AD/CF6/13 - Accessory Compartment Fire Shields

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through the legislative instrument F2006B08457, focus on enhancing aviation safety by addressing specific issues related to aircraft maintenance and operations. This particular regulation, part of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, targets the installation of fire shields in the accessory compartments of General Electric CF6 Series turbine engines, specifically the CF6-80A Series. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, the regulation responds to an identified problem where an external fire in a CF6-80A engine, caused by a bearing failure, led to significant damage in the accessory compartment and subsequent fuel leakage. The policy objective is to ensure that such incidents are prevented by mandating the installation of fire shields as per the Federal Aviation Administration’s requirements, thereby enhancing the safety and reliability of these aircraft engines. The regulation stipulates that the fire shields must be installed in compliance with FAA AD 89-16-08 Paras(a) and (b) unless such installation has already been completed. The compliance deadline set for this requirement is before 27 October 1989, underscoring the urgency and importance of addressing this safety issue to protect both the aircraft and its passengers.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 106, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for ensuring the safety of civil aviation in Australia. One such directive, AD/CF6/13, pertains to the installation of accessory compartment fire shields on General Electric Turbine Engines of the CF6 Series, more precisely the CF6-80A Series. This directive applies to all aircraft operators who use engines of this series within Australia, ensuring that they adhere to safety standards to prevent fires originating from the accessory compartment. The requirement is to install fire shields in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 89-16-08 Paras (a) and (b), unless such installations have already been completed. The directive mandates compliance by 27 October 1989, following a documented event where an external fire on a CF6-80A engine led to substantial damage due to fuel leakage, highlighting the necessity for these safety measures. This regulation extends the application of the FAA’s safety directives within the Australian regulatory framework, reinforcing the safety of civil aviation operations in the country.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, includes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives that mandates safety measures for various aircraft components. In this case, AD/CF6/13 pertains to the installation of fire shields in the accessory compartments of General Electric Turbine Engines of the CF6 series, specifically the CF6-80A Series (s.106). This directive requires the installation of fire shields in accordance with FAA AD 89-16-08 Paragraphs (a) and (b) unless this has already been completed. The directive necessitates compliance before 27 October 1989. This requirement stems from an incident where an external fire, originating from the failure of a number 5R bearing, extended into the accessory compartment, leading to damage of fuel carrying lines and subsequent fuel leakage that sustained the fire (AD/CF6/13). The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators of CF6-80A series engines must ensure that fire shields are installed in the accessory compartments in compliance with the FAA's specified procedures. This means that if the installation has not been completed prior to the specified compliance date, operators must take immediate action to install the required fire shields. The directive leaves no room for interpretation; compliance is mandatory and non-negotiable to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. Failure to adhere to the requirements set forth in this directive can lead to serious consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can typically result in severe civil or criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. This may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges for operators or individuals responsible for ensuring compliance. The severity of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the directive to maintain the safety standards required by Australian and international aviation regulations.