Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia by setting stringent standards and requirements for aircraft and aviation operations. The regulations are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and are designed to address potential safety risks and ensure compliance with international aviation safety standards. One such regulation, AD/ALF/4, pertains to the inspection and replacement of components in AlliedSignal (Lycoming) Turbine Engines of the ALF 502 and LF507 Series. This directive was introduced to address reported engine failures and loss of power in specific Lycoming Turbo Fan Engine models, which were attributed to the separation of compressor vane airfoils and turbine blades. The policy objective behind this regulation is to mitigate the risk of engine failure by enforcing mandatory inspections and component replacements to enhance the overall safety and reliability of these aircraft engines.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates the inspection and replacement of components in AlliedSignal (Lycoming) turbine engines of the ALF502 and LF507 series. This applies to Lycoming Turbo Fan Engine Models ALF 502-L/L2 and ALF 502-R3/R4, and encompasses the aviation industry, including aircraft operators and maintenance providers. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of these regulations is national, as they apply across the Commonwealth of Australia. Compliance is required in accordance with the specified requirement documents, which include various Lycoming Service Bulletins and FAA AD 82-25-10 Amendment 39-4511. The regulations extend their application through referenced documents and amendments, ensuring that industry standards and safety directives are met to prevent incidents of engine failure and loss of power.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the AlliedSignal (Lycoming) Turbine Engines, models ALF 502 and LF 507 series (s. 1). This directive mandates that compressor vanes, turbine blades, and turbine nozzles of these engines be inspected and replaced as specified in the documents listed (s. 2). The directive applies to Lycoming Turbo Fan Engine Models ALF 502-L/L2 and ALF 502-R3/R4 (s. 3). Compliance is required in accordance with the referenced requirement documents, which include several revisions of the Avco Lycoming Service Bulletins (s. 4). Operators and owners of these engines must ensure that they follow the specific procedures and guidelines outlined in the relevant documents, which include Avco Lycoming SB ALF 502-72-0012, Rev. 2, SB ALF 502-72-0025, Rev. 1, SB ALF 502-72-0027, SB ALF 502-72-0021, and AD/LYC-T/21 (s. 5). The directive also references FAA AD 82-25-10 Amendment 39-4511 for additional compliance requirements (s. 6). The directive is dated 1/86, indicating that it was issued in January 1986 (s. 7). Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in serious safety issues, including engine failures and loss of power, which could lead to catastrophic outcomes (s. 8). The directive is a response to reports of engine failures and loss of power on ALF 502-L/L2 engines, particularly due to the separation of first stage compressor vane airfoils and fourth stage turbine blades, as well as non-contained fourth stage turbine blade failures (s. 9). The directive is designed to mitigate these risks by ensuring that the affected components are inspected and replaced as necessary (s. 10).