Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), enacted by the Australian Parliament, form the foundational legal framework for civil aviation in Australia. This legislative instrument plays a crucial role in maintaining safety standards within the industry. One particular legislative instrument, F2006B07247, addresses specific safety concerns related to AlliedSignal (Lycoming) Turbine Engines - T53 Series, aiming to prevent uncontained engine failures. This directive aligns with the overarching policy objective of ensuring the safety of air travel by requiring the removal of certain gas producer and power turbine components to mitigate potential risks associated with these engine parts. By adhering to the schedules and requirements detailed in the FAA AD 87-12-05, this regulation ensures that affected components are removed from service in a timely manner, thereby safeguarding the integrity and safety of air operations in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, pertains to the safety directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislative instrument applies to the AlliedSignal (Lycoming) Turbine Engines - T53 Series, more precisely to T5313B turboshaft engines. The regulation mandates the removal of certain gas producer and power turbine discs and spacers from service to prevent uncontained engine failures, following the Federal Aviation Administration's AD 87-12-05 Amendment 39-5640. The directive applies nationally across Australia, ensuring that all operators of T5313B turboshaft engines comply with the specified timelines and actions. The scope of this regulation includes all relevant aircraft and aviation entities operating within the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive does not explicitly exclude any entities or provide exemptions, indicating a broad application to the relevant industry. The regulation extends its reach through subordinate instruments that may detail specific compliance schedules and further actions required by operators of the affected engines.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 106, includes the AlliedSignal (Lycoming) Turbine Engines - T53 Series AD/T53/18 directive concerning the gas producer and power turbine discs and spacers (AD/T53/18). This directive applies to T5313B turboshaft engines. The requirement is to remove certain components from service, specifically GPT disc P/N 1-100-133-01, PT disc P/N 1-140-272-01, GPT spacer P/N 1-100-294-03, PT spacer P/N 1-140-169-03, and PT spacer P/N 1-140-169-04, in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 87-12-05 Amendment 39-5640. This directive references Lycoming Service Bulletin No. 0020 Revision 2 dated 3 January 1986, which provides the detailed requirement documentation for AD/T53/1 Amendment 1. Compliance with this directive must be achieved according to the schedules detailed in FAA AD 87-12-05, Paragraphs (a) to (e), effective from 20 July 1987. The directive aims to address the issue of uncontained engine failures by reducing the service cyclic life for the GPT disc and the PT second stage disc and establishing a cyclic life limit for the GPT and PT spacers. The obligations imposed by this directive require operators of T5313B turboshaft engines to ensure the specified components are removed from service as per the FAA AD 87-12-05 Amendment 39-5640. This involves identifying the affected components within the engine and scheduling their removal in line with the directives and service bulletins provided. Operators must adhere to the timelines and procedures set forth in the FAA directive to maintain the safety and airworthiness of their aircraft. Compliance with this directive is critical to preventing potential engine failures that could lead to severe safety risks. Non-compliance with the AD/T53/18 directive may result in serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, failure to adhere to airworthiness directives can lead to penalties for the operator. The maximum penalty for non-compliance can include fines and potential imprisonment. Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement actions, including grounding of aircraft until compliance is achieved, which can disrupt operations and result in financial losses. Additionally, continued operation of aircraft with non-compliant components poses a significant risk of uncontained engine failures, which can endanger the safety of passengers, crew, and the public. Therefore, strict adherence to this directive is mandatory to ensure the safety and continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft.