Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, addresses various safety concerns and operational requirements for civil aviation within Australia. Enacted by the Parliament of Australia, these regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure that all civil aviation activities are conducted in a safe and efficient manner. One such regulation is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued to tackle specific safety issues. For instance, AD/MAKILA/6 focuses on the Makila Series Turbomeca Turbine Engines, addressing a particular safety concern regarding cracks in the exhaust pipe ejector attachment tabs. This directive mandates the replacement of these tabs to prevent potential detachment and subsequent contact with critical aircraft components such as the main or tail rotors. The policy objective behind such directives is to mitigate risks to aviation safety by enforcing timely and appropriate actions based on identified hazards. The directive becomes effective on 11 July 2002, requiring compliance by the next engine removal from the helicopter, but no later than 30 June 2003, thereby ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the specified safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, outlines the scope and application of the Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertains to the Turbomeca Turbine Engines of the Makila series, more precisely, the Makila 1A, 1A1, and 1A2 engines incorporating a TU200A modified exhaust pipe. The directive applies to any aircraft or aeronautical product utilising these specific engine models. The directive mandates the replacement of the exhaust pipe ejector attachment tabs as per the instructions detailed in Turbomeca Alert Service Bulletin A298 72 0148 Update Number 1. The requirement to replace these parts is to correct the unsafe condition identified, which involves the potential for cracks in the attachment tabs leading to the ejector detaching and contacting the rotors. The AD is effective from 11 July 2002, requiring compliance at the next engine removal for overhaul but no later than 30 June 2003. The AD is a Commonwealth instrument, applicable nationally across Australia, and is enforced by CASA, the federal authority overseeing civil aviation safety.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD/MAKILA/6) require that exhaust pipe ejector attachment tabs in specified Makila 1A, 1A1, and 1A2 engines be replaced in accordance with Turbomeca Alert Service Bulletin A298 72 0148 Update Number 1 (section 3). Compliance with this directive constitutes a terminating action for the requirements of a previous directive, AD/MAKILA/5, which had required an inspection of the tabs (section 3). The directive is effective from 11 July 2002, and requires action to be taken at the next removal of the engine from the helicopter, but no later than 30 June 2003 (section 4). The obligations imposed by this AD on the parties or entities it governs include ensuring that the exhaust pipe ejector attachment tabs are replaced in the specified manner and within the stipulated timeframe (section 3). The directive applies to Makila 1A, 1A1, and 1A2 engines incorporating a TU200A modified exhaust pipe (section 3). The AD is binding and must be complied with by all relevant parties, including aircraft operators and maintenance personnel, to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Breach of the requirements set out in this AD could result in the attachment tabs failing, which in turn could lead to the ejector becoming detached and contacting the main or tail rotor, posing a significant safety risk (section 2). There are no explicit penalties or consequences outlined in the AD itself; however, failure to comply with an AD is an offence under section 9.53 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, and could result in fines or other penalties being imposed (section 9.53). The severity of any penalties would depend on the circumstances of the breach and the discretion of the court. In summary, AD/MAKILA/6 requires the replacement of exhaust pipe ejector attachment tabs in specified Makila engines to address reports of cracks, with compliance constituting a terminating action for AD/MAKILA/5 (section 3). The AD imposes an obligation on relevant parties to ensure compliance within the specified timeframe (section 4). Breach of the AD could result in serious safety risks, and failure to comply with an AD is an offence under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, with potential penalties including fines (section 9.53).