AD/CON/64 - Induction Elbow

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, form part of the legislative framework governing civil aviation in Australia, and specifically address airworthiness directives for aircraft and engines. One such directive, AD/CON/64, pertains to Teledyne Continental Motors Piston Engines, particularly those fitted with a P/N 629138 intake elbow tube. This directive was enacted to ensure the safety of all TSIO-520-J and N series engines by mandating the inspection and assembly of P/N 635930 flexible intake elbows in accordance with Continental Aircraft Engine Service Bulletin M78-5 Rev.3. This legislative instrument aims to maintain the airworthiness of affected engines by addressing identified safety concerns, thereby preventing potential in-flight failures. The directive was reissued following a review of all Continental Piston Engine Directives, reaffirming the relevance and effectiveness of the original FAA Airworthiness Directive 78-06-01. The enactment of this directive by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 ensures that Australian aviation standards align with international safety requirements, thus safeguarding both domestic and international air traffic.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives concerning Teledyne Continental Motors Piston Engines. This legislation applies to all TSIO-520-J and N series engines equipped with a P/N 629138 intake elbow tube, mandating that these engines must be inspected and assembled with P/N 635930 flexible intake elbows in accordance with Continental Aircraft Engine Service Bulletin M78-5 Rev.3. The directive aligns with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airworthiness Directive 78-06-01, which remains effective and relevant. The compliance requirement stipulates that these inspections and assemblies must occur at intervals not exceeding 110 hours of time in service, effective from 10 December 1992. The scope of this regulation is geographically and jurisdictionally comprehensive across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring safety standards are uniformly upheld across all aviation activities within its territory. There are no specific exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds mentioned within the directive itself, though the applicability of the Act may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly PART 39 - 106, imposes specific requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of Teledyne Continental Motors Piston Engines, specifically those of the TSIO-520-J and N series fitted with a P/N 629138 intake elbow tube. Under section AD/CON/64, these engines must be inspected and assembled with P/N 635930 flexible intake elbows in accordance with Continental Aircraft Engine Service Bulletin M78-5 Rev.3 (section 106.01). The applicability and compliance of these directives are mandated to ensure ongoing safety and functionality of the engines in service. These regulations impose clear obligations on operators and maintainers of the specified engines to adhere strictly to the outlined inspection and assembly procedures. This includes ensuring that any inspections and subsequent assembly work are carried out in line with the Continental Aircraft Engine Service Bulletin M78-5 Rev.3, as referenced in section 106.02. The requirement to comply with these directives is critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the engines and ensuring they meet the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Failure to comply with these directives can result in serious consequences. According to the regulations, non-compliance with the airworthiness directives can lead to civil or criminal penalties. While the exact penalties are not specified within the text, they can include fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections and assemblies are completed. The severity of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the stipulated procedures to maintain aviation safety standards.