AD/CT58/4 - Compressor Stator Vanes

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, were established to regulate civil aviation safety and to provide for the administration of civil aviation matters within Australia. A notable legislative instrument under this Act is F2006B08679, which addresses specific safety directives for turbine engines, such as the General Electric CT58 Series. This particular legislative instrument was introduced to address safety concerns related to compressor stator vanes in CT58-100-1 and CT58-110-1 engines, ensuring compliance with safety standards to prevent potential failures and ensure the continued airworthiness of these engines. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the enacting body, with a policy objective to maintain the highest possible level of safety in civil aviation through rigorous oversight and enforcement of airworthiness directives.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, pertains to Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies to all entities and individuals involved in the operation and maintenance of aircraft equipped with General Electric CT58 Series turbine engines. This particular Airworthiness Directive, AD/CT58/4, focuses on compressor stator vanes for CT58-100-1 and CT58-110-1 engines. The directive requires compliance before the engines are reinstalled in aircraft following their next complete overhaul after 8 March 1968. The regulation applies to the engines as detailed in General Electric SB (CT 58) 72-108 (CEB No. 180) and references AD/GE-T/8 for further information. The directive is binding on all relevant parties within the Commonwealth of Australia and enforces strict compliance to ensure safety standards in aviation operations.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, address the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for the General Electric CT58 Series Turbine Engines. One such directive, AD/CT58/4, pertains to the compressor stator vanes of the CT58-100-1 and CT58-110-1 engines (sections 1-4). This directive mandates that any compliance with the directive must occur before the engine is installed in an aircraft following its next complete overhaul after 8 March 1968. The directive references General Electric Service Bulletin (SB) CT 58) 72-108 (CEB No. 180), which serves as the compliance document. The obligations imposed by AD/CT58/4 require operators and owners of aircraft equipped with the specified CT58 Series engines to ensure that any compressor stator vanes installed post the next complete overhaul following the date mentioned are compliant with the directive. This includes conducting necessary inspections and, if required, replacing the stator vanes to meet the standards set forth in the referenced SB (section 5). It is crucial that these actions are documented and records maintained, as stipulated by the regulations. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/CT58/4 may result in civil and criminal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance, and non-compliance could lead to penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text provided, it is known that breaches of airworthiness directives can result in significant fines, and in severe cases, may lead to the grounding of aircraft or other enforcement actions (section 6). The maximum penalties for such breaches can be substantial, reflecting the importance of adhering to these safety directives in maintaining the safety and airworthiness of aircraft.