Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, form a crucial part of the regulatory framework governing civil aviation safety in the country. These regulations, particularly Part 39 - 106, address issues related to airworthiness directives, ensuring that aircraft and aeronautical products meet safety standards. One specific instance of this is seen in Airworthiness Directive AD/TPE 331/59, which was introduced to address safety concerns with AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines of the TPE 331 series. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to correct an unsafe condition involving the electronic engine controls of certain turboprop engines, aiming to prevent uncommanded power increases that could lead to asymmetric thrust and potential loss of control. The policy objective behind this directive was to ensure that flight and ground operations remain safe by mandating specific actions such as updating aircraft flight manuals and replacing defective engine controls.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 106 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITYSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES, addresses safety requirements for certain AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines - TPE 331 Series. This directive applies to TPE331-8, -10N, and -12B turboprop engines equipped with electronic engine controls (EECs) of specific part numbers, installed in aircraft such as the Cessna Aircraft Company Model 441 Conquest aeroplanes. The directive mandates that affected owners or operators must update their Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) to include interim emergency procedures and replace the specified EECs with serviceable ones. These actions are necessary to mitigate risks associated with uncommanded engine power increases, which could compromise flight safety. Compliance with the requirements is mandatory, with a timeframe of 30 days from the directive's effective date for updating the AFM and before 31 August 2003 for replacing the EECs. This directive extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), and its implementation is further detailed through subordinate Honeywell Alert Service Bulletins.

Key Provisions

This legislative instrument, under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically addresses the AlliedSignal (Garrett/AiResearch) Turbine Engines - TPE 331 Series, setting forth an Airworthiness Directive (AD/TPE 331/59) that applies to TPE331-8, -10N, and -12B turboprop engines with specific part numbers installed. This AD mandates actions necessary to correct an unsafe condition, with the applicability extending to certain turboprop engines installed in Cessna Aircraft Company Model 441 Conquest aeroplanes (section 13/2001DM). The requirement section of the AD (section 1) specifies two main actions: first, the amendment of the applicable Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) Emergency Procedures and Normal Procedures Section to include interim emergency procedures, and second, the replacement of existing electronic engine controls (EECs) with serviceable ones. The compliance section (section 2) stipulates that the interim emergency procedures must be implemented within 30 days of the AD's effective date, while the EEC replacement must be completed by 31 August 2003. The obligations imposed by this AD include ensuring that the AFMs of affected aircraft are updated to include the specified interim emergency procedures as detailed in Requirement 1 (section 1). Owners or operators must also replace the existing EECs with serviceable ones, as per Requirement 2 (section 1). Moreover, if the AFMs conflict with the interim emergency procedures, owners or operators must contact the Manager, Engineering Support Branch (ESB), Civil Aviation Safety Authority, to have their AFMs reviewed and approved. The AD also provides contact information for the ESB Manager for further communication and clarification (section 1). In terms of consequences, the AD does not explicitly mention penalties for non-compliance. However, non-compliance with ADs generally can lead to severe civil and criminal consequences, including fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the non-compliance and its impact on aviation safety. The AD becomes effective on 19 November 2001, and the compliance deadlines are strictly set to ensure the safety measures are implemented in a timely manner. The directive was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 November 2001, further emphasising the urgency and importance of compliance.