AD/PT6T/4 - Fuel Control Bypass Valve Diaphragm

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, serve to regulate and maintain safety standards within the aviation industry. A specific legislative instrument, F2006B06374, addresses the issue of ensuring the airworthiness of Pratt and Whitney Canada Turbine Engines, specifically the PT6T Series. This instrument was introduced to address potential safety risks associated with the fuel control bypass valve diaphragm in certain PT6T engines. The objective is to ensure compliance with safety directives to mitigate risks that could affect the operational integrity and safety of aircraft. The regulation is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is part of a broader effort to enforce airworthiness directives that align with international safety standards. The aim is to ensure that the specified engines meet necessary safety requirements, thereby protecting both the aircraft and its passengers. This legislative instrument was enacted to provide clear guidelines and compliance deadlines for addressing the identified safety concerns with specific PT6T engines. The regulation mandates that compliance with the airworthiness directive must be achieved within 50 hours of time in service following a specified date, 30 November 1978. This directive is referenced through various documents, including Pratt & Whitney Aircraft of Canada Alert SB No. 5153, FAA AD 78-17-05, Amendment 39-3285, and AD/UAC-T/30, ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are informed and can take appropriate action to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the affected engines.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as detailed in PART 39 - 106, govern the safety directives for aviation in Australia, with a specific focus on Pratt and Whitney Canada Turbine Engines of the PT6T Series. This regulation mandates that specific models of PT6T engines, namely PT6T-3 and PT6T-6 engines, which are fitted with certain types of Aviation Electric Fuel Control Units, must adhere to the airworthiness directives outlined in AD/PT6T/4 concerning the Fuel Control Bypass Valve Diaphragm. This directive applies universally to engines identified by specific part numbers within the specified engine series, and compliance must be achieved within 50 hours of time in service following 30 November 1978, as referenced in Pratt & Whitney Aircraft of Canada Alert SB No. 5153, FAA AD 78-17-05, Amendment 39-3285, or AD/UAC-T/30. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of these regulations is national, ensuring that all civil aviation activities within Australia must conform to these standards to maintain air safety. The regulations do not specify exclusions or exemptions, thus applying to all relevant engines irrespective of their specific use or operator.

Key Provisions

The primary sections of the Pratt and Whitney Canada Turbine Engines - PT6T Series AD/PT6T/4, which concerns the Fuel Control Bypass Valve Diaphragm, are highly specific in their application and compliance requirements (sections 1 and 2). Section 1 identifies the applicable engines as those of the PT6T-3 and PT6T-6 types, which must be fitted with specific Aviation Electric Fuel Control Units. These parts are identified by particular part numbers, including P/N 2524381-5, 3244712-1 and -2, 3244717-1 thru -5, 3244721-1 thru -5, 3244735-1 thru -7, and 3244737-1 thru -7. Section 2 delineates the compliance documentation, which may include Pratt & Whitney Aircraft of Canada Alert SB No. 5153, FAA AD 78-17-05, Amendment 39-3285, or AD/UAC-T/30. The obligations imposed by this legislation on the parties and entities it governs are stringent and time-bound. Operators of aircraft equipped with the specified engines and fuel control units must ensure that the compliance measures are enacted within 50 hours of time in service following 30 November 1978 (section 3). This requirement ensures that the necessary modifications or inspections are conducted promptly to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and avoid any potential safety hazards. It is imperative that the relevant authorities or maintenance personnel are well-versed in the compliance documentation provided to execute the required actions accurately. Breaching the provisions of this directive may result in serious consequences. The enforcement of this regulation is critical to ensuring that the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) are upheld. While the specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, the overarching implication is that failure to adhere to these directives could lead to severe ramifications for both the operators and the manufacturers. The penalties could include fines, enforcement actions by CASA, or in more severe cases, criminal charges if the non-compliance results in safety incidents or accidents. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that all stakeholders comply with these directives to maintain the safety and integrity of civil aviation operations.