AD/DART/7 - Aeroquip Fuel Pipes - Mod. 1587

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by Legislative Instrument F2006B08720, was introduced to address the need for standardised airworthiness directives, ensuring the safety and reliability of aircraft components and engines in operation. This legislation falls under the jurisdiction of the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which is responsible for maintaining and enforcing aviation safety standards. The policy objective behind these regulations is to mitigate risks associated with potential failures in critical aircraft components, particularly in the Rolls Royce Dart series engines, by mandating specific modifications or actions to ensure continued airworthiness. The specific legislative instrument, F2006B08720, pertains to the Rolls Royce Dart series engines and Aeroquip fuel pipes, mandating actions as outlined in Rolls Royce Service Bulletin Da 73-73 or AD/RRT/18. The directive applies to all Dart RDa-6 and RDa-7 series engines, with an immediate effect to ensure the safety and operational integrity of these aircraft components. The reissuance of AD/RRT/18 under this legislative framework underscores the ongoing commitment to updating and enforcing safety measures in civil aviation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to all Dart RDa-6, RDa-7 series engines, which includes engines used in aircraft that operate within Australia’s jurisdiction. This directive is a legislative instrument designed to ensure the continued airworthiness of Rolls Royce Turbine Engines of the Dart series, particularly focusing on the Aeroquip fuel pipes as outlined in modification 1587 dated 11/87. The directive mandates that actions must be taken in accordance with either Rolls Royce Service Bulletin Da 73-73 or AD/RRT/18, and these actions are required to be implemented immediately, as stipulated by the effectivity clause. This regulatory requirement underscores CASA’s commitment to maintaining stringent safety standards within the Australian aviation industry, thereby ensuring that all aircraft utilising these engines comply with the specified modifications to prevent potential safety issues.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 106, specifically AD/DART/7, focus on ensuring the airworthiness of Rolls Royce Turbine Engines - Dart Series, particularly models RDa-6 and RDa-7. Section 39-106 mandates compliance with either Rolls Royce Service Bulletin (SB) Da 73-73 or Airworthiness Directive (AD) RRT/18. This directive requires immediate action to maintain the airworthiness of the specified engines (Section 39-106). The obligations imposed by this legislation on parties or entities governed by it are quite specific. Engine operators and owners must ensure that their Dart series engines meet the requirements outlined in either Rolls Royce SB Da 73-73 or AD/RRT/18. This means that they must either implement the modifications or corrective actions specified in these documents, or adhere to any other approved method to address the issues identified in these directives. The directive applies forthwith, indicating that there is no time lag before compliance is required (Section 39-106). Failure to comply with these directives can lead to significant consequences. Firstly, any breach of the AD/DART/7 could result in the grounding of the affected aircraft until the necessary actions are taken. Additionally, there may be civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance. The specific penalties are not detailed within the provided text, but under Australian law, severe non-compliance with aviation safety regulations can lead to fines and even imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the court. Therefore, it is crucial for all parties involved to ensure strict adherence to the regulations to avoid these potential consequences.