COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Lycoming Piston Engines
AD/LYC/80 Turbocharger Oil Inlet Adaptor Bushing 3/87
Applicability: All TIO, LTIO-540 Engines.
Requirement: Replace the turbocharger oil inlet adaptor bushing if made of brass or bronze material, with a steel bushing.
Note: Bushing P/N STD 1932 is an acceptable replacement.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, prior to the issue of the next Maintenance Release after 12 March 1987: and;
At each overhaul period ensure a bushing of acceptable steel material is fitted.
Background: Airworthiness Directive, AD/LYC/43, was cancelled in December 1985, the intent of which is now re-issued in response to an incident involving a Piper Navajo during flight. Loss of power and oil pressure resulted from the failure of the turbocharger oil inlet bushing made of brass material.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, addresses a critical safety concern regarding Lycoming piston engines, as articulated in Airworthiness Directive AD/LYC/80. This legislative instrument was enacted to rectify a safety issue identified in certain Lycoming engines, particularly those with turbocharger oil inlet adaptor bushings made of brass or bronze material. The problem was highlighted following an incident where the failure of such a bushing led to a loss of power and oil pressure in a Piper Navajo aircraft during flight. The directive mandates the replacement of these bushings with steel ones to prevent similar incidents, ensuring the continued safety of air operations. This directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, with the policy objective of maintaining and enhancing the airworthiness of aircraft engines by addressing specific material-related vulnerabilities.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, applies to all aircraft engines manufactured by Lycoming, particularly the TIO and LTIO-540 engines. The regulations mandate that the turbocharger oil inlet adaptor bushing, if made of brass or bronze, must be replaced with a steel bushing to ensure safety and airworthiness. The requirement necessitates compliance with these specifications prior to the issue of the next Maintenance Release following 12 March 1987, and additionally, at each overhaul period, an acceptable steel bushing must be fitted. The directive was issued in response to an incident where the failure of a brass turbocharger oil inlet bushing caused a loss of power and oil pressure, resulting in a critical in-flight situation. The regulation extends its reach to all aircraft operators and maintenance personnel within the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing stringent safety standards to prevent future occurrences of such incidents.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 and specifically section 106 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to Lycoming Piston Engines and mandates the replacement of turbocharger oil inlet adaptor bushings in certain circumstances. According to section AD/LYC/80, the directive applies to all TIO and LTIO-540 engines. It requires the replacement of any turbocharger oil inlet adaptor bushing made of brass or bronze material with a bushing made of steel. The directive specifies that bushing P/N STD 1932 is an acceptable replacement for this purpose. Compliance with this directive is essential; it must be addressed before the issue of the next Maintenance Release after 12 March 1987, and the replacement must also be performed during each overhaul period to ensure that an acceptable steel bushing is fitted.
The obligations imposed by this directive are straightforward but critical for maintaining airworthiness. Operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the specified replacement is carried out. This involves identifying the current bushing material, procuring an acceptable steel bushing such as P/N STD 1932, and replacing any bushings made of brass or bronze with this new material. This replacement must be completed prior to the next maintenance release date and also integrated into the regular overhaul procedures to maintain compliance continuously.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/LYC/80 may lead to severe consequences. The safety directive is a regulatory requirement aimed at preventing incidents like the one involving a Piper Navajo, where failure of the turbocharger oil inlet bushing led to a loss of power and oil pressure during flight. While specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within this legislative instrument, breaches of airworthiness directives generally attract enforcement actions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions can include fines, the suspension of an aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, or other administrative penalties. Ensuring compliance is not only a legal obligation but also a matter of safety, critical to preventing potential in-flight failures that could endanger lives and property.