AD/PW100/3 - Fuel Pump Outlet Filter Cover

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, incorporates Airworthiness Directives to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. One such directive, AD/PW100/3, pertains to the Pratt and Whitney Canada Turbine Engines of the PW100 Series, mandating modifications to the engine driven fuel pump outlet filter cover assembly. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns identified in an in-flight fuel leak event involving an Australian registered DHC-8 aircraft, where the source of the leak was determined to be a cut fuel pump outlet filter cover O-ring. The directive aligns with the technical requirements of Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-90-21 and references Netherlands Airworthiness Directive 90-130. Compliance with this directive was required prior to 30 April 1991, reflecting the policy objective of enhancing aviation safety by preventing potential fuel leaks and associated hazards. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Australian Government, administered through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, to ensure that all PW100 series engines meet specific airworthiness standards and to mitigate risks identified through international safety advisories and incident investigations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to all PW100 series engines used in Australian aviation. This legislation mandates that the engines must be modified to meet the technical requirements outlined in Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-90-21. This requirement is a response to an in-flight fuel leak incident involving an Australian registered DHC-8, where the source of the leak was identified as a damaged fuel pump outlet filter cover O-ring. The directive is applicable to all PW100 series engines, and compliance is required prior to 30 April 1991. The directive extends its application by referencing the Netherlands Airworthiness Directive 90-130, thereby encompassing international standards and practices. There are no exclusions or exemptions mentioned in the directive, and it applies uniformly across the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive does not specify any thresholds but mandates compliance with the prescribed technical requirements.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly in relation to the Pratt and Whitney Canada Turbine Engines - PW100 Series, are set out in Part 39 - 106, which pertains to Airworthiness Directives. Section 106.05(1) of the Act specifies the applicability of the directive to all PW100 series engines. This directive mandates that any modifications to the engine-driven fuel pump outlet filter cover assembly must be carried out in accordance with the technical requirements outlined in Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-90-21 (section 106.05(2)). This is to ensure uniformity and safety standards are met across all affected engines, regardless of where they are registered or operated. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act on the parties and entities it governs are quite specific. Engine operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the modifications to the fuel pump outlet filter cover assembly are completed before the specified compliance date of 30 April 1991. This includes sourcing the necessary parts, conducting the required modifications, and ensuring that the assembly is correctly installed and functional. Non-compliance with these directives could potentially lead to the grounding of aircraft, as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) could deem the engines unsafe for operation. Any breach of these requirements could lead to significant consequences. According to section 106.05(3), failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directives can result in various civil or criminal penalties. The specific penalties are not detailed in this excerpt, but typically, non-compliance with aviation safety regulations can lead to fines, suspension of operating certificates, or even criminal charges in severe cases. The exact penalties would depend on the severity and frequency of the breach, but they are intended to ensure that all parties adhere strictly to the safety standards set forth in the regulations.