AD/PT6A/19 - Fuel Control Bypass Valve Diaphragm

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve as the foundational regulatory framework governing civil aviation in Australia. Within this regulatory scheme, Part 39, specifically 106, addresses airworthiness directives to ensure the safety and reliability of aircraft operations. The legislative instrument F2006B06359, which amends the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, targets a particular safety concern by introducing an airworthiness directive for Pratt and Whitney Canada's PT6A Series turbine engines. This directive, AD/PT6A/19, was introduced to address the issue of the fuel control bypass valve diaphragm, as outlined in the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft of Canada Service Bulletin No. 3103 and corresponding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and United Aircraft Corporation (UAC-T) directives. The objective is to ensure compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1978, thereby enhancing aviation safety and preventing potential engine failures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the legislative framework governing aviation safety in Australia, apply to all persons and entities involved in the operation of aircraft within Australia, including airlines, aircraft manufacturers, maintenance providers, and individual pilots, as well as any relevant entities engaged in the servicing and maintenance of specific turbine engines. Specifically, the Pratt and Whitney Canada Turbine Engines - PT6A Series Airworthiness Directive AD/PT6A/19 pertains to PT6A-38, -41, and 45A engines that are equipped with particular Aviation Electric Fuel Control Units, identified by specific part numbers. This directive applies to all civil aircraft registered in Australia, ensuring that the specified engine components meet the outlined safety standards. The directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 30 November 1978, thereby establishing a clear timeline for adherence. The scope of the directive can be extended or further specified through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 106, govern the safety directives concerning Pratt and Whitney Canada Turbine Engines - PT6A Series, as detailed in AD/PT6A/19 (section 106.110). This legislation mandates that PT6A-38, -41 and 45A engines fitted with certain Aviation Electric Fuel Control Units must comply with the directive regarding the fuel control bypass valve diaphragm. These particular fuel control units are identified by their part numbers: 3244723-3 through -10, 3244738-5, 3244738-6, 3244752-6 through -10, and 3244755-7 through -11 (section 106.110(1)). The directive applies to all engines that have accumulated 100 hours of time in service following 30 November 1978 (section 106.110(2)). Entities governed by these regulations are required to ensure compliance with the specified directive within the stipulated timeframe. This involves adhering to the recommendations detailed in Pratt & Whitney Aircraft of Canada Service Bulletin No. 3103, FAA AD 78-17-07, Amendment 39-3287, or AD/UAC-T/31 (section 106.111). The compliance must be achieved by performing the necessary inspections, maintenance, or modifications to the fuel control bypass valve diaphragm as outlined in these documents (section 106.111(1)). Proper documentation of the compliance activities must be maintained and made available for inspection by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (section 106.111(2)). Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in AD/PT6A/19 may result in civil or criminal consequences. Operators and maintainers of the affected engines who fail to adhere to the airworthiness directives could face penalties. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance may be considered an offence, leading to potential fines and other civil sanctions (section 91). The specific penalties are not detailed in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 but are subject to the broader provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which can include fines up to a significant amount depending on the severity of the breach (section 91(2)). Additionally, severe breaches could result in criminal charges and potential imprisonment, though the exact penalties are defined by the overarching legislation and the discretion of the court (section 91(3)).