COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Lycoming Piston Engines
AD/LYC/104 Crankshaft Drive Gear Bolts 12/99
Applicability: Textron Lycoming Model O-540-F1B5 engines as detailed by serial number in FAA Airworthiness Directive 99-03-05 and installed in, but not limited to, Robinson R44 helicopters.
Note: Copies of FAA AD 99-03-05 are available from CASA. CASA contact position is the Airworthiness Directive Publishing Controller. Contact number is 131 757.
Requirement: Replace crankshaft drive gear bolt part number (P/N) STD-2209. Compliance: Within 10 hours time in service from the effective date of this directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 2 December 1999.
Background: This directive has been issued to prevent failure of the crankshaft bolt resulting in an engine failure. The requirement follows advice of a manufacturing error in bolts supplied to the Robinson Helicopter Company.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) were enacted to provide for the safety of civil aviation in Australia, and include provisions for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft and their components. One such provision is Part 39, which sets out requirements for issuing airworthiness directives. AD/LYC/104, which was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 2 December 1999, is an airworthiness directive aimed at addressing a specific safety issue identified with Textron Lycoming Model O-540-F1B5 engines installed in Robinson R44 helicopters. This directive was introduced in response to a manufacturing error in crankshaft drive gear bolts, which could potentially lead to engine failure. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure that the identified crankshaft drive gear bolt is replaced within 10 hours of the directive's effective date to mitigate the risk of engine failure.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, mandates the application of Airworthiness Directive (AD) LYC/104 concerning crankshaft drive gear bolts in Textron Lycoming Model O-540-F1B5 engines. This directive applies to engines identified by specific serial numbers as detailed in FAA Airworthiness Directive 99-03-05 and installed in various aircraft, including but not limited to Robinson R44 helicopters. The directive's purpose is to ensure the safety of aviation operations by addressing a manufacturing defect in the crankshaft drive gear bolt part number STD-2209, which, if unaddressed, could lead to engine failure. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring the replacement of the specified crankshaft drive gear bolt within 10 hours of the directive's effective date, which is 2 December 1999. CASA provides further information and copies of the relevant FAA directive upon request, with the Airworthiness Directive Publishing Controller contactable via phone.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes the directive AD/LYC/104 concerning Lycoming Piston Engines and crankshaft drive gear bolts (Section 12/99). This directive applies to Textron Lycoming Model O-540-F1B5 engines identified by specific serial numbers, as outlined in FAA Airworthiness Directive 99-03-05, and these engines must be installed in, but are not limited to, Robinson R44 helicopters. The directive mandates the replacement of crankshaft drive gear bolt part number (P/N) STD-2209 to ensure safety and prevent engine failure. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 10 hours of the engine being in service from the effective date of 2 December 1999. For more information, including copies of FAA AD 99-03-05, interested parties can contact CASA through their Airworthiness Directive Publishing Controller.
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties governed by it, primarily focusing on ensuring the airworthiness and safety of the specified aircraft engines. Owners and operators of Textron Lycoming Model O-540-F1B5 engines must comply with the directive by replacing the specified crankshaft drive gear bolt within the stipulated timeframe of 10 hours of engine service from the directive's effective date. The directive also requires that these engines, if installed in Robinson R44 helicopters, meet the specified safety standards to prevent potential engine failure due to manufacturing errors in the bolts. CASA facilitates compliance by making relevant documents accessible and providing contact information for further inquiries.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the Airworthiness Directive AD/LYC/104 can lead to serious safety implications, including the risk of engine failure during flight. The directive aims to prevent such incidents by mandating the replacement of the defective crankshaft drive gear bolt. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state specific penalties for non-compliance with this directive, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in enforcement actions by CASA. Such actions may include grounding the aircraft, imposing fines, or other regulatory measures to ensure compliance and maintain aviation safety standards. The consequences of not adhering to these safety mandates can be severe, potentially leading to accidents and endangering lives.