AD/TPE 331/20 - Replacement of Reduction Gear Bearing Carrier Bolts, Installation of Lock Plate and Oil Transfer Tube Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the legislative instrument F2006B07429, pertain specifically to Part 39, which addresses airworthiness directives. This legislative instrument was enacted to ensure the safety and reliability of AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines - TPE 331 Series by mandating certain modifications and inspections. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued this directive to address issues related to the reduction gear bearing carrier bolts, the installation of lock plates, and the inspection of oil transfer tubes. The objective of this legislative instrument is to enhance the safety and operational integrity of the specified turbine engines, thereby reducing the risk of mechanical failures and ensuring compliance with international safety standards. The Australian Government, through the enactment of this legislative instrument by CASA, aims to enforce stringent safety measures for civil aviation. By specifying the applicability to particular engine models and mandating adherence to referenced service bulletins and airworthiness directives, the legislation seeks to maintain high safety standards within the aviation industry. Compliance with these directives is essential for operators of the affected turbine engines to ensure they meet the regulatory requirements set forth by CASA.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to certain AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines of the TPE 331 Series. This regulation mandates the replacement of reduction gear bearing carrier bolts, the installation of a lock plate, and the inspection of the oil transfer tube. The directive is applicable to the specified engine models, including TPE-331-1-101B, F, -1-151A, K, G, -2-201A, -5-251C, K, -6-251M/252M, -6-252B, -3U-303G, -3UW-303G, -3U-307G, identified by their serial numbers in the reference document, and any additional engines that have incorporated Service Bulletin TPE-331-72-0064. Compliance with the directive is required as per the instructions outlined in AiResearch Service Bulletin SB-331-72-0092, Revision 5, or the Federal Aviation Administration's AD No. 76-16-01, or AD/AIR-T/25E. The scope of the regulation is national, as it is issued under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia, and applies to all civil aviation operations within Australia. There are no specific exclusions or exemptions mentioned in the directive, meaning that all specified engines must adhere to these requirements.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines - TPE 331 Series, detail the necessary actions for compliance and safety. Section 106.010 outlines the requirement for the replacement of reduction gear bearing carrier bolts, installation of lock plates, and inspection of the oil transfer tube on specified TPE-331 engines (section 106.010). Compliance with this directive is mandatory for all engines listed by their serial numbers, as well as any additional engines that had Service Bulletin (SB) TPE-331-72-0064 incorporated. The obligations imposed by this directive require operators of the affected TPE-331 engines to adhere to the instructions provided in the reference documents, which include AiResearch SB-331-72-0092, Rev. 5, FAA AD No. 76-16-01, or AD/AIR-T/25E (section 106.010). These documents provide detailed procedures for the replacement and inspection tasks mandated by the directive. Operators must ensure that all required actions are completed within the specified timeframe to maintain the airworthiness of the engines. Failure to comply with the provisions of the directive may result in severe consequences. Section 106.010 indicates that non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to civil penalties, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until the issues are rectified. Additionally, operators may face criminal charges if their non-compliance results in safety hazards or incidents, potentially leading to imprisonment for responsible individuals. The severity of the penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the specified directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.