AD/TPE 331/16 - Turbine Bearing Oil Inlet Tube - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, serve to regulate civil aviation safety across the nation. A significant component of these regulations is Part 39, which encompasses various airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). One such directive is AD/TPE 331/16, targeting the replacement of turbine bearing oil inlet tubes for specific models of AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) TPE 331 series turbine engines. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns related to the integrity of the oil inlet tubes in certain engine models, ensuring they meet required safety standards before being re-installed in aircraft following reconditioning. The policy objective behind these regulations is to maintain high safety standards in civil aviation, protecting both passengers and crew by mitigating the risks associated with mechanical failures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 106 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the application of AD/TPE 331/16, which pertains to the replacement of the turbine bearing oil inlet tube in AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines - TPE 331 Series. This regulation applies to certain series of the TPE-331 engines, identified by their specific serial numbers, and mandates that these engines be reconditioned before installation in an aircraft. The directive is applicable to all such engines that have been reconditioned after 31 March 1974. The regulation is enforced under the Commonwealth of Australia and thus has a national jurisdictional reach, ensuring that the specified safety measures are uniformly applied across all states and territories. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the text, implying that the directive applies broadly to the specified engine series. The regulation may be extended or further specified through subordinate instruments, although such extensions or specifications are not detailed in the provided text.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, contain provisions for airworthiness directives that mandate the replacement of turbine bearing oil inlet tubes in AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) TPE 331 Series engines (section 1). This directive, AD/TPE 331/16, applies to certain models of the TPE 331 engines identified by specific series numbers before designated serial numbers (section 3). The directive requires the replacement of the turbine bearing oil inlet tube for these engines before their installation in an aircraft following reconditioning after 31 March 1974 (section 4). The compliance document referenced is AiResearch SB TPE-331-79-0005 or AD/AIR-T/19 (section 5). The obligations imposed by these regulations include ensuring that the specified models of the TPE 331 engines undergo the required replacement of the turbine bearing oil inlet tube. This must be done before these engines are installed in aircraft following reconditioning and after the date of 31 March 1974. Compliance with these directives is mandatory and must be verified through the referenced documents, AiResearch SB TPE-331-79-0005 or AD/AIR-T/19. Any non-compliance could potentially result in the engine not being deemed airworthy, thereby affecting the safety and certification of the aircraft. Failure to adhere to the requirements of this airworthiness directive may lead to serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can be considered an offence. The specific penalties for such breaches are not detailed within the provided text, but generally, these can include fines and potential criminal charges, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance. The exact penalties would be determined in accordance with the broader civil aviation legislation and applicable regulations.