AD/CFM56/16 Amdt 1 - High Pressure Turbine Rotor - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, provides the legislative framework governing civil aviation in Australia. The legislation is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is responsible for ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation. A notable gap addressed by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 is the need for consistent and stringent airworthiness standards across the aviation industry to ensure the safety of passengers, crew, and the general public. This legislative instrument, F2006B08521, issued under Part 39 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, aims to maintain and enhance aviation safety by mandating specific airworthiness directives, including the requirement for a one-time eddy current inspection for cracks in the high-pressure turbine front rotating air seal of certain CFM International Turbine Engines. The policy objective is to prevent potential unsafe conditions that could compromise the integrity and performance of the aircraft engines, thereby safeguarding the public from aviation-related hazards.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/CFM56/16 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to CFM International (CFMI) CFM56-2, -3-B1, -3B-2, and -3C-1 series engines. This directive mandates that an eddy current inspection of the High Pressure Turbine front rotating air seal be performed in accordance with the procedures outlined in the relevant CFMI service bulletins. The inspection is necessary to address an identified unsafe condition and must be carried out under the specified circumstances and timeframes as detailed in the directive. This AD is a direct application of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under subregulation 39.1 (1), and its scope is limited to the designated engine models. The AD does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, but compliance is mandatory for the affected engines operating within Australian jurisdiction. The directive extends its application through subordinate instruments, such as the referenced service bulletins, which provide detailed instructions on the inspection procedures.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Airworthiness Directive AD/CFM56/16 Amendment 1 revolve around the applicability and requirements of the directive. Specifically, section (a) identifies the applicability of the directive to certain CFM International (CFMI) CFM56-2, -3-B1, -3B-2, and -3C-1 series engines. Section (b) specifies the requirement, which is to perform an eddy current inspection of the High Pressure Turbine front rotating air seal in accordance with the procedures outlined in CFMI service bulletins CFM56-2 SB 72-869 and CFM56-3/3B/3C SB 72-922, both dated November 12, 1999. These service bulletins provide the detailed procedures necessary for the inspection. The compliance section (c) mandates that the inspection be carried out at a specified time, as detailed in the Compliance Requirement contained in the CFMI service bulletin CFM56-3/3B/3C SB 72-922 dated November 12, 1999. The obligations imposed on the parties or entities governed by this directive are centred on ensuring that the specified inspections are performed accurately and in a timely manner. Operators and maintainers of aircraft equipped with the affected CFM56 series engines must adhere to the procedures outlined in the referenced service bulletins to carry out the eddy current inspection of the High Pressure Turbine front rotating air seal. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the aircraft not being deemed airworthy, thereby risking potential safety hazards. Regarding the consequences of non-compliance, the directive does not explicitly detail specific offences, penalties, or consequences within the text provided. However, non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives generally results in the aircraft not being certified as airworthy, which can lead to grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections and repairs are completed. Additionally, under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, breaches of regulations may result in civil penalties, including fines up to a certain maximum amount as prescribed by the Act. Criminal penalties may also apply in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct, potentially leading to imprisonment. The exact penalties would be determined by the court based on the severity and circumstances of the breach.