AD/RRT-S/13 Amdt 1 - Low Pressure Turbine Stage 2 NGV Seal Support

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Legislation au F2006B06681 In force Legislative Instrument

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COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

 



Rolls Royce Turbine Engines - Spey Series

 

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE


For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/RRT-S/13 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

 

AD/RRT-S/13

Amdt 1


Low Pressure Turbine Stage 2 NGV Seal Support 9/2000

 

Applicability: Rolls Royce Spey 555-15, -15H, -15N, and -15P engines.

 

Requirement: Modify low pressure turbine stage 2 nozzle guide vane and seal support assemblies in accordance with Rolls Royce Spey Service Bulletin Sp72-1053 Revision 3 (Mod 6403).

 

Note 1: CAA (UK) AD 008-08-97 also refers.

 

Note 2: Compliance with earlier revisions of SB Sp72-1053 satisfies the intent of this amendment to the AD.

 

Compliance: No later than 20 January 2001.

 

This amendment becomes effective on 7 September 2000.

 

Background:  This Directive is prompted by reports of stiff rotors and engine seizure associated with thermally induced locking of stage 2 LPT nozzle guide vanes to the vane support and seal assembly, which can lead to the inability of the seal to centralise resulting in excessive eccentricity and unsatisfactory seal rubs or rotor seizure.

 

This amendment extends the compliance period.

 

The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 26 March 1998.


 

Eugene Paul Holzapfel

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 31 July 2000

 

 

 


The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 August 2000.

 

 

 

 

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through the legislative instrument F2006B06681, address the issue of maintaining the airworthiness of Rolls Royce Spey Series turbine engines, specifically targeting the low-pressure turbine stage 2 nozzle guide vane (NGV) seal support. This regulation was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to ensure that the unsafe condition of engine seizure due to thermally induced locking of the stage 2 LPT nozzle guide vanes is corrected. The objective is to prevent failures that could lead to excessive eccentricity, unsatisfactory seal rubs, or rotor seizure, thereby enhancing aviation safety. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued this directive, requiring modifications to the NGV and seal support assemblies in accordance with specific Rolls Royce service bulletins, to be completed by a specified compliance date.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 106, governs the airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in the Commonwealth of Australia. These regulations apply to the maintenance and operation of aircraft and aeronautical products within Australia's jurisdiction, ensuring compliance with safety standards. The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/RRT-S/13 pertains to Rolls Royce Spey 555-15, -15H, -15N, and -15P engines, mandating modifications to the low pressure turbine stage 2 nozzle guide vane and seal support assemblies to address safety concerns such as stiff rotors and engine seizure. The directive requires adherence to the modifications outlined in Rolls Royce Service Bulletin Sp72-1053 Revision 3 (Mod 6403), with an extended compliance period set to no later than 20 January 2001. This directive became effective on 7 September 2000 and was subsequently notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 August 2000, ensuring all relevant parties are informed of the required safety measures.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) primarily concern the applicability, requirements, and compliance timelines for the modification of Rolls Royce Spey Series turbine engines (sections 1, 2, and 3 respectively). Specifically, the AD applies to Rolls Royce Spey 555-15, -15H, -15N, and -15P engines (section 1). The requirement is that these engines must have their low pressure turbine stage 2 nozzle guide vane and seal support assemblies modified in line with Rolls Royce Spey Service Bulletin Sp72-1053 Revision 3 (Mod 6403) (section 2). This modification is necessary to address issues related to stiff rotors and engine seizure caused by thermally induced locking of stage 2 LPT nozzle guide vanes, which can result in seal failure and rotor seizure (section 2, Background). The directive stipulates that the modifications must be completed by 20 January 2001 (section 3). The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties and entities it governs. Primarily, it requires the owners or operators of aircraft equipped with the specified Rolls Royce Spey Series engines to ensure that the modifications outlined in the directive are carried out. This includes adhering to the instructions provided in Rolls Royce Service Bulletin Sp72-1053 Revision 3 (Mod 6403) and ensuring that the modifications are completed within the specified timeframe of no later than 20 January 2001. Non-compliance with the AD could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to grounding and other regulatory actions. There are significant consequences for failure to comply with the requirements set out in the AD. While the specific legal penalties are not detailed in the text provided, non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives can lead to severe penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. These could include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity and circumstances of the non-compliance. The AD itself does not specify maximum penalties, but it is understood that failure to adhere to such directives can result in substantial legal and financial repercussions.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.