COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
CFM International Turbine Engines - CFM56 Series
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CFM 56/15 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/CFM56/15
Amdt 1
Fuel Filter Cover Attachment Inspection 3/2000
Applicability: CFM International (CFMI) CFM56-3, -3B & -3C engines.
Requirement: 1. Inspect fuel filter cover attachment hardware in accordance with CFMI Service Bulletin CFM56-3 73-126 Revision 1.
Compliance with the original issue of this Directive satisfies Requirement 1.
2. Modify the engine driven fuel pump to provide improved filter cover retention in accordance with CFMI Service Bulletin CFM 56-3 73-A129.
Compliance with Requirement 2 constitutes terminating action for this Directive
Note: DGAC 98-245(B) R1 also refers.
Compliance: 1. Unless previously accomplished, no later than the next A check after the effective date of this Directive.
2. No later than 31 December 2004.
This Amendment becomes effective on 23 March 2000.
Background: The fuel filter cover is secured with six bolts torqued in helicoil inserts. Loose inserts have been discovered in two aircraft which have resulted in heavy fuel loss in flight.
This amendment requires modification of the engine driven pump to provide an improved fuel filter cover retention design.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 7 October 1999.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 12 February 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 23 February 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, govern aviation safety in the country. Part 39, in particular, addresses Airworthiness Directives to ensure the safety of aircraft in operation. In response to safety concerns regarding the CFM International CFM56 series turbine engines, an Airworthiness Directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to mandate specific inspections and modifications. The directive aims to rectify unsafe conditions identified in the fuel filter cover attachment hardware of these engines, which could lead to fuel loss during flight. The directive requires inspections and modifications to be carried out by a specified deadline to maintain airworthiness and prevent potential hazards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 106 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to the safety and operational standards of aircraft in Australia. This regulation applies to all entities involved in the maintenance, operation, and certification of aircraft within Australia, particularly focusing on the airworthiness of specific turbine engines, such as those produced by CFM International (CFMI). The directive mandates actions necessary to ensure the safe operation of aircraft equipped with CFM56 series engines. It applies geographically across the Commonwealth of Australia, meaning it covers all states and territories. The directive revokes previous AD/CFM 56/15 and introduces specific requirements for the inspection and modification of fuel filter cover attachments on CFM56-3, -3B, and -3C engines. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within specified timelines, ensuring that the safety concerns related to loose fuel filter cover attachments are addressed promptly. The directive does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, and its application extends to all relevant aircraft and entities unless otherwise specified by subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CFM56/15 Amendment 1 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for CFM International (CFMI) CFM56-3, -3B, and -3C engines (subsection 39.1(1)). This AD mandates certain actions to address an identified unsafe condition related to the fuel filter cover attachment hardware of these engines. The AD requires inspections and modifications to be carried out by the operators of these engines to ensure the safety of the aircraft they are installed in.
Operators of CFMI CFM56-3, -3B, and -3C engines must inspect the fuel filter cover attachment hardware in accordance with CFMI Service Bulletin CFM56-3 73-126 Revision 1 (Requirement 1). Additionally, they must modify the engine-driven fuel pump to improve the filter cover retention as per CFMI Service Bulletin CFM 56-3 73-A129 (Requirement 2). The AD specifies that compliance with the original issue of this Directive satisfies Requirement 1, and compliance with Requirement 2 constitutes the terminating action for this Directive. Operators must ensure these actions are completed by specific deadlines: the next A check after the effective date of the Directive and no later than 31 December 2004.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/CFM56/15 Amendment 1 may result in serious safety issues. The AD is designed to correct an identified unsafe condition where loose helicoil inserts in the fuel filter cover have caused heavy fuel loss in flight, posing a risk to aircraft safety. Non-compliance with these directives could potentially lead to severe consequences, including grounding of the affected aircraft until the required actions are undertaken. This could result in significant operational disruptions and financial losses for the operators, as well as safety risks to passengers and crew.
The AD also specifies maximum penalties for non-compliance with the regulations. While the exact penalties are not detailed in the text, it is understood that breaches of Civil Aviation Regulations can result in significant fines and other penalties. The severity of the penalty often depends on the nature and extent of the breach, as well as any resulting harm or risk to public safety. Therefore, operators are strongly advised to ensure full compliance with the AD to avoid any legal or safety repercussions.