Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, introduces a framework for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products within Australia. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), a delegate of the Commonwealth of Australia, enacts Airworthiness Directives (ADs) under subregulation 39.1 (1) to address identified safety concerns. AD/CF6/46, issued on 1 May 2002, is an example of such an AD aimed at addressing the problem of uncontained engine failures in General Electric CF6-80A, CF6-80C2, and CF6-80E1 series engines. This directive mandates additional inspections of critical life-limited components to prevent such failures, aligning with the CASA delegate's objective of enhancing flight safety by correcting identified unsafe conditions. The directive, which became effective on 13 June 2002, was gazetted on 22 May 2002, requiring operators to amend their maintenance schedules within 30 days of the directive's issuance.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive AD/CF6/46, issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, applies specifically to all General Electric CF6-80A, CF6-80C2, and CF6-80E1 series engines used in aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia. This directive mandates that operators amend their maintenance schedules to include mandatory inspections as outlined in the FAA Airworthiness Directive 2002-07-12. This requirement is intended to address and mitigate the risk of uncontained engine failures by ensuring critical life-limited components are inspected according to specified intervals. The AD becomes effective 30 days after its publication, which was on 13 June 2002, and it supersedes the earlier AD/CF6/42. This directive is a regulatory measure implemented by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the specified turbine engines operating within Australia’s airspace.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39, establish the framework for Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products. Section 106 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives includes detailed provisions for the creation and enforcement of ADs. Under section 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, the CASA delegate is empowered to issue ADs, as seen in the example provided. The AD mandates specific actions to be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product, such as the General Electric CF6 series engines, to correct any identified unsafe conditions. The AD specifies the applicability of the directive, the required actions, and the compliance timeline. The obligations imposed by the AD on the parties or entities it governs are stringent and precise. Operators of General Electric CF6-80A, CF6-80C2, and CF6-80E1 series engines must amend their engine inspection schedules to incorporate the mandatory inspections outlined in FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2002-07-12. This amendment must be reflected in the operator’s CASA-approved System of Maintenance. The directive is clear that these changes must be implemented within 30 days of the AD becoming effective. The requirement for adherence to the FAA AD 2002-07-12, which supersedes previous directives, ensures that the most current safety measures are applied. Breach of the AD may result in serious consequences, both civil and criminal. Non-compliance with the mandated inspections and schedule amendments can lead to penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The maximum penalties for breaches can include substantial fines and potential imprisonment. The severity of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the AD to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. CASA has the authority to enforce compliance, which may include audits, inspections, and legal action against non-compliant operators.