COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Lycoming Piston Engines
AD/LYC/103 Slick Magneto Inspection 4/99 DM
Applicability: Textron Lycoming O-540-B2B5, -B2C5, -E4B5, -E4C5, -G1A5, -G2A5,
IO-540-K1A5, -K1B5 and -K1G5 reciprocating engines equipped with Slick Aircraft Products magneto Model Numbers 6251, 6252, 6255, 6351 and 6355.
Note: These engines are known to be installed on, but not limited to the following aeroplanes:
Manufacturer Aeroplane Model and/or Series
Britten Norman BN-2A, -2A-2, -2A-3, -2A-6, -2A-9, -2A-20, -2A-21, 2A-26,
-2A-27, -2A-MKIII, -2A-MKIII-2, -2A-MKIII-3, -2B-20,
-2B-21, -2B-26 and -2B-27
Piper PA-25-235, PA-25-260, PA-32( )-260 and PA-32-300
Requirement: 1. For engines on which the service history of the magneto is not known or on which the magneto has greater than 250 hours time in service (TIS) since new, factory rebuilt or overhauled, on the effective date of this Directive, inspect the components of the magneto impulse coupling for the conditions listed in accordance with steps 1 through 7 of Textron Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) No 537 dated 20 November 1998.
Note: Textron Lycoming MSB No 537 dated 20 November 1998 contains Slick Service Bulletin No SB1-98 dated 26 August 1998. The steps referenced in the Textron MSB are the same steps referenced in the Slick Bulletin.
2. For engines on which the magneto has less than or equal to 250 hours TIS since new, factory rebuilt or overhauled, on the effective date of this Directive, inspect the components of the magneto impulse coupling for the conditions listed in accordance with steps 1 through 7 of Textron Lycoming Mandatory MSB No 537.
3. Remove the magneto impulse coupling from service and replace it with a serviceable coupling.
Note: FAA AD 99-04-04 Amdt 39-11028 refers.
Compliance: 1. Within 10 hours TIS from the effective date of this directive and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 250 hours TIS.
2. Either prior to accumulating 250 hours TIS since new, factory rebuilt or overhauled, or within 10 hours TIS from the effective date of this Directive, whichever comes later, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 250 hours TIS.
3. Prior to the accumulation of 2 000 hours TIS since new.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 24 February 1999.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Background: Numerous reports have been received of failure of the impulse coupling pawl on Slick magnetos installed on Textron Lycoming IO-540 and O-540 engines. The impulse coupling failure has resulted in seizure of the engine.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, include specific provisions regarding the airworthiness of aircraft engines, which are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Among these provisions is a directive concerning Textron Lycoming piston engines, specifically Slick magnetos. This directive, AD/LYC/103, was enacted in 1999 to address a significant safety concern: the failure of impulse coupling pawls on Slick magnetos, which can lead to engine seizure. This issue was identified through numerous reports and has prompted CASA to issue this airworthiness directive to ensure that the affected engines are inspected and maintained to prevent such failures. The policy objective behind this directive is to maintain the highest possible safety standards in civil aviation by mitigating the risk of engine failure due to known issues with specific magneto components.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directives outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39, apply specifically to Textron Lycoming O-540 and IO-540 reciprocating engines equipped with Slick Aircraft Products magnetos. These directives are designed to address the identified issue of impulse coupling failure in these specific magnetos, which has led to engine seizure. The directive applies to engines with certain model numbers and those installed in various aircraft models, including those manufactured by Britten Norman and Piper. The requirement for inspection and replacement of the magneto impulse coupling varies based on the time in service (TIS) of the magneto. Compliance with the inspection and replacement intervals is mandatory and must be carried out within specified time frames to ensure airworthiness. This directive extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing compliance at a national level. There are no stated exclusions, but the directive is tailored to the particular engine and magneto configurations identified. Subordinate instruments may provide further detail on enforcement and compliance measures.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 106, include a directive concerning Textron Lycoming piston engines equipped with Slick Aircraft Products magnetos. This directive, AD/LYC/103, pertains to a Slick Magneto Inspection and applies to certain models of Textron Lycoming O-540 and IO-540 reciprocating engines that have specific Slick Aircraft Products magneto models installed (section 1). These engines are often found in various aircraft models, including Britten Norman and Piper aeroplanes (section 1). The directive mandates inspections of the magneto impulse coupling for any signs of wear or damage, with different inspection intervals based on the hours in service (TIS) of the magneto (sections 1 and 2). If any issues are detected, the magneto impulse coupling must be removed and replaced (section 3).
The obligations imposed by this directive require the inspection of the magneto impulse coupling under certain conditions. For engines with unknown service history or those that have accrued more than 250 hours TIS, inspections must occur within 10 hours of the directive's effective date and then at intervals not exceeding 250 hours TIS (section 1). For engines with 250 hours TIS or less, inspections must happen before reaching 250 hours TIS or within 10 hours of the directive's effective date, whichever is later, and then at intervals not exceeding 250 hours TIS (section 2). The magneto impulse coupling must also be replaced prior to accumulating 2,000 hours TIS since new (section 3). These inspections and replacements are intended to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft by preventing potential engine failures due to impulse coupling issues.
Failure to comply with the inspection and replacement requirements outlined in this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. Non-compliance could lead to engine seizure, potentially causing an in-flight emergency or other dangerous situations. The directive does not explicitly state penalties, but non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. This could include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance results in harm or endangerment. The exact penalties would depend on the specific circumstances and the severity of the non-compliance.