AD/DART/22 - High Pressure Impeller

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, serve to regulate the safety and operational standards of civil aviation within Australia. A particular focus of these regulations is on ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft and their components. One of the legislative instruments under this act, specifically F2006B08708, pertains to Rolls Royce Turbine Engines of the Dart Series. This legislative instrument addresses potential safety issues related to the high-pressure impeller in Dart RDa-6 series engines, requiring immediate compliance to rectify these concerns and ensure continued safe operation of these engines. The objective is to mitigate risks associated with engine performance and reliability, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as part of the regulatory framework, enforces these directives to maintain high safety standards in the aviation sector.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), mandate specific safety measures for the Dart series of Rolls Royce turbine engines, as outlined in Part 39 - 106. Specifically, Airworthiness Directive AD/DART/22 pertains to the High Pressure Impeller of all Dart RDa-6 series engines, requiring compliance with either Rolls Royce Service Bulletin SB Da 72-496 or another Airworthiness Directive, AD/RRT/38. The directive mandates immediate action, underscoring the critical nature of these safety measures. The regulation applies nationwide, ensuring that all entities operating Dart RDa-6 series engines within Australia must adhere to these stringent safety requirements. No exclusions or exemptions are explicitly stated in the directive, implying that all such engines must comply with the specified safety actions. The directive’s scope is further extended through subordinate instruments, which may provide additional detail or clarification on the implementation of the directive.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Part 39 - 106) as they pertain to the Airworthiness Directive (AD/DART/22) for Rolls Royce Turbine Engines - Dart Series, particularly concerning the high-pressure impeller, require specific actions for all Dart RDa-6 series engines. Section 11/87 of the directive mandates that action be taken in accordance with either Rolls Royce Service Bulletin Da 72-496 or AD/RRT/38 (section 1). Compliance with these directives is required forthwith, meaning that the specified actions must be completed immediately (section 2). The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties or entities it governs include ensuring that all Dart RDa-6 series engines are inspected, repaired, or replaced as necessary to meet the requirements outlined in Rolls Royce SB Da 72-496 or AD/RRT/38. This means that operators and maintainers of these engines must follow the specified procedures to maintain airworthiness and safety standards. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the engine being deemed unairworthy, potentially grounding the aircraft until the directive is properly addressed. Breach of the requirements set forth in the AD/DART/22 can lead to various consequences, including both civil and criminal penalties. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, breaches of civil aviation regulations generally can result in substantial fines, enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), and potential criminal charges for individuals responsible for non-compliance. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft and its passengers.