AD/TAY/2 Amdt 2 - Fan Blade Root - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 106, outlines directives for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products in Australia. Enacted by the Australian Government, this legislation was introduced to address the need for stringent safety measures in the aviation industry, ensuring that aircraft and their components meet necessary safety standards to prevent accidents and ensure public safety. The objective of these regulations is to mandate actions that correct any unsafe conditions identified in aircraft and aeronautical products, thereby maintaining a high level of safety within the aviation sector. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the enforcing body, with a mandate to issue and revoke airworthiness directives as required to manage and mitigate risks associated with aviation safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 106, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), sets forth Airworthiness Directives that are applicable to certain aircraft and aeronautical products within the Australian jurisdiction. One such directive, AD/TAY/2 Amdt 2, pertains to the Rolls Royce Tay Series turbine engines, namely the Tay 611-8, 620-15, 620-15/20, 650-15, 650-15/10, and 651-54 models. This directive mandates an ultrasonic inspection of the low-pressure compressor rotor blades in accordance with the requirements outlined by Rolls Royce SB TAY 72-1442 Revision 3. The directive aims to address a previously identified unsafe condition where a blade root failure in a Tay 650 engine led to cracking, and requires compliance from the date of the directive's effective issuance. The directive extends to any person or entity operating such engines within Australia and supersedes the previously issued AD/TAY/2 Amdt 1, effective from 18 March 2004. The regulation may also incorporate other requirements from relevant LBA Airworthiness Directives, as noted in CASA AD/TAY/9, thereby ensuring that all applicable safety standards are met.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive AD/TAY/2 Amdt 2 (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) applies specifically to Rolls Royce Tay 611-8, 620-15, 620-15/20, 650-15, 650-15/10, and 651-54 model engines. The AD mandates that an ultrasonic inspection be performed on the LP compressor rotor blades in accordance with Rolls Royce SB TAY 72-1442 Revision 3. This requirement is designed to address the issue of cracking at the blade roots, as evidenced by a previous failure of a Tay 650 LP compressor fan blade set. The AD specifies that the inspection must be carried out unless it has already been performed, and it must adhere to the instructions outlined in the requirement document, effective from the date of the directive. Entities governed by this AD are required to ensure that the specified engines undergo the mandated ultrasonic inspection. This obligation extends to operators and owners of aircraft equipped with the identified Rolls Royce engine models. The AD also references LBA AD D-1998-055R3, indicating that other requirements are incorporated by CASA AD/TAY/9. Compliance with this AD is mandatory, and failure to adhere to the specified inspection procedures can result in significant safety risks, potentially compromising the airworthiness of the aircraft. Violations of the requirements set forth in this Airworthiness Directive may lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth). Specifically, non-compliance with ADs is considered an offence under section 62 of the Act, which can result in substantial penalties. The maximum penalty for an individual is a fine of up to $21,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both. For corporations, the penalty can be even higher, with fines reaching up to $1,050,000 or more, depending on the severity and impact of the breach. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the AD to maintain the safety standards required by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.