AD/LTS/12 - Cast Material Axial Compressor

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B11175, addresses the issue of ensuring the airworthiness of AlliedSignal (Lycoming) LTS 101 Series turbine engines. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, this regulation was introduced to mitigate the risk of inflight engine shutdowns due to cast material axial compressor blade failures, a problem identified through reports of 36 such incidents. The policy objective is to enhance flight safety by mandating the replacement of specific cast material axial compressor rotors with wrought material rotors, in accordance with the AlliedSignal Service Bulletin LT 101-72-30-0088 Rev. 5, and in alignment with the Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive 95-16-04. This directive ensures that the modifications are implemented with an effective date of 9 November 1995, thereby preventing potential power loss and engine shutdowns during flights.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all LTS101 series engines within the Commonwealth of Australia. This regulation is essential for ensuring the safety of civil aviation operations and mandates the replacement of cast material axial compressor rotors in AlliedSignal (Lycoming) Turbine Engines, as outlined in AD/LTS/12. The requirement stems from the identification of 36 instances of cast material axial compressor blade failures, which could lead to significant safety issues such as power loss and inflight engine shutdown. This directive applies directly to engine manufacturers, operators, and maintenance providers within Australia, ensuring that all LTS101 series engines comply with the specified safety measures. Compliance must be achieved in accordance with AlliedSignal Service Bulletin LT 101-72-30-0088 Rev. 5, with an effective date of 9 November 1995. This directive does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, and adherence to the regulations is mandatory for the safe operation of affected aircraft engines within Australian airspace.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 106, mandates certain requirements for the airworthiness of AlliedSignal (Lycoming) LTS 101 Series Turbine Engines through Airworthiness Directive LTS/12. This directive pertains to the replacement of specific cast material axial compressor rotors in the LTS101 series engines, as stated in Section 106. The parts that need replacement are identified by the Part Numbers (P/N) 4-101-006-20, -21, -24, -26, -35, -36, and -40. The directive requires these components to be replaced in accordance with the guidelines laid out in AlliedSignal's Service Bulletin LT 101-72-30-0088, Revision 5. It is worth noting that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also issued a corresponding Airworthiness Directive, AD 95-16-04, which references this requirement. The obligations imposed by this directive include ensuring that all LTS101 series engines are inspected for the specified cast material axial compressor rotors. If these parts are found in any engine, they must be replaced with the appropriate wrought material axial compressor rotors. The replacement process must adhere to the detailed instructions provided in the referenced Service Bulletin, which includes specific procedures and requirements to ensure that the new components are correctly installed and that the engine is returned to an airworthy condition. The effective date for compliance with this directive is 9 November 1995, as noted in the Requirement Document. Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, Section 106, could result in significant consequences. The legislation does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, but breaches of airworthiness directives can lead to severe repercussions. This can include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance results in accidents or endangers safety. The exact penalties can vary depending on the severity of the breach and the impact on aviation safety. The directive aims to prevent compressor blade failures, which can cause power loss and inflight engine shutdowns, thereby ensuring the safety and reliability of the LTS101 series turbine engines.