AD/CT58/11 - Oil Cooler to Fuel Filter Hose

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by F2006B08669, was enacted to ensure the safety and reliability of aviation operations in Australia. This legislative instrument, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), targets specific issues identified in General Electric CT58 series turbine engines, particularly those related to oil cooler to fuel filter hoses manufactured before 1969. The policy objective of this regulation is to address known safety risks associated with these hoses, which could potentially lead to engine failure or other critical incidents. By setting forth clear applicability and compliance requirements, the legislation aims to mitigate risks and maintain high safety standards in civil aviation. The regulation applies to certain CT58-100 and CT58-140 series engines and their respective fuel hoses, mandating compliance with the specified directives to ensure continued airworthiness. CASA’s role is to enforce these directives to prevent potential safety hazards, thereby protecting both the aviation industry and the public. The overarching goal is to uphold stringent safety measures and operational reliability within Australia’s civil aviation sector.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which mandates compliance with certain safety regulations for aircraft engines. In this context, AD/CT58/11 focuses on General Electric CT58 Series turbine engines and addresses issues related to the oil cooler to fuel filter hose. The directive applies to CT58-100-2, 110-1, 110-2, 140-1, 140-1 Series A/L, and CT58-140-2 engines equipped with specific fuel hoses (P/N 37C300486 P101, P102, and P103) manufactured before 1969, as well as any such hoses that are held as spare parts. The geographical and jurisdictional reach of this legislation is national, as it applies to all aircraft within Australia, regulated by the Commonwealth of Australia under the Civil Aviation Regulations. Compliance with the directive is to be achieved in accordance with the requirements outlined in the General Electric SB (CT58) A73-69 or AD/GE-T/32 documents. This regulation is mandatory and does not currently specify exclusions or exemptions, although the potential for subordinate instruments to extend or restrict its application remains within the framework of the Civil Aviation Regulations.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in PART 39 - 106, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD) for General Electric Turbine Engines - CT58 Series. AD/CT58/11 pertains specifically to the Oil Cooler to Fuel Filter Hose, outlined in 9/85 (1). This directive applies to CT58-100-2, 110-1, 110-2, 140-1, 140-1 Series A/L, and CT58-140-2 engines that are equipped with fuel hoses P/N 37C300486 P101, P102 and P103 manufactured before 1969. It also encompasses all such fuel hoses that are maintained as spare parts and were manufactured prior to 1969 (2). Compliance with this directive is to be achieved by following the requirements as detailed in the General Electric Service Bulletin (SB) (CT58) A73-69, or AD/GE-T/32 (3). Under this regulation, the entities governed must ensure that the specified engines and fuel hoses meet the outlined airworthiness standards. This involves verifying the manufacturing date of the fuel hoses and taking corrective actions if any non-compliant hoses are in use. The directive mandates that any CT58 series engine with the specified fuel hoses manufactured before 1969 must be inspected and, if necessary, the hoses replaced or modified to comply with the latest safety standards. The requirement documents provide detailed instructions on how to achieve compliance, which must be strictly adhered to by the operators of these engines (4). Failure to comply with AD/CT58/11 can lead to significant consequences. Non-compliance may result in penalties or enforcement actions as outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations. While specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, under general aviation law, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to substantial fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of aircraft. Additionally, there could be criminal charges for operators who knowingly continue to use non-compliant parts, which may carry heavier penalties, including imprisonment (5). It is crucial for all parties involved to ensure strict adherence to these regulations to avoid legal repercussions and to maintain the highest safety standards in aviation operations.