COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
General Electric Turbine Engines - CT58 Series
AD/CT58/13 Stage 1 Turbine Wheels 9/85
Applicability: All CT58 engine models fitted with P/No. 4002T17P02 Stage 1 turbine wheels with the following S/Nos: 7753, 7761, 7762, 7767, 7768, 7783, 7799, 7803, 7811, 7815,
7817, 7819, 7820, 7823, 7824, 7828, 7839, 7845 and 7846.
Document: 1. General Electric SB (CT58) A72-159; or
2. FAA AD 81-02-02, Amendment 39-4004; or AD/GE-T/35A
Compliance: As detailed in requirement document No. 1.
Background: This Directive is raised in issue in order to add more Stage 1 turbine wheel S/Nos. to the affected listing and to reference the applicable FAA Airworthiness Directive.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. Part 39 of these regulations specifically addresses airworthiness directives, including AD/CT58/13 concerning General Electric Turbine Engines of the CT58 Series. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns and compliance issues associated with Stage 1 turbine wheels in specific CT58 engine models, thereby aiming to enhance overall aviation safety. The policy objective behind these regulations is to maintain and improve the safety standards in civil aviation by providing clear directives and compliance requirements for aircraft and engine manufacturers, operators, and maintenance providers.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) administers these regulations under the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The specific directive AD/CT58/13, pertaining to Stage 1 turbine wheels in certain CT58 engine models, was issued to ensure that affected engines meet necessary safety standards by referencing applicable service bulletins and airworthiness directives from other jurisdictions, such as the FAA. This approach helps to harmonise safety standards and streamline compliance efforts across international aviation sectors.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 106, applies to the maintenance and operation of aircraft in Australia, focusing on airworthiness and safety standards. This particular regulation, AD/CT58/13, pertains to the Stage 1 turbine wheels of General Electric CT58 Series turbine engines, which must comply with specified safety directives to ensure continued airworthiness. The regulation mandates compliance with the General Electric SB (CT58) A72-159, or the FAA AD 81-02-02, Amendment 39-4004; or AD/GE-T/35A, by requiring the identification and action on CT58 engine models equipped with certain Stage 1 turbine wheels identified by specific serial numbers. The scope of this legislation is directed towards operators and maintainers of aircraft using the affected turbine engines within the Australian jurisdiction, ensuring that these components meet the prescribed safety standards to mitigate any potential hazards. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions, and compliance is mandatory for the specified turbine wheel serial numbers.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 106, mandates the application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. In the case of General Electric CT58 Series turbine engines, AD/CT58/13 outlines the requirements for Stage 1 turbine wheels. Section 106(1) of the Regulations requires operators to comply with these directives, which are designed to address safety issues identified with certain components of the aircraft.
AD/CT58/13 pertains to CT58 engine models equipped with P/No. 4002T17P02 Stage 1 turbine wheels that fall within a specific serial number range, including serial numbers 7753 through 7846. The directive mandates that these turbine wheels must meet the specifications detailed in General Electric SB (CT58) A72-159 or FAA AD 81-02-02, Amendment 39-4004; or AD/GE-T/35A. Compliance with these documents ensures that the turbine wheels are safe for continued operation and that any known defects or risks are mitigated.
Operators of affected aircraft must ensure that the turbine wheels in question are inspected, repaired, or replaced as necessary to meet the requirements of the referenced documents. This may involve checking the serial numbers of the turbine wheels to confirm they are within the specified range and ensuring that any required modifications or replacements are performed by appropriately qualified personnel. Additionally, operators must keep detailed records of any actions taken in response to the directive to demonstrate compliance with the regulations.
Failure to comply with AD/CT58/13 can result in serious safety risks, including potential engine failure during flight, which could lead to accidents and endanger lives. Section 106(2) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 imposes strict obligations on operators to adhere to these directives to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. Non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can result in enforcement actions by CASA, including the imposition of fines, the grounding of non-compliant aircraft, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to an accident or serious incident. The maximum penalties for breaches of these regulations can be significant, reflecting the critical importance of adhering to safety directives.