COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines - TPE 331 Series
AD/TPE 331/54 Fuel Manifold 1/99
Applicability: AlliedSignal TPE331-8, -10, -11, and -12 series turboprop engines with fuel manifold, Part Number (P/N) 3102469-1 or -2.
Requirement: 1. Inspect fuel manifolds P/Ns 3102469-1 or -2, for the “Hoses Unlimited, Inc.” name on the manifold identification bands.
2. Remove from service any fuel manifold, P/N 3102469-1 or -2 that has the “Hoses Unlimited, Inc.” name on the identification band and replace with a serviceable fuel manifold in accordance with the applicable AlliedSignal engine maintenance manual.
Note 1: FAA AD 98-12-09 refers.
Compliance: 1. At first access to the fuel manifolds, at the next hot section inspection, or 3 years after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
Note 2: First access to the fuel manifold is defined as any repair, modification, removal, or testing of the fuel manifold assembly or components of the fuel manifold assembly.
2. Before further flight following compliance with Requirement 1. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 28 January 1999.
Background: Fuel manifold repairs carried out by Hoses Unlimited are not approved and could allow fuel leakage at the fuel manifold fittings, resulting in fuel spraying on hot turbine components, which could result in a fire.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, were enacted to establish and enforce airworthiness directives, ensuring the safety and reliability of aircraft operations within Australia. This legislative instrument addresses the problem of unauthorised repairs to critical engine components, which can compromise safety. In this context, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued AD/TPE 331/54 to mandate the inspection and replacement of certain fuel manifolds on AlliedSignal TPE 331 series turboprop engines. The policy objective is to prevent potential fuel leaks that could lead to fires during flight, thereby enhancing the overall safety of air travel. The directive references the Federal Aviation Administration's AD 98-12-09 and mandates compliance within specified timeframes to mitigate risks associated with non-compliant fuel manifold repairs.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, applies to all entities operating AlliedSignal TPE331-8, -10, -11, and -12 series turboprop engines with fuel manifolds bearing part numbers 3102469-1 or -2. This regulation is established by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safe operation of these engines in the Australian aviation industry. The scope of this legislation is focused on addressing a specific safety concern related to fuel manifold repairs conducted by Hoses Unlimited, Inc., which are not approved and could potentially lead to fuel leakage and fire hazards. Compliance with the Airworthiness Directive AD/TPE 331/54 requires the inspection of the fuel manifolds and the replacement of any manifold bearing the “Hoses Unlimited, Inc.” name on the identification bands. The directive mandates that this inspection and replacement must occur at the first access to the fuel manifold, at the next hot section inspection, or three years after the effective date of the directive, whichever comes first, and before further flight following compliance. This regulation is applicable nationally within Australia, ensuring a consistent approach to airworthiness and safety across the Commonwealth.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 106 (AD/TPE 331/54), focus on ensuring the airworthiness of AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) TPE 331 Series turboprop engines. Specifically, Section 1 mandates that fuel manifolds P/Ns 3102469-1 or -2 must be inspected to check for the “Hoses Unlimited, Inc.” name on the manifold identification bands. If the name is present, these fuel manifolds must be removed from service and replaced with a serviceable version in line with the applicable AlliedSignal engine maintenance manual. Section 2 outlines the compliance timeline, stipulating that compliance must occur at the first access to the fuel manifolds, during the next hot section inspection, or within three years from the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive, whichever comes first, and before further flight.
The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties governed are clear and specific. Operators and maintainers of AlliedSignal TPE331-8, -10, -11, and -12 series turboprop engines must ensure that all inspections and replacements are carried out as required by the Airworthiness Directive. This involves meticulous checking of the fuel manifold identification bands for the specified name, followed by the immediate removal and replacement of any non-compliant manifolds. This must be documented and carried out in accordance with the prescribed maintenance manual. Failure to comply with these requirements risks compromising the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.
The Act also includes provisions for civil and criminal consequences in the event of non-compliance. While specific penalties are not detailed within the text provided, breaches of airworthiness directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to severe repercussions. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges. The severity of these penalties underscores the critical nature of adhering to airworthiness directives to ensure the safety and integrity of civil aviation operations.