COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Lycoming Piston Engines
AD/LYC/81
Amdt 3
Oil Pump Impellers 3/95
Applicability: All Lycoming piston engines other than; dual magneto 540 wide deck series engines built with high capacity oil pumps and O-320-H2AD, O-360-E1A6D, LO-360- E1A6D, TO-360-E1A6D and LTO-360-E1A6D 76 series engines.
Requirement: Replace scintered iron oil pump impellers in accordance with Textron Lycoming Service Bulletin No. 456F.
Compliance: Effective 2 March 1995: Unless previously accomplished in accordance with a previous issue of SB 456;
- At next engine overhaul, bulk strip or 31 December 1995, whichever occurs first.
2. Prior to installation in an aircraft.
3. Prior to issue of an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness.
Note: Previous compliance with the requirements of this Directive can be established by a review of the engine log books and/or engine records.
Background: This Directive requires the replacement of sintered iron oil pump impellers in certain Lycoming engines. This amendment has been issued to reflect industry advice that the 76 series engines have a different oil pump and are therefore, not applicable. The amendment also includes a sunset clause in the compliance requirements. The change to the compliance requirements reflects advice of a recent major engine failure in a Cessna 172M/O-320-E2D. The engine had been last overhauled in the USA in 1986 and an investigation of the oil system related failure revealed sintered iron oil pump impellers were fitted.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by Legislative Instrument F2006B11206, introduces a specific airworthiness directive concerning Lycoming piston engines. This legislation was enacted to address the safety concern arising from the use of sintered iron oil pump impellers in certain Lycoming engines, which had been linked to engine failures. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia, introduced this directive to mitigate risks associated with these components. The policy objective is to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected engines by mandating the replacement of the problematic oil pump impellers, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety. The directive applies to all Lycoming piston engines except for the specified 76 series engines, and it includes specific compliance timelines to ensure timely replacement and maintenance.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 106, governs the safety directives for civil aviation in Australia, specifically targeting Lycoming piston engines through Airworthiness Directive AD/LYC/81 Amendment 3. This directive mandates the replacement of sintered iron oil pump impellers in specified Lycoming engines to prevent oil system failures, a directive that applies to all Lycoming piston engines except for the dual magneto 540 wide deck series engines equipped with high capacity oil pumps, as well as certain 76 series engines. The directive aims to ensure the continued airworthiness of these engines, which are critical components in various aircraft models. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, applying to all aircraft registered in Australia that utilise the affected engines. Compliance with this directive must occur by the next engine overhaul, the next bulk strip, or by 31 December 1995, whichever comes first, and must also be fulfilled prior to installation in an aircraft and before issuing an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness. Compliance history can be verified through engine logbooks and records. The directive reflects the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's commitment to enhancing aviation safety by addressing specific engine component vulnerabilities identified through industry feedback and investigation of past incidents.
Key Provisions
The main provisions of AD/LYC/81Amdt 3 (Section 39-106) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 focus on the replacement of sintered iron oil pump impellers in Lycoming piston engines, except for specific models. This directive, as amended, targets all Lycoming piston engines except the dual magneto 540 wide deck series engines equipped with high capacity oil pumps, and the O-320-H2AD, O-360-E1A6D, LO-360-E1A6D, TO-360-E1A6D, and LTO-360-E1A6D 76 series engines. The directive requires the replacement of these impellers in accordance with Textron Lycoming Service Bulletin No. 456F. The compliance deadline is set for the next engine overhaul, bulk strip, or 2 March 1995, whichever comes first, or before the engine is installed in an aircraft or before the issue of an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness.
The Civil Aviation Regulations mandate that Lycoming piston engine owners or operators must ensure compliance with the airworthiness directive by replacing the specified sintered iron oil pump impellers. This can be verified by reviewing engine log books and records, which should document compliance with the directive or the service bulletin. The directive underscores the importance of maintaining engine integrity and safety by mandating the replacement of certain components that may pose a risk of failure.
Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in AD/LYC/81Amdt 3 can result in serious civil and criminal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance may lead to penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The specific penalties are determined by the severity of the breach and the potential risk to public safety. The directive's sunset clause ensures that the compliance period is limited, thereby reducing the risk of non-compliance after a certain date. This legislative measure is intended to enforce safety standards and mitigate the risk of engine failure, as evidenced by a significant incident involving a Cessna 172M/O-320-E2D in which sintered iron oil pump impellers were found to be a contributing factor.