AD/TPE 331/24 - Propeller Pitch Control Sleeve - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, establish and enforce the safety standards for civil aviation within Australia. Enacted by the Parliament of Australia, these regulations aim to ensure that all civil aviation activities, including the maintenance and operation of aircraft, adhere to stringent safety standards to protect public safety and national security. One such regulation, AD/TPE 331/24, addresses the replacement of propeller pitch control sleeves for AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines in the TPE 331 series, aiming to mitigate the risk of engine failure by ensuring compliance with specified technical standards and timelines. This directive applies to all TPE-331-1, -2, -3, -5, and -6 series engines, requiring adherence to either AiResearch Service Bulletin No. TPE-331-72-0115, Rev. 1, Federal Aviation Administration AD No. 78-05-02, Amendment No. 39-3145, or AD/AIR-T/33. Compliance with this directive must be achieved before the engines are reinstalled in an aircraft after 1 April 1979 or within 500 hours of time in service after 30 April 1978, whichever occurs first. The overarching policy objective is to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft and ensure the safety of all persons involved in civil aviation activities.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, addresses the safety and airworthiness directives applicable to aircraft engines, with a focus on AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines of the TPE 331 series. The regulations mandate the replacement of the propeller pitch control sleeve for TPE-331-1, -2, -3, -5, and -6 series engines, ensuring compliance with specified technical bulletins and airworthiness directives. These directives are mandatory for engines installed in aircraft after 1 April 1979 or within 500 hours of time in service following 30 April 1978, whichever comes first. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of these regulations is nationwide, governing all civil aviation activities within the Commonwealth of Australia. The application extends to all aircraft operators, maintenance providers, and other entities involved in the operation and maintenance of aircraft equipped with the specified turbine engines, ensuring adherence to safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, detail the requirements for airworthiness directives, including the AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines - TPE 331 Series, as outlined in AD/TPE 331/24 (section 1). This airworthiness directive pertains to the replacement of the propeller pitch control sleeve for all TPE-331-1, -2, -3, -5, and -6 series engines. The directive is applicable to engines that are to be installed in an aircraft after 1 April 1979, or within 500 hours of time in service after 30 April 1978, whichever occurs first (section 3). Compliance with this directive is mandated through references to AiResearch SB No. TPE-331-72-0115, Rev. 1, FAA AD No. 78-05-02, amendment No. 39-3145, or AD/AIR-T/33 (section 2). The obligations imposed by this airworthiness directive are clear and specific. Engine operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the propeller pitch control sleeve is replaced in accordance with the referenced service bulletins and airworthiness directives (section 2). This requirement ensures that all TPE 331 series engines meet the necessary safety standards before being used in aircraft operations (section 3). Operators must verify that the replacement is performed by authorised personnel and that all documentation is kept up to date and available for inspection by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (section 1). Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 establish various offences and penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. In particular, section 91 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 outlines the penalties for breaches of regulations, which may include fines and imprisonment for individuals, and fines for corporations. The maximum penalty for an individual offender can be up to $21,000 and/or imprisonment for one year, while the maximum penalty for a corporate offender can be up to $1,050,000 (section 91). Additionally, CASA may issue directives to suspend or revoke an airworthiness certificate if an aircraft is found to be non-compliant, which could result in the grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are taken (section 91).