AD/ARRIEL/5 - Gas Generator Rear Bearing Oil Pipe

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to regulate the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia, and are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Part 39, which includes the Airworthiness Directive AD/ARRIEL/5, addresses specific safety concerns for turbomeca turbine engines of the Arriel series, particularly focusing on the modification of the gas generator rear bearing oil pipe. This directive was introduced to address the identified risk of an oil fire caused by the rupture of the gas generator oil pressure pipe, as evidenced by an inflight incident involving an SA 365 Dauphin. The policy objective is to enhance the safety of air travel by mitigating the risk of engine failure through the specified modification, thereby preventing potential hazards that could arise from such failures. This legislative instrument requires that the gas generator rear bearing oil pipe be modified according to Turbomeca's specifications, as outlined in Service No. 72-292-0088, and in compliance with Bureau Veritas Directive 86-147(B). The modification must be incorporated before the engine is installed in an aircraft and must be completed by 30 November 1986. The directive aims to ensure that all Arriel series engines meet the necessary safety standards to avoid catastrophic failures and protect both the aircraft and its occupants.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, with a particular focus on Turbomeca Turbine Engines of the Arriel series. This legislation applies to specific models of Arriel engines, namely the 1A, 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, and 1M, and mandates that they must incorporate the Turbomeca modification TU 144 in accordance with Turbomeca Service No. 72-292-0088 to address a potential failure that could lead to an oil fire. The requirement is that this modification must be implemented before the engine is installed in an aircraft and must be completed no later than 30 November 1986. This directive is reflective of Bureau Veritas Directive No. 86-147(B) and aims to enhance safety by preventing a rupture of the gas generator oil pressure pipe, as evidenced by an incident in an SA 365 Dauphin aircraft where an inflight oil fire occurred due to such a rupture. The legislation extends its reach across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring compliance with safety standards within the aviation industry.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106 (subsections 106.001 to 106.019), establish the legal framework for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft and their components. Section 106.013 (1) mandates the applicability of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) such as AD/ARRIEL/5 concerning the modification of the gas generator rear bearing oil pipe for Turbomeca Arriel Series engines. This section ensures that all relevant aircraft operators must adhere to the specified modifications to maintain safety standards. Section 106.017 (1) further clarifies that compliance with these ADs is necessary for the continued airworthiness of the aircraft and the safety of passengers and crew. The Act imposes specific obligations on the operators and maintainers of aircraft equipped with the affected Turbomeca Arriel Series engines. According to section 106.013 (2), these parties must incorporate the Turbomeca modification TU 144, as specified in Turbomeca Service No. 72-292-0088, before installing the engine in an aircraft. The compliance deadline is explicitly stated in section 106.017 (2), which mandates that the modification must be completed not later than 30 November 1986. Failure to meet this requirement will result in non-compliance with the regulations, potentially leading to grounding of the aircraft. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 also establish consequences for non-compliance with the Airworthiness Directives. Under section 106.019, operators who fail to adhere to the ADs can face civil or criminal penalties. While the exact penalties are not detailed in the specific AD/ARRIEL/5, general provisions under Part 39 of the Civil Aviation Act may include fines, suspension of air operator certificates, or other regulatory actions. These measures are designed to enforce compliance and ensure the highest standards of aviation safety are maintained.