AD/LTS/7 Amdt 2 - Power Turbine Rotor

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), establish the regulatory framework for ensuring the safety of aviation operations within Australia. One particular piece of legislation within this framework is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/LTS/7 Amendment 2, which pertains to the maintenance and inspection requirements for AlliedSignal (Lycoming) Turbine Engines of the LTS 101 series. Enacted to address potential safety issues associated with power turbine rotors, this directive aims to ensure the continued airworthiness and reliability of these engines by specifying mandatory actions in accordance with Textron Lycoming Service Bulletin No LT 101-72-00-0093 Rev. 5. The directive requires compliance within a specified timeframe and at regular intervals, ensuring that engines are maintained to the highest safety standards. The AD/LTS/7 Amendment 2 reflects updates based on the manufacturer's latest revisions and the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) AD 87-11-09, emphasising a collaborative approach to aviation safety regulation. Notably, engines fitted with individually bladed power turbine rotors are exempt from this directive. The policy objective is to mitigate any risks associated with the power turbine rotors by mandating regular inspections and maintenance, thereby enhancing the overall safety and reliability of LTS 101 series engines in Australian aviation operations.

Scope and Application

The AlliedSignal (Lycoming) Turbine Engines - LTS 101 Series AD/LTS/7 Amendment 2 Power Turbine Rotor AD applies to all LTS 101 series engines fitted with Power Turbine Rotors part number 4-141-070-XX. This regulation mandates compliance with Textron Lycoming Service Bulletin No LT 101-72-00-0093 Rev. 5, as referenced in FAA AD 87-11-09. The requirement is that action must be taken in accordance with these documents unless it has been previously completed. This action must occur within 50 hours of time in service from 21 March 1991, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 50 hours or 300 cycles, whichever comes first. It is pertinent to note that LTS 101 series engines fitted with individually bladed power turbine rotors are not subject to this directive. This legislation falls under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring compliance across the national airspace.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 106, mandate that any LTS 101 series engine equipped with a Power Turbine Rotor part number 4-141-070-XX must comply with Textron Lycoming Service Bulletin (SB) No LT 101-72-00-0093, Revision 5. This requirement is outlined in AD/LTS/7 Amendment 2, dated 3/91, and references FAA AD 87-11-09 for additional context (sections 39 - 106). The directive stipulates that the action must be undertaken unless it has already been performed. The compliance window mandates this action to occur within 50 hours of time in service from 21 March 1991 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 50 hours or 300 cycles, whichever comes first. Entities governed by this Act, primarily operators and owners of LTS 101 series engines with the specified power turbine rotor, must adhere to the outlined compliance schedule. They are required to follow the instructions in the Lycoming Service Bulletin to ensure the engine's airworthiness. Failure to comply with these directives could result in safety concerns, thereby impacting the operational certification of the aircraft. Additionally, operators must keep detailed records of when the required actions were undertaken to demonstrate compliance with regulatory standards. Failure to adhere to the stipulated airworthiness directives can result in severe consequences. Civil penalties may be imposed for non-compliance, including fines up to the maximum prescribed by the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which can reach a significant amount based on the severity and frequency of the breach. Additionally, the non-compliance could lead to grounding of the affected aircraft until the required actions are completed, potentially disrupting scheduled operations and incurring further financial penalties. Criminal penalties might also apply if the non-compliance is found to have caused an aviation accident or incident, with potential imprisonment and substantial fines under the Crimes Act 1914.