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/29
Amdt 2
Turbine Exhaust Case 2/98
Applicability: Pratt and Whitney JT9D series engines.
Requirement: 1. Install an improved turbine exhaust case in accordance with the technical requirement of FAA AD 96-25-10, or
2. Install an improved turbine exhaust case in accordance with Pratt and Whitney Service Bulletin JT9D-7R4-72-534 Revision 1.
Note: Pratt and Whitney Service Bulletin JT9D-7R4-72-534 Revision 1, Paragraph
1.D advises compliance with SB JT9D-7R4-72-534 has been approved by the FAA as an alternative means of compliance for FAA AD 96-25-10.
Compliance: Unless previously accomplished, as detailed in the requirement document with an effective date of 30 January 1998.
This amendment becomes effective on 29 January 1998.
Background: This Directive is issued on advice from the FAA of a significant number of uncontained engines failures since 1972. The improved turbine exhaust case features enhanced debris containment in the event of an engine failure.
This amendment adds an alternative means of compliance.
Amendment 1 corrected the FAA reference in the requirement statement and became effective on 19 June 1997.
Amendment 1 of this airworthiness directive became effective on 19 June 1997. The original issue of this airworthiness directive became effective on 22 May 1997.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, establish comprehensive regulations to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Part 39, specifically addressing airworthiness directives, aims to mitigate risks associated with aircraft operations by issuing specific safety mandates and standards. One such directive, AD/JT9D/29, pertains to Pratt and Whitney JT9D series engines, focusing on the installation of an improved turbine exhaust case to enhance debris containment in the event of engine failure, thus addressing the problem of uncontained engine failures. This amendment, effective from 29 January 1998, offers an alternative compliance method aligning with FAA standards, reflecting the regulatory objective of maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation operations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes provisions that apply to Pratt and Whitney JT9D series turbine engines. These directives mandate the installation of an improved turbine exhaust case to mitigate the risk of uncontained engine failures, a concern highlighted by a significant number of such incidents since 1972. Compliance with these requirements is essential for ensuring the airworthiness of the affected engines, and the directive allows for two means of compliance: either installing the improved turbine exhaust case as specified in FAA AD 96-25-10 or according to Pratt and Whitney Service Bulletin JT9D-7R4-72-534 Revision 1. This flexibility acknowledges the approval of the latter as an alternative means of compliance by the FAA. The directive applies to any Pratt and Whitney JT9D series engines unless the specified improvements have already been implemented, and it became effective on 30 January 1998, with subsequent amendments and corrections issued on 19 June 1997 and 22 May 1997 respectively. The jurisdictional reach of these regulations is national, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in accordance with Commonwealth legislation.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 106, mandate compliance with airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). One such directive, AD/JT9D/29Amdt 2, pertains to Pratt and Whitney JT9D series turbine engines, with a focus on the turbine exhaust case. The directive, effective as of 29 January 1998, requires that an improved turbine exhaust case be installed in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in either FAA AD 96-25-10 or Pratt and Whitney Service Bulletin JT9D-7R4-72-534 Revision 1. This directive applies to all Pratt and Whitney JT9D series engines unless they have already been upgraded as documented in the requirement document with an effective date of 30 January 1998.
The obligations imposed by this directive are quite clear. Operators and owners of Pratt and Whitney JT9D series engines must ensure that the specified improvements to the turbine exhaust case are implemented. This entails either installing the improved turbine exhaust case as detailed in FAA AD 96-25-10 or following the alternative compliance method provided by Pratt and Whitney Service Bulletin JT9D-7R4-72-534 Revision 1. Documentation of compliance must be kept on file and should be readily available for inspection by CASA or the FAA. Non-compliance with this directive may result in severe consequences for the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this airworthiness directive can result in significant penalties. The potential consequences of non-compliance include civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties can be substantial and may include fines and sanctions against the operator or owner of the aircraft. Criminal penalties may apply in cases where non-compliance is found to have contributed to an aviation accident or incident. The exact penalties depend on the specific circumstances of the case, but they can be severe, reflecting the importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of air travel. The directive's background indicates that it was issued in response to a significant number of uncontained engine failures since 1972, highlighting the critical need for enhanced debris containment in the event of engine failure.