AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive AD/TPE 331/50 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines - TPE 331 Series
AD/TPE 331/50
Amdt 1
First Stage Compressor Impeller 1/2003
Applicability: All TPE331 series engines fitted with part number 896223-1, -2, -3, -7 or part number 3107109-1, -2, -4 first stage compressor impellers.
Requirement: | 1. | Weld repaired impellers: |
| | Remove from service weld repaired first stage compressor impellers detailed by serial number in Honeywell Service Bulletin TPE331-A72-2083 Revision 1. |
| 2. | Other then weld repaired impellers: |
| | Remove from service first stage compressor impellers in accordance with Honeywell Service Bulletin TPE331-A72-0971 Revision 2. |
Compliance: | 1. | For weld repaired impellers: |
| | a. As detailed in Honeywell Service Bulletin TPE331-A72-2083 Revision 1 |
with a revised effective date of 23 January 2003; or
b. As detailed in Honeywell Service Bulletin TPE331-A72-0971 Revision 2 with a revised effective date of 23 January 2003.
Whichever provides for the least number of cycles before removal.
2. For impellers other than weld repaired impellers:
- As detailed in Honeywell Service Bulletin TPE331-A72-0971 Revision 2 with a revised effective date of 23 January 2003.
This Amendment becomes effective on 23 January 2003.
Background: This Directive has been issued to require removal from service of certain first stage compressor impellers. The requireme nt follows advice of an uncontained first stage compressor failure event. Impellers removed from service in accordance with this Directive are to be subjected to an inspection by AlliedSignal and if appropriate, reworking. Serviceable impellers will be returned to service with a nominated cycle life remaining.
AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines - TPE 331 Series
AD/TPE 331/50 Amdt 1 (continued)
This Amendment introduces compliance requirements for weld repaired first stage compressor impellers identified by serial number.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 9 November 1995.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 28 November 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 18 December 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Airworthiness Directive AD/TPE 331/50 in 1995 to address the safety concerns associated with the first stage compressor impellers in the TPE 331 series engines. This directive was aimed at mitigating the risk of uncontained failures in these components, which could potentially lead to catastrophic in-flight incidents. In 2003, an amendment to the directive was issued to further refine the requirements for the removal and inspection of these impellers, particularly those that had been weld repaired. The amendment was enacted to respond to an uncontained first stage compressor failure event and to ensure that any serviceable impellers returned to operation had a designated cycle life remaining. This legislative instrument was issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, reflecting the policy objective of maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety in Australia.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/TPE 331/50 Amdt 1 applies specifically to TPE 331 series engines that are equipped with designated first stage compressor impellers, namely part numbers 896223-1, -2, -3, -7 or 3107109-1, -2, -4. This applies irrespective of whether these impellers have undergone weld repairs or not. The directive is issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is effective throughout the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing compliance with aviation safety standards as per the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The directive mandates the removal from service of specific impellers to address safety concerns identified following an uncontained first stage compressor failure event, with clear instructions provided for both weld-repaired and non-weld-repaired impellers, including timelines for compliance. The directive is subject to further elaboration through subordinate instruments, which may refine the compliance instructions and thresholds further.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive AD/TPE 331/50 Amendment 1 (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) pertains specifically to TPE331 series engines equipped with certain first stage compressor impellers. The applicability section (paragraph 1) identifies the affected engines as those fitted with part numbers 896223-1, -2, -3, -7 or 3107109-1, -2, -4 for their first stage compressor impellers. The requirement section (paragraph 2) mandates the removal of these impellers from service. Weld repaired impellers, as listed in Honeywell Service Bulletin TPE331-A72-2083 Revision 1, must be removed from service, whereas other impellers must be removed in accordance with Honeywell Service Bulletin TPE331-A72-0971 Revision 2. The compliance section (paragraph 3) outlines the timeline for these actions, specifying that the removal must occur by the date that provides the least number of cycles before removal, as per the relevant bulletins with revised effective dates of 23 January 2003.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties governed by it. Engine operators and owners must ensure that their TPE331 series engines comply with the requirements outlined in the AD. This includes the identification and removal of specified impellers from service. The directive requires operators to follow the detailed instructions provided in the referenced Honeywell service bulletins, ensuring that the impellers are inspected by AlliedSignal and reworked if necessary. Operators must also adhere to the specified cycle limits for the removal of these impellers to maintain airworthiness standards.
Breach of the provisions set out in the AD could lead to serious safety implications, including the risk of uncontained engine failure. The AD does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance; however, failure to adhere to CASA directives can result in severe consequences under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. These may include enforcement actions by CASA, such as grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved, fines, and potential criminal charges for individuals responsible for the non-compliance. The specific penalties would depend on the severity of the breach and could include substantial fines and imprisonment.