COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Pratt and Whitney Turbine Engines - JT9D Series
AD/JT9D/24 HPC Turbine Drive Shafts 8/91
Applicability: JT9D-7R4 series engines.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the Technical Requirements of FAA AD 91-03-03 Amdt 39-6838.
Compliance: As detailed in Requirement Document with a revised effective date of 8 August 1991.
Background: This Directive requires initial and repetitive inspection of certain high pressure compressor (HPC) turbine drive shafts. This requirement follows advice of circumferential cracks found in the thread area of the HPC drive shaft which mates with the number three bearing retainer nut.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Pratt and Whitney Turbine Engines - JT9D Series HPC Turbine Drive Shafts AD/JT9D/24 (F2006B11017), addresses the problem of circumferential cracks found in the thread area of the high pressure compressor (HPC) turbine drive shaft, specifically in JT9D-7R4 series engines. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this legislative instrument aims to ensure aviation safety by mandating inspections of these components to prevent potential failures. The policy objective is to comply with the Technical Requirements of FAA AD 91-03-03 Amdt 39-6838, with a revised effective date of 8 August 1991. This requirement is integral in maintaining the airworthiness of the affected engines, thereby safeguarding both passengers and crew in civil aviation operations.
The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued this directive to enforce rigorous inspection protocols for the HPC turbine drive shafts, reflecting a commitment to high safety standards in civil aviation. The directive applies to engines of the specified series and mandates compliance with the specified technical requirements, ensuring that any detected issues are addressed promptly. This legislative action underscores CASA's dedication to proactive safety measures, thereby enhancing the overall reliability and safety of air travel within Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 106, specifically address the airworthiness directives concerning Pratt and Whitney Turbine Engines of the JT9D series, particularly focusing on the HPC Turbine Drive Shafts. This regulation applies to JT9D-7R4 series engines, mandating actions that align with the technical requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 91-03-03 Amendment 39-6838. This requirement necessitates initial and recurring inspections of specific high-pressure compressor turbine drive shafts, responding to identified issues such as circumferential cracks in the thread area of the HPC drive shaft where it interfaces with the number three bearing retainer nut. The compliance with these regulations must be in accordance with the specified Requirement Document, with the effective date for compliance revised to 8 August 1991. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, applying across Australia as enforced by CASA. The scope of this legislation is precise, targeting specific engine series and components, and there are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the provided text. The application of these directives may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, as permitted under the overarching Civil Aviation Act.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 106, specifically AD/JT9D/24 concerning Pratt and Whitney Turbine Engines - JT9D Series, mandate specific actions for the inspection and maintenance of HPC turbine drive shafts (section 106). This directive applies to JT9D-7R4 series engines and requires compliance with the Technical Requirements outlined in FAA AD 91-03-03 Amendment 39-6838 (section 8/91). The requirement necessitates actions as detailed in the Requirement Document, with the directive revised to be effective as of 8 August 1991 (section 8/91).
The obligations imposed by this Act on the entities it governs include conducting initial and repetitive inspections of the HPC turbine drive shafts to detect any circumferential cracks in the thread area of the HPC drive shaft that mates with the number three bearing retainer nut. This is to ensure that the engines maintain their airworthiness and comply with the stringent safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 enforce specific actions and compliance protocols, and failure to adhere to these provisions can result in serious consequences. For instance, non-compliance with these airworthiness directives can lead to penalties, including potential criminal charges if it is found that such non-compliance contributed to an aviation incident or accident. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, individuals or corporations found guilty of violating these regulations can face significant fines, with the maximum penalties potentially reaching up to $1,650,000 for corporations and $330,000 for individuals, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance. Additionally, CASA can impose further administrative actions, such as suspension or revocation of certificates, which can severely impact the operational capacity of the involved entities.