COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines - TFE731 Series
AD/TFE731/24 First and Second Stage Low Pressure Turbine Discs
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Applicability: TFE731-2 and -3 series engines fitted with first and/or second stage low pressure turbine discs as listed by serial number in Table 1 of Allied Signal Aerospace Service Bulletin TFE731-A72-3544.
Requirement: Remove first and second stage low pressure turbine discs in accordance with Allied Signal Aerospace Service Bulletin TFE731-A72-3544.
Compliance: Effective 6 January 1994; Within 100 hours time in service or at next access to affected parts, whichever occurs first.
Background: This Directive requires the removal from service of certain first and second stage low pressure turbine discs. The requirement follows advice, certain first and second stage discs may have been subjected to incorrect heat treatment during the manufacturing process.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for civil aviation safety, including the management of airworthiness directives to ensure aircraft safety and compliance. Among these is the AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines - TFE731 Series directive (AD/TFE731/24), introduced to address specific concerns regarding the first and second stage low pressure turbine discs in TFE731-2 and -3 series engines. This directive was necessitated by the potential for these discs to have been subjected to incorrect heat treatment during manufacturing, posing a risk to airworthiness. The policy objective is to mandate the removal of these potentially defective discs to mitigate safety risks and ensure the continued airworthiness of affected aircraft. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with a requirement to remove the specified discs within 100 hours of the directive's effective date of 6 January 1994, or at the next access to the affected parts, whichever comes first.
This legislative instrument underscores the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s commitment to maintaining stringent safety standards within the aviation industry, ensuring that all aircraft operating within Australian airspace adhere to the highest safety requirements.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, apply to the AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines - TFE731 Series. The regulation targets TFE731-2 and -3 series engines that are fitted with first and/or second stage low pressure turbine discs, as detailed by serial number in Table 1 of Allied Signal Aerospace Service Bulletin TFE731-A72-3544. This directive is pertinent to aircraft operators and maintenance personnel who handle these specific engines. Its jurisdictional reach is nationwide, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia, as it is a federal regulation overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds but mandates the removal of the affected turbine discs within specific time constraints, aiming to ensure safety in aviation operations. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and is enforced to prevent potential risks associated with the identified manufacturing defect.
Key Provisions
The AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines - TFE731 Series Airworthiness Directive (AD/TFE731/24) sets forth specific requirements for the removal of first and second stage low pressure turbine discs from the applicable engines. According to section (1), these directives apply to TFE731-2 and -3 series engines that are equipped with the specified discs listed by serial number in Table 1 of Allied Signal Aerospace Service Bulletin TFE731-A72-3544. Section (2) mandates that these turbine discs be removed from service in accordance with the instructions provided in the same service bulletin.
Operators and owners of the affected engines are required to ensure that the specified turbine discs are removed and replaced as per the directive. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, with the effective date set as 6 January 1994. The compliance timeline stipulates that the removal must occur within 100 hours of the engine's time in service or at the next scheduled maintenance access to the affected parts, whichever comes first. This directive aims to enhance safety by addressing potential issues related to the manufacturing process of the turbine discs.
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive may result in the continued operation of engines with potentially faulty turbine discs, which could lead to significant safety risks. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces these regulations strictly, and any non-compliance may result in severe consequences, including grounding of the aircraft, fines, and potential legal action. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to the specified timelines and procedures to maintain the airworthiness and safety standards of the aircraft.
The penalties for non-compliance with the AD/TFE731/24 can be severe, reflecting the critical nature of the directive. The maximum penalties for contravening these regulations can include substantial fines and other sanctions as prescribed by the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and other relevant legislation. Additionally, operators may face operational restrictions, and in extreme cases, the aircraft may be prohibited from flying until the required compliance measures are met. These stringent measures are in place to ensure that all necessary actions are taken to mitigate any potential safety hazards.