, USA (subsection 1). This requirement is in response to a series of defect reports, including a Major Defect Report, highlighting failures in engines released by this entity. In addition to removing the engines and modules from service, the directive specifies that any removed engines or modules may only be returned to service after undergoing a thorough disassembly and inspection (subsection 2). All parts of the engine and module must comply with the Allison Engine Company's published data to ensure airworthiness. This stringent compliance ensures that only engines meeting specific standards are returned to operational status. The directive became effective on 11 August 1995 and requires compliance within 10 hours’ time in service (subsection 3). Entities governed by this directive, specifically Falcon Helicopters Incorporated and any operators of Allison Model 250 engines, must adhere to the outlined requirements to ensure safety standards are met. This includes removing specified engines and modules from service and conducting the necessary inspections and disassembly as directed. Failure to comply with these requirements may lead to significant safety concerns and could result in non-compliance with aviation safety regulations. Violators of this directive face potential penalties, including civil and criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the directive itself, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can result in substantial fines and other legal repercussions. The exact penalties would be determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which has the authority to enforce compliance and take appropriate action against entities or individuals failing to meet the stipulated requirements.