AD/CT58/2 - Centrifugal Filter "T" Bolt

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 106, includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, detailing requirements for the maintenance and operation of aircraft and their components. One such directive is AD/CT58/2, concerning the centrifugal filter "T" bolt for General Electric CT58 Series turbine engines, namely the CT58-100-1 and CT58-110-1 models. This directive, initially issued in 1985, was introduced to address safety concerns identified with the specified components of these engines. The directive mandates specific procedures and checks to ensure the continued airworthiness of these engines, thereby maintaining the safety and reliability of aircraft using them. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, reflecting the policy objective to ensure the highest standards of safety in civil aviation operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, applies to all entities involved in the operation, maintenance, and airworthiness management of civil aviation aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia. This includes operators, maintenance organisations, and any individuals responsible for the upkeep and compliance of aircraft engines, such as those of the CT58 series produced by General Electric. The scope of this regulation extends to mandating adherence to Airworthiness Directives, including AD/CT58/2, which pertains to the centrifugal filter "T" bolt for the CT58-100-1 and CT58-110-1 engines. This directive necessitates compliance with specified technical standards and documentation, such as General Electric CEB (CT 58) 73-41 or AD/GE-T/3A, to ensure the continued safe operation of these engines in Australian airspace. The regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions or thresholds but relies on subordinate instruments to define detailed compliance requirements and enforcement mechanisms.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, section 39-106, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives that govern the maintenance and operation of various aircraft components, including General Electric Turbine Engines of the CT58 series (sections 39-106(1) and 39-106(2)). One such directive, AD/CT58/2, pertains to the centrifugal filter "T" bolt of the CT58-100-1 and CT58-110-1 engines (section 39-106(3)). This directive requires specific maintenance actions to be undertaken to ensure the continued airworthiness of these engines, referencing the General Electric CEB (CT 58) 73-41 document or AD/GE-T/3A for detailed instructions (section 39-106(4)). Entities governed by the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 must comply with the airworthiness directives outlined in Part 39. For the CT58 series engines, this includes adhering to the specific maintenance requirements detailed in AD/CT58/2. This involves inspecting and potentially replacing the centrifugal filter "T" bolt as per the instructions provided in the referenced documents (sections 39-106(1) to 39-106(4)). Failure to comply with these directives can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding of the aircraft until the necessary maintenance is performed. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose serious consequences for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Breaches of the requirements set out in Part 39 can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Offences related to non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in civil penalties, which may include fines (section 39-106(5)). In more severe cases, persistent non-compliance could lead to criminal charges, with potential maximum penalties as prescribed by the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These penalties could include substantial fines and imprisonment, depending on the nature and severity of the breach (section 39-106(6)).