AD/VIPER/5 - Exhaust Cone Assembly

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. One specific instrument, F2006B07587, addresses the critical issue of maintaining airworthiness standards for Rolls Royce Turbine Engines, particularly the Viper Series, through Airworthiness Directives. This directive was introduced to address a significant safety concern involving the Viper engines, where there was a risk of the exhaust cone assembly detaching, leading to potential catastrophic consequences. The policy objective is to mandate corrective actions in accordance with specified service bulletins to ensure the structural integrity and safe operation of these engines. This directive is essential for maintaining the highest safety standards in the operation of civil aircraft within Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, includes detailed Airworthiness Directives that apply to various aircraft components and systems to ensure safety and operational reliability. One such directive is AD/VIPER/5 concerning the exhaust cone assembly of Rolls Royce Viper series engines, including the Viper Mk 520, 521, and 522 engines. This directive mandates compliance with either Rolls Royce Service Bulletin No. 72-A338 or Civil Aviation Order 106 AD/RRT-V/16. Its applicability extends to all aircraft operators who use the specified engines, ensuring they adhere to the outlined safety measures to mitigate the risk of incidents such as the detachment of a cap nut and stay pin, which led to the loss of the exhaust inner cone in a previous incident. The directive became effective on 22 March 1990 and has been reissued to ensure ongoing compliance with the necessary safety standards. The scope of this legislation is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia, and it is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are no specific exclusions or thresholds noted within the directive, and its application may be further extended or detailed through subordinate instruments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 106, mandates the Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Rolls Royce Viper Series Turbine Engines, as outlined in AD/VIPER/5 (paragraph 1). This directive applies to Viper Mk 520, 521, and 522 engines and requires compliance with either Rolls Royce Service Bulletin No. 72-A338 or Civil Aviation Order 106 AD/RRT-V/16 (paragraph 2). The directive became effective on 22 March 1990 and was reissued to ensure the continued safety requirements, particularly following an incident where an exhaust inner cone detached due to the detachment of a cap nut and stay pin (paragraph 3). Compliance with this directive involves adhering to the specific maintenance actions outlined in the Rolls Royce Service Bulletin or CAO 106 AD/RRT-V/16. These actions likely include thorough inspections, necessary repairs, and the replacement of parts to ensure the structural integrity of the exhaust cone assembly (paragraph 4). Operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that all Viper Series engines within the specified range are inspected and maintained according to the detailed procedures provided in the referenced documents. This includes verifying that cap nuts and stay pins are secure and that the exhaust cone assembly is properly attached (paragraph 5). Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/VIPER/5 may result in significant legal and safety consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may impose penalties for non-compliance, including fines and other enforcement actions (paragraph 6). Furthermore, operating an aircraft with non-compliant engines could lead to the grounding of the aircraft, thereby affecting flight schedules and potentially compromising safety (paragraph 7). The severity of the penalties underscores the importance of adhering to these directives to maintain airworthiness standards and ensure the safety of all persons on board (paragraph 8).