AD/RRT-S/10 - HP2 Turbine Disc Locating Sleeve

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. One specific legislative instrument under these regulations, F2006B06679, addresses the issue of airworthiness directives for Rolls Royce Turbine Engines of the Spey series, particularly focusing on the HP2 turbine disc locating sleeve. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of uncontained turbine blade release events, which can pose significant safety hazards. The policy objective is to ensure compliance with the safety standards set forth by Rolls Royce and the Netherlands Authority for Aerospace and Transport, aligning with international safety practices to protect both passengers and aviation personnel. The enactment of this directive, applicable to various Spey engine models, mandates the replacement of HP turbine stage 2 disc retaining sleeves according to specified cycle lives, as outlined in Rolls Royce Service Bulletin SB Sp 72-932 Rev 1. This follows the occurrence of a critical safety incident attributed to the failure of the turbine disc retaining sleeve. Compliance with these directives is crucial to maintaining the airworthiness of affected aircraft, thereby ensuring the continued safety of civil aviation operations in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 106, apply to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives concerning Rolls Royce Turbine Engines of the Spey Series. This legislation mandates that the directive applies to certain models of Rolls Royce Spey Series engines, including the Spey 506-14, 506-14A, 506-14D, 511-5W, 511-8, 511-14, 511-14W, 512-14DW, 512-14E, 555-15, 555-15H, 555-15N, and 555-15P. The legislation requires these specific engine models to undergo actions as stipulated in the Rolls Royce SB Sp 72-932 Rev 1 and Fokker SB F28/72-6. Compliance with the Netherlands AD Fokker F28 BLA nr. 87-62 is also noted. This directive is issued in response to a documented uncontained turbine blade release event caused by the failure of the HP turbine stage 2 disc retaining sleeve, necessitating replacement of the sleeves at the cycle lives specified in the requirement document. The scope of this legislation is national, applying across all jurisdictions within Australia where these engines are in operation.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39, Section 106, mandate the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. One such directive, AD/RRT-S/10, concerns Rolls Royce Turbine Engines of the Spey series, particularly focusing on the HP2 Turbine Disc Locating Sleeve (section numbers referenced in parentheses for clarity). This directive applies to a range of Spey engines, including models 506-14, 506-14A, 506-14D, 511-5W, 511-8, 511-14, 511-14W, 512-14DW, 512-14E, 555-15, 555-15H, 555-15N, and 555-15P. The directive requires the replacement of the HP turbine stage 2 disc retaining sleeves in accordance with the Rolls Royce Service Bulletin SB Sp 72-932 Rev 1. This requirement is critical as it stems from a documented incident of an uncontained turbine blade release, which was caused by a failure in the disc retaining sleeve. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and precise. Operators and owners of the specified Rolls Royce Spey engines must ensure compliance with the Rolls Royce Service Bulletin SB Sp 72-932 Rev 1, which details the replacement of the HP turbine stage 2 disc retaining sleeves. Compliance is to be achieved in line with the Requirement Document and referenced Fokker Service Bulletin F28/72-6, as well as the Netherlands AD Fokker F28 BLA nr. 87-62. This directive necessitates that the replacement be carried out at the cycle lives specified in the requirement document, ensuring that the engines meet the necessary safety standards to prevent similar incidents in the future. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 provide that non-compliance with an AD may result in the aircraft being considered unairworthy, which can lead to significant operational disruptions and potential legal repercussions for the operators. The specific civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the directive but generally, non-compliance with CASA regulations can lead to fines and other enforcement actions. The severity of the penalties can vary, but they are intended to ensure that all parties adhere to the highest safety standards to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the aviation system.