AD/TPE 331/43 Amdt 2 - Fuel Manifold Assembly P/N 3102469-2

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 106, includes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives aimed at ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft engines. One such directive, AD/TPE 331/43 Amendment 2, addresses issues with the fuel manifold assembly for the AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines TPE 331 series. This directive was introduced to address problems identified with certain fuel manifold assemblies that could compromise the safety of the engine and, consequently, the aircraft. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, the policy objective of this regulation is to maintain the highest standards of safety within the civil aviation industry. The directive requires compliance within a specific timeframe to ensure that affected engines are modified or replaced to meet safety standards, thereby preventing potential hazards associated with non-compliant components.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, outlines the requirements for airworthiness directives, which are legally enforceable rules and orders established by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the continued safe operation of aircraft. Within this framework, AD/TPE 331/43 Amendment 2 applies to TPE331-8, -10, -11, and -12 series engines as identified in the Allied-Signal Aerospace Company (Garrett Engine Division) Alert Service Bulletin TPE-A73-0198 Revision 1 dated 10 January 1992. The directive mandates compliance with the specified requirements to address issues related to the fuel manifold assembly. This directive is applicable to engines that have accumulated 50 hours of time in service after 23 May 1996, before the installation of Electronic Control Units (ECUs) or replacement fuel manifold assemblies. The directive applies on a Commonwealth level and is binding for all relevant parties within the Australian jurisdiction, including aircraft operators, maintenance providers, and other stakeholders involved in the maintenance and operation of these specific engine models.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. One such directive, AD/TPE 331/43 Amendment 2, pertains to the AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines - TPE 331 Series. This directive addresses the Fuel Manifold Assembly P/N 3102469-2, applicable to TPE331-8, -10, -11, and -12 series engines, as identified in the Allied-Signal Aerospace Company (Garrett Engine Division) Alert Service Bulletin TPE-A73-0198 Revision 1 dated 10 January 1992. The directive mandates action in accordance with the requirements of this bulletin, which supersedes FAA AD 92-02-19 and is referred to by FAA AD 93-02-01. For other TPE 331 engine models, AD/TPE 331/51 is referenced. The directive requires compliance to be achieved within 50 hours of time in service after 23 May 1996 for engines that are already installed, and before the installation of any Electronic Control Units (ECUs) or replacement fuel manifold assemblies. This action is to be taken unless it has already been completed. The directive has its roots in FAA AD 92-02-19, which originally required the removal of Stratoflex manifold assemblies carrying specific data on identification tags, as well as manifolds that did not have such tags. However, subsequent information from the FAA indicates that the affected fuel manifold assemblies without identification tags were manufactured before the period of the suspect items, leading to their removal from the current requirement. Entities governed by this directive must ensure that the specified actions are undertaken within the stipulated timeframes. This involves inspecting and, if necessary, removing or replacing the relevant fuel manifold assemblies as per the guidelines provided in the referenced Alert Service Bulletin. Compliance is crucial to maintaining the airworthiness of the affected engines and ensuring safety in aviation operations. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive may result in civil or criminal consequences. The exact penalties are not specified within the directive itself, but under Australian aviation law, non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to significant fines, enforcement actions, or even criminal charges in cases of gross negligence or willful disregard of safety regulations. The severity of the penalties will depend on the specific circumstances of the breach and the potential risk posed to aviation safety.