Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) form a comprehensive regulatory framework for ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations in Australia. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, these regulations address various aspects of aviation safety, including airworthiness directives, which are critical in mitigating identified safety risks. One such directive, AD/RB211/23, issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of CAR 1998, targets the replacement of bolts connecting the high-pressure compressor shaft to the high-pressure turbine rotor disc in specified Rolls Royce RB211 series engines. This directive was introduced to address the problem of stress corrosion leading to failures in these critical engine components. The policy objective is to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of affected aircraft by mandating the replacement of the specified bolts with those made from INCO 718 material, as per Rolls Royce Service Bulletin RB211-72-C491 Revision 1. The directive became effective on 10 August 2000, requiring compliance by 20 August 2000 for previously unaffected engines.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the mandatory replacement of certain components in Rolls Royce RB211 series turbine engines. This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to specific RB211 engines, namely the RB211-524G2, -524G3, and 524H2 series engines, to address safety concerns associated with the bolts connecting the high-pressure compressor shaft to the high-pressure turbine rotor disc. The directive mandates the replacement of these bolts with ones made from INCO 718 material to mitigate the risk of failure due to stress corrosion, as outlined in Rolls Royce Service Bulletin RB211-72-C491 Revision 1. This requirement must be fulfilled by 20 August 2000, with the directive becoming effective from 10 August 2000. The directive is issued under the authority of a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and is applicable nationwide within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring compliance with aviation safety standards across the industry.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive AD/RB211/23 applies specifically to Rolls Royce RB211-524G2, -524G3, and 524H2 series engines (Section 3). This AD mandates that the high-pressure compressor shaft to high-pressure turbine rotor disc retaining bolts must be replaced with bolts made from INCO 718 material (Section 4). This replacement must adhere to the specifications detailed in Rolls Royce Service Bulletin RB211-72-C491 Revision 1. This requirement is a response to the identified issue of stress corrosion causing failures in the operating engines, as evidenced by UK CAA AD 004-10-99 (Section 5). The directive stipulates that this action must be completed by 20 August 2000, unless already performed (Section 6). The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and precise. Aircraft operators and owners of aircraft equipped with the specified Rolls Royce engines must ensure that the mandated replacement of the bolts is carried out by the stipulated date. The directive requires adherence to the specifications set forth in the Rolls Royce Service Bulletin, ensuring that the replacement parts are of the correct material and manufactured according to the outlined procedures. Failure to comply with the directive could result in non-compliance with aviation safety standards and potentially lead to unsafe operating conditions. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive can result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance and take appropriate actions against non-compliance. While the specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed in the AD, non-compliance with CASA directives generally can result in penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which includes fines and potential prosecution. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the non-compliance and the specific circumstances of each case. Ensuring adherence to this directive is crucial to maintaining the airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft.