COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Pratt and Whitney Canada Turbine Engines - PT6T Series
AD/PT6T/5 P3 Air Filter 10/85
Applicability: PT6T-3, -3B, -6 and ST6T-75, -76 with S/Nos. as per SB No. 5206, Rev. 3. Document: 1. Pratt & Whitney Aircraft of Canada SB No. 5124, Rev. 5; and
2. Pratt & Whitney Aircraft of Canada SB No. 5180, Rev. 2; or
3. Pratt & Whitney Aircraft of Canada SB No. 5206, Rev. 3; or
4. AD/UAC-T/33 Amdt 3.
Note: Canadian Airworthiness Directive No. CF-83-04 refers.
Compliance: Not later than next overhaul.
Background: This Directive is amended in order to specify Service Bulletin No. 5206, Rev. 3 as an alternative means of compliance and to reference the Canadian Airworthiness Directive concerned.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 106, establish a comprehensive framework for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft and associated equipment within Australian airspace. One specific aspect of this regulation is the Airworthiness Directive AD/PT6T/5 P3 Air Filter, which was introduced to address issues related to the air filters of Pratt and Whitney Canada Turbine Engines, specifically the PT6T Series. This directive aims to maintain the safety and reliability of these engines by ensuring that the air filters are maintained to specified standards, as outlined in various Pratt and Whitney Aircraft of Canada Service Bulletins. The objective is to mitigate risks associated with engine performance and reliability, thereby ensuring the continued safe operation of affected aircraft.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the enacting body responsible for this directive, operating under the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The policy objective behind AD/PT6T/5 P3 is to provide clear and alternative compliance pathways for maintaining the air filters of specified engines, thereby enhancing the overall safety and airworthiness of the aircraft in which these engines are installed. This legislative instrument reflects a commitment to harmonising Australian aviation safety standards with international practices, particularly in alignment with the directives issued by Canadian authorities.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 106, apply to the Pratt and Whitney Canada Turbine Engines of the PT6T Series, encompassing models PT6T-3, -3B, -6, and ST6T-75, -76, provided they meet the specified serial numbers as detailed in Service Bulletin (SB) No. 5206, Rev. 3. This regulation mandates compliance with the referenced service bulletins or alternative amendments to ensure airworthiness. The applicability extends to any person or entity operating aircraft equipped with the aforementioned engines within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia. This directive ensures that maintenance and compliance with the specified service bulletins or amendments are mandatory, not only for ensuring the safety of the aircraft but also for adhering to international standards as outlined by Canadian Airworthiness Directive No. CF-83-04. The requirement for compliance must be met no later than the next scheduled overhaul of the engine.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, specifically section 106, pertains to airworthiness directives for the Pratt and Whitney Canada Turbine Engines of the PT6T series. This section mandates that certain Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6T engines, including the PT6T-3, -3B, -6, and ST6T-75, -76, with specific serial numbers as outlined in Service Bulletin (SB) No. 5206, Revision 3, must comply with the requirements set forth in this directive. The compliance must be achieved no later than the next engine overhaul. The directive references several Pratt and Whitney Aircraft of Canada service bulletins (SB No. 5124, Rev. 5; SB No. 5180, Rev. 2; SB No. 5206, Rev. 3) as means of compliance, as well as Amendment 3 of AD/UAC-T/33. It also acknowledges Canadian Airworthiness Directive No. CF-83-04.
The entities governed by this regulation, primarily aircraft operators and maintenance providers, must ensure that the specified Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6T engines are inspected and, if necessary, repaired or replaced in accordance with the referenced service bulletins and amendments. This involves adhering to the detailed technical instructions provided in these documents to maintain the airworthiness of the engines. Operators must keep records of compliance, including the details of inspections and any actions taken to ensure conformity with the directive. Maintenance providers must be qualified and authorised to perform the required work, and they must certify that the work has been carried out correctly and to the required standards.
Failure to comply with this airworthiness directive can result in severe penalties. Under section 98 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, an aircraft operator who fails to comply with an airworthiness directive can be subject to significant fines. The maximum penalty for contravening this regulation is $275,000 for a corporation and $55,000 for an individual. Furthermore, continued operation of a non-compliant aircraft can lead to enforcement actions, including grounding of the aircraft, which can have significant operational and financial consequences for the operator. Non-compliance not only risks these penalties but also potentially compromises the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.