AD/TPE 331/14 Amdt 1 - Fuel Control Drive - Inspection and Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically amended in 1996, address issues related to the airworthiness of AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines of the TPE 331 series. Enacted by the Australian Government under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, these regulations are intended to ensure that aircraft and aviation equipment, including turbine engines, meet stringent safety standards. The policy objective behind these regulations is to enhance aviation safety by mandating regular inspections and maintenance of critical engine components, thus preventing potential failures that could compromise flight safety. This particular amendment to the regulations focuses on the inspection and lubrication of fuel pump drive shaft splines to mitigate wear, ensuring continued operational reliability and safety of the specified engine models.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 106, addresses the safety standards applicable to civil aviation operations within Australia, including the operation and maintenance of aircraft engines. This legislation mandates that certain types of AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines, specifically the TPE 331 Series, must adhere to specified airworthiness directives. The regulations apply to a broad range of TPE 331 engines, including various models, ensuring a comprehensive approach to engine maintenance. The scope of this legislation extends to any person or entity operating these specific engines, which includes airlines, maintenance organisations, and individual aircraft operators within Australia. The directive requires the inspection and lubrication of fuel pump drive shaft splines, and compliance with the specified service bulletins, to mitigate the risk of wear in these critical components. This directive applies nationally, and its enforcement is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within this directive, ensuring a uniform standard across all applicable engines. Subordinate instruments may further detail compliance procedures and additional technical specifications to ensure the safety and reliability of the aircraft engines covered by this regulation.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, contains an Airworthiness Directive (AD) addressing AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines of the TPE 331 series. This directive, identified as AD/TPE 331/14 Amendment 1, pertains to the inspection and replacement of the fuel control drive. The AD applies to a range of engine models, including TPE-331-25AA, -25DA, 25FA, TPE-331-43A, -47A, -55A, -61A, and others, unless they incorporate certain Service Bulletins (SB) (section 1). The main requirement of this directive is that the fuel pump drive shaft splines must be inspected and lubricated in accordance with Garrett (AiResearch) Service Bulletin No. TPE/TSE 331-72-0027, Revision 9 (section 2). Compliance with this directive involves adhering to the specified inspection and lubrication procedures for the fuel pump drive shaft splines as outlined in the Garrett (AiResearch) Service Bulletin. The AD is clear that compliance with an older directive, AD/AIR-T/17E, satisfies the intent of this AD, and it references FAA AD 73-26-07 R3 for additional guidance (section 3). The directive also notes that it supersedes an older AD, AD/AIR-T/17E, and becomes effective from 25 April 1996. The background to this directive reveals that wear in the fuel pump drive shaft splines has been observed, necessitating a periodic inspection of the splines area (section 4). Entities governed by this AD, such as aircraft operators, maintenance organisations, and individuals responsible for the maintenance of TPE 331 series engines, must ensure that the specified inspections and lubrications are conducted as per the directive. Failure to comply with this AD may result in the engine not meeting airworthiness standards, potentially leading to operational restrictions or grounding of the aircraft until the compliance issues are resolved (section 5). Breach of this directive may not only have direct safety implications but also legal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can impose penalties for non-compliance, including fines or other enforcement actions. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD, they are consistent with the broader regulatory framework under which CASA operates, and can include significant financial penalties (section 6). The seriousness of non-compliance underscores the importance of adhering to the AD to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.