Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted to regulate civil aviation safety in Australia, addressing the need for comprehensive aviation safety standards and requirements. This legislation was enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is delegated the responsibility to implement and enforce these regulations, including issuing Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address specific safety concerns. One such AD, AD/PT6A/30, was issued in April 2002 to address incidents of asymmetric thrust during landing on aircraft fitted with Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-60A engines. This directive mandates the replacement of specific propeller governor assemblies to mitigate the safety risk posed by the identified condition. The policy objective of this AD is to enhance aviation safety by ensuring that aircraft meet the required airworthiness standards.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to all Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-60A and PT6A-65B engines that are fitted with specific propeller governor assemblies. The directive mandates the replacement of these governor assemblies as a corrective measure to address an identified unsafe condition, which has been linked to incidents of asymmetric thrust during landing. The directive specifies that the replacement must be carried out within six months of the directive's effective date, which was 18 April 2002. This requirement is aimed at ensuring the continued airworthiness of the affected engines, thereby enhancing safety for personnel and equipment. The directive is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by CASA, which is responsible for civil aviation safety in the country. It is noteworthy that this directive does not exempt any specific entity or person from its requirements, nor does it establish any thresholds that might limit its applicability.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PT6A/30 issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) applies specifically to all Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-60A and PT6A-65B engines equipped with propeller governor assemblies P/N 8210-212H. The AD mandates that these governor assemblies must be replaced with Woodward P/N 8210-310, in accordance with Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin (SB) 13354. This replacement is required to address incidents of asymmetric thrust during landing, which have been identified as a safety hazard. The AD also notes that the governor assemblies can be reworked in line with Woodward Service Bulletin 83053-61-006. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within six months of its effective date, which is 18 April 2002. The AD imposes specific obligations on the entities it governs, namely the operators and owners of aircraft equipped with the affected Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-60A and PT6A-65B engines. These parties must ensure that the specified governor assemblies are replaced within the stipulated timeframe, in accordance with the instructions provided in Pratt & Whitney Canada Service Bulletin 13354. Failure to comply with this AD could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, thereby prohibiting its operation until the necessary corrective action has been taken. Breach of this Airworthiness Directive can lead to severe consequences. The AD is a mandatory requirement designed to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. Non-compliance can result in the aircraft being grounded until the specified actions are completed. Additionally, if the AD is ignored and an incident occurs due to the unsafe condition it seeks to rectify, the operator or owner of the aircraft could face significant civil or criminal liability. While the AD itself does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, the broader framework of the CAR 1998 allows for significant fines and other legal repercussions for breaches of safety directives. These potential penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the AD to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft.