AD/DART/14 - Low Pressure Impeller - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 106, addresses the issue of ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft components through Airworthiness Directives (ADs). One such directive, AD/DART/14, targets the Rolls Royce Dart Series turbine engines, aiming to maintain safety standards by mandating inspections of the low-pressure impeller as per specific Rolls Royce Service Bulletins or other relevant ADs. This legislation was enacted to address the need for regular and standardised inspections to prevent mechanical failures in the Dart series engines, which could potentially compromise flight safety. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as the relevant regulatory body, established this directive with the policy objective of ensuring that all applicable Dart RDa-6 and RDa-7 series engines are inspected according to the specified requirements to maintain their airworthiness and the overall safety of civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, mandate the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for ensuring the safety of aircraft operations within Australia. Under this directive, AD/DART/14 pertains to the inspection of low-pressure impellers for all Rolls Royce Dart RDa-6 and RDa-7 series engines. This requirement applies universally to any aircraft equipped with these specific engine models, ensuring compliance with safety standards established by Rolls Royce. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must adhere to the specifications outlined in either Rolls Royce Service Bulletin SB Da 72-A445 Rev 5 or AD/RRT/27E. The directive extends its application nationwide, encompassing all aircraft operating within Australia, thereby enforcing a uniform safety standard across the aviation industry. Notably, the directive does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, meaning all applicable aircraft and engines must comply without exception. The broad applicability and mandatory compliance underscore the importance of maintaining the airworthiness of these engines to ensure safety in Australian airspace.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 106, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertaining to Rolls Royce Turbine Engines - Dart Series, identified as AD/DART/14, which mandates an inspection of the low pressure impeller. This AD applies to all Dart RDa-6 and RDa-7 series engines (Section 1). The directive stipulates two compliance options: either following the action outlined in Rolls Royce Service Bulletin (SB) Da 72-A445 Rev 5, or adhering to AD/RRT/27E (Section 1). Compliance with the directive is to be carried out as detailed in the respective Requirement Document. The obligations imposed by this AD are primarily on the operators and maintainers of the specified engines. These entities must ensure that the inspections and any necessary actions are conducted according to the directives provided by Rolls Royce SB Da 72-A445 Rev 5 or AD/RRT/27E. This includes performing the required inspections at the specified intervals and maintaining records of these inspections as per the documentation. The ultimate goal is to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the engines in question. Failure to comply with the AD/DART/14 could result in serious consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the AD itself, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include fines, suspension of operations, or other regulatory penalties. The severity of these penalties can vary based on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, and in severe cases, criminal charges may be pursued. It is imperative for operators and maintainers to adhere strictly to the directives to avoid these potential repercussions.