Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form a comprehensive legal framework governing civil aviation safety. Within this extensive regulatory scheme, Part 39 - 106 pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes specific safety mandates for various aircraft components and systems. One such directive, AD/CF6/6, was introduced to address the identified risk of stress risers in the first stage high pressure turbine discs of General Electric CF6 Series engines. This directive was necessitated by the potential for these stress risers to adversely affect the service life of the discs, prompting the requirement for their removal and inspection. The objective of this measure is to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of aircraft utilising these engines by mandating a specific compliance timeline based on the number of engine cycles since new.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 106 applies to all civil aviation operations within Australia, ensuring compliance with safety standards established by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Specifically, Airworthiness Directive AD/CF6/6 pertains to turbine engines of the CF6 Series, such as the CF6-45 and CF6-50, used in various aircraft. This directive mandates that first stage high pressure turbine discs identified by specific serial numbers must be removed from service and returned to the manufacturer, General Electric, for inspection of the forward and aft embossment radii. The requirement to comply with this directive is contingent on the engine's operational cycles, necessitating action before the disc reaches 5,500 cycles since it was new. This directive extends its reach based on the reference document FAA AD 86-12-03, Amendment 39-5311, and is a critical safety measure to mitigate potential risks associated with stress risers in the turbine discs. The application of this directive is inclusive of all operators utilising the specified engine models within Australia's airspace.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39, mandate actions concerning the airworthiness of General Electric Turbine Engines, specifically the CF6 series. Section 106, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, requires the removal of certain first stage high pressure turbine discs from service (Section 106 AD/CF6/6). These directives are applicable to CF6-45 and -50 series engines, as identified by serial numbers in General Electric Service Bulletin A72-859, Rev 1. The requirement outlined in Section 106 is to remove the specified discs from service and return them to the manufacturer for inspection of both the forward and aft embossment radii. This directive references FAA AD 86-12-03, Amendment 39-5311, and mandates compliance prior to 5,500 cycles from the time the disc is new. The obligations imposed by these regulations on the parties involved, including aircraft operators, maintenance providers, and the manufacturer, are quite stringent. Aircraft operators and maintenance providers must ensure that the specified turbine discs are removed from service in accordance with the directives. This involves identifying the affected discs, safely removing them from the engines, and arranging for their return to the manufacturer. The manufacturer, on the other hand, is responsible for inspecting the discs to verify the condition of the embossment radii and determining whether the discs can be returned to service or require further action. The regulations ensure that these obligations are met to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft. Breaches of these directives can lead to serious consequences, both civil and criminal. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to enforce these regulations and can impose penalties for non-compliance. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, individuals or corporations found in breach of these directives may face substantial fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The specific penalties are not detailed in the provided legislative instrument but can be substantial under aviation safety laws. Compliance with these directives is critical to avoid such consequences and to ensure the continued safety and airworthiness of the affected aircraft.