COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Teledyne Continental Motors Piston Engines
AD/CON/77 Piston Pin Plug Wear 10/97
Applicability: Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) new and rebuilt model O-470 and IO-470 series engines with serial numbers as listed in Table 1 of TCM Critical Service Bulletin (CSB) No. CSB97-10; and
TCM model E-165, E-185, E-225, O-470 and IO-470 series engines, regardless of serial number, which have cylinder(s) with a part number and purchase date as listed in Table 2 of TCM CSB No. CSB97-10.
Note 1: Engines released prior to August 1996 and cylinders installed prior to August 1996 are not affected by the requirements of this directive.
Requirement: To prevent extreme side loading of the piston, and subsequent failure of the piston and engine, inspect applicable engines in accordance with TCM CSB No. CSB97-10.
Note 2: FAA Airworthiness Directive 97-15-01 refers.
Compliance: Within 10 hours time in service from 11 September 1997.
This airworthiness directive becomes effective on 11 September 1997.
Background: This directive has been issued to require the inspection of certain cylinders for evidence of abnormal piston pin plug wear. The requirement follows advice of a number of engines fitted with cylinders treated with a manganese phosphate coating have exhibited evidence of accelerated wear of the aluminium piston pin plugs. If not detected by regular oil analysis or inspection, piston pin plug wear may result in an increase in oil consumption and possible piston pin and engine failure.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, were introduced to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. A significant part of these regulations is found in Part 39, which deals with airworthiness directives, including the directive concerning Teledyne Continental Motors Piston Engines (AD/CON/77). This particular directive was introduced on 11 September 1997, aiming to address the issue of piston pin plug wear in certain Teledyne Continental Motors engines. The policy objective of this directive is to prevent extreme side loading of the piston, which could lead to catastrophic failure of the piston and engine, thus ensuring the continued safety of air travel. The directive requires the inspection of applicable engines to detect any abnormal wear of the piston pin plugs, a problem that has been linked to engines with cylinders installed before certain dates and treated with a specific coating.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, mandate that Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) piston engines meeting certain criteria are subject to an airworthiness directive concerning piston pin plug wear. This directive applies to TCM model O-470 and IO-470 series engines, both new and rebuilt, that fall within the serial numbers specified in TCM Critical Service Bulletin (CSB) No. CSB97-10. Furthermore, it extends to TCM engines of the E-165, E-185, E-225, O-470, and IO-470 series, irrespective of their serial numbers, if they have cylinders with part numbers and purchase dates listed in Table 2 of TCM CSB No. CSB97-10. Notably, engines released and cylinders installed before August 1996 are excluded from these requirements. The directive aims to prevent extreme side loading of the piston by requiring inspections to detect abnormal piston pin plug wear, a condition that could lead to piston and engine failure if unaddressed. Compliance with this directive is mandatory within 10 hours of engine service from 11 September 1997, aligning with the date the directive became effective.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, Subpart 106, concerning Teledyne Continental Motors Piston Engines, require inspections of specific TCM engines to prevent piston pin plug wear. The directive applies to new and rebuilt model O-470 and IO-470 series engines with certain serial numbers, as well as other TCM engines with specific cylinder part numbers and purchase dates. These requirements are detailed in Tables 1 and 2 of TCM Critical Service Bulletin No. CSB97-10 (section 39-106.01). The directive mandates that inspections be conducted to identify any abnormal wear of the piston pin plugs, which could lead to severe engine failure if left unaddressed (section 39-106.02).
The obligations imposed by this directive are primarily on the owners and operators of the affected Teledyne Continental Motors engines. They must ensure that the specified inspections are carried out within 10 hours of the engine’s time in service from 11 September 1997 (section 39-106.03). This directive became effective on 11 September 1997, meaning compliance is mandatory from that date. Failure to adhere to these inspection requirements could result in the engine being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding of the aircraft until the issue is resolved.
The consequences of non-compliance with these airworthiness directives can be severe. If an engine is found to have piston pin plug wear beyond acceptable limits, the engine may be deemed unsafe for operation, resulting in potential grounding of the aircraft. In terms of civil and criminal liabilities, the owner or operator may face penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which can include fines and imprisonment for serious breaches. The maximum penalties can vary but often include substantial financial penalties and potential jail time for individuals responsible for ensuring compliance. The specific penalties are determined by the severity of the breach and the discretion of the court.