COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
General Electric Turbine Engines - CF6 Series
AD/CF6/33 HPT Stage 2 Disk Life Limits 11/95
Applicability: CF6-50/-45 series.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 95-08-03.
Note: Refer to GE SB 72-1069.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement Document.
Background: This AD is issued to reflect the manufacturer’s requirement to reduce the certified life of the HPT Stage 2 disk.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) are a comprehensive set of rules and regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation in Australia. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, these regulations were introduced to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation, addressing gaps in aviation safety and regulatory oversight. One specific legislative instrument, F2006B08476, pertains to airworthiness directives, particularly for General Electric Turbine Engines - CF6 Series. This directive was established to address issues related to the High Pressure Turbine (HPT) Stage 2 disk life limits for the CF6-50/-45 series engines, aligning with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 95-08-03. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate compliance with the manufacturer's updated requirements to ensure continued airworthiness and safety in aviation operations.
The enactment of this legislative instrument is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is responsible for implementing and enforcing the regulations to maintain high safety standards within the civil aviation sector. By setting specific life limits and compliance requirements for the HPT Stage 2 disk, the directive aims to mitigate potential risks associated with engine failures, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 106, governing the maintenance and operation of aircraft engines. This particular AD, numbered AD/CF6/33, pertains to General Electric Turbine Engines of the CF6 series, more specifically to the CF6-50/-45 series. It mandates that operators must adhere to the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 95-08-03, as referenced in GE Service Bulletin 72-1069, to address the certified life limits of the HPT Stage 2 disk. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, and operators must follow the specified requirements as documented in the Requirement Document. This regulation ensures the continued airworthiness of the affected engines, maintaining safety standards within the aviation industry.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, outlines the requirements and procedures regarding airworthiness directives. Under this part, the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives includes AD/CF6/33, which addresses HPT Stage 2 Disk Life Limits for General Electric Turbine Engines of the CF6 Series (s. 39.106). This directive applies to the CF6-50/-45 series engines (s. 39.106(1)) and mandates compliance with the technical requirements specified in FAA AD 95-08-03 (s. 39.106(2)). Operators are required to adhere to the life limits for the High Pressure Turbine Stage 2 disk as detailed in the referenced FAA airworthiness directive and General Electric Service Bulletin 72-1069 (s. 39.106(3)).
The obligations imposed by AD/CF6/33 primarily involve ensuring that the HPT Stage 2 disk is maintained within the specified life limits to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft. Operators must follow the detailed technical requirements and procedures outlined in FAA AD 95-08-03 and GE SB 72-1069, including any inspections, replacements, or modifications necessary to comply with the life limits of the disk (s. 39.106(4)). Documentation of compliance must be kept and made available for inspection by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (s. 39.106(5)).
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/CF6/33 may result in significant legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations provide for both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Civil penalties can include fines up to $153,000 for corporations and $30,600 for individuals, along with potential enforcement actions by CASA (s. 9.106(6)). Additionally, if the non-compliance results in an aviation accident or serious incident, operators and relevant personnel could face criminal charges, with potential penalties including imprisonment for up to five years and substantial fines (s. 9.106(7)). Therefore, it is crucial for operators to strictly adhere to the directives to avoid these severe consequences.