COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
General Electric Turbine Engines - CF700 Series
AD/CF700/13 Aft Fan Rotor Blades 9/85
Applicability: All CF700 model engines fitted with aft fan rotor blades P/N 6002T57P01 with S/Nos. as detailed in SB (CF700) A72-124.
Document: 1. General Electric SB (CF700) A72-124; or FAA AD 75-05-13; or
AD/GE-T/31.
Compliance: 1. Blades with 400 hours or more total time in service on 30 July 1976. Inspect within 30 hours time in service and inspect every 400 hours time in service thereafter.
2. Blades with less than 400 hours total time in service on 30 July 1976. Inspect prior to the accumulation of 430 hours total time in service and inspect every 400 hours time in service thereafter.
3. Replace all blades confirmed as cracked prior to further flight.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, established under the authority of the Australian Parliament, are instrumental in ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations within Australia. One of the legislative instruments within this framework, F2006B08502, pertains specifically to the maintenance and safety directives for the General Electric Turbine Engines of the CF700 Series, particularly focusing on the aft fan rotor blades. This directive was enacted to address potential safety risks associated with the operation of these engines, ensuring that critical components are regularly inspected and maintained to prevent failures that could compromise flight safety. The policy objective behind this legislation is to maintain the highest safety standards for aircraft operations by mandating regular inspections and timely replacements of defective parts, thereby reducing the likelihood of in-flight failures and enhancing overall aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 106, pertains to directives regarding the airworthiness of aircraft engines, with the given legislative instrument focusing on General Electric Turbine Engines of the CF700 series. The scope of this directive applies to all CF700 model engines equipped with aft fan rotor blades bearing the part number 6002T57P01, and these must have specific serial numbers as outlined in SB (CF700) A72-124. This regulation is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is part of the overarching Commonwealth of Australia's regulatory framework. The directive provides specific instructions on the inspection and maintenance of the aft fan rotor blades, detailing the conditions based on the total hours of service the blades had accumulated by a particular date, which was 30 July 1976 in this instance. The regulation applies universally to all aircraft operating within Australia that are powered by the specified engines and blades, thereby extending its reach across the nation, irrespective of state or territory boundaries. The regulations also incorporate references to related documents from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and General Electric, indicating a broader alignment with international standards. The directive mandates inspections at certain intervals and requires immediate replacement of any blades found to be cracked, ensuring ongoing airworthiness and safety of the aircraft in operation.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR) govern various aspects of civil aviation in Australia, including the maintenance and safety of aircraft engines. Specifically, Part 39 - 106 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives includes AD/CF700/13, which pertains to General Electric Turbine Engines - CF700 Series aft fan rotor blades (sections 1 and 2). This directive outlines the requirements for inspecting and replacing specific blades to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of aircraft engines.
Under this directive, there are distinct requirements based on the number of hours the blades have been in service. For blades that have accumulated 400 hours or more by 30 July 1976, inspections are mandated within 30 hours of service time and subsequently every 400 hours of service time (section 1.1). Conversely, blades with less than 400 hours of service time by that date must be inspected before they reach 430 hours of total service time and then every 400 hours thereafter (section 1.2). These inspections are crucial to ensure the integrity of the blades and the overall safety of the aircraft operations.
Failure to comply with these inspection and replacement requirements can have significant consequences. If any blade is confirmed to be cracked, it must be replaced before the aircraft is flown again (section 1.3). Non-compliance with these directives can result in serious safety hazards, potentially leading to engine failure in flight. The regulations do not specify penalties, but violations could result in severe civil or criminal consequences, including fines, suspension of aircraft operation certificates, or other enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
In summary, AD/CF700/13 mandates regular inspections and replacements of specific blades in CF700 series engines to maintain safety standards. Non-compliance with these directives can lead to significant safety risks and potential enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. It is essential for aircraft operators and maintenance personnel to adhere to these requirements to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of aircraft under their care.