COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Agusta A109 Series Helicopters
AD/A109/13 Electrical Connectors P/N MS3456W14S-5S 11/88
Applicability: (a) Models A109A up to S/N 7135 inclusive.
(b) Models A109A and A109AII up to S/N 7400 inclusive except S/N 7396. Requirement: (a) Action in accordance with Bollettino Tecnico 109-70 Part I.
(b) Action in accordance with Bollettino Tecnico 109-70 Part II. Compliance: Prior to 31 December 1988.
Background: Failure of connectors MS3456W14S-5S supplied by Flight Connectors Co., due to defective insulating material, has been reported by other aircraft model operators.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), specifically within Part 39, address various safety directives pertinent to aviation operations. One such directive, AD/A109/13, pertains to Agusta A109 Series Helicopters and mandates specific actions concerning electrical connectors P/N MS3456W14S-5S. Enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, this directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of failure in electrical connectors, which had been caused by defective insulating material from the supplier Flight Connectors Co. This defect had already been reported among other aircraft models, thus prompting the directive to ensure safety compliance. The policy objective behind this directive is to mandate corrective actions to prevent potential failures that could compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.
The directive requires compliance with Bollettino Tecnico 109-70 Parts I and II, with an application to specific models of the Agusta A109 Series up to certain serial numbers. Compliance must be achieved prior to 31 December 1988, underscoring the urgency and importance of addressing the defect to maintain the airworthiness of the affected helicopters. The directive aims to ensure that all relevant models are serviced and modified as specified to avoid any potential electrical failures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to Airworthiness Directives concerning the Agusta A109 Series Helicopters. This particular directive, AD/A109/13, addresses electrical connectors P/N MS3456W14S-5S, and applies to Agusta A109A models up to serial number 7135 inclusive and to A109A and A109AII models up to serial number 7400 inclusive, excluding serial number 7396. The directive mandates compliance with Bollettino Tecnico 109-70 Parts I and II, which outline necessary actions to rectify the issue of defective insulating material in the connectors supplied by Flight Connectors Co. This defect has previously caused failures in other aircraft models. Compliance is required before 31 December 1988, and the directive extends to the Commonwealth of Australia, regulating the conduct and maintenance standards of entities and individuals operating within its jurisdiction. The scope of the directive is precise, targeting specific models and serial numbers, with no exclusions mentioned within the directive itself, though broader regulations and standards may apply under the overarching Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD) which governs the maintenance and safety of aircraft in Australian airspace. This particular directive, AD/A109/13, applies to Agusta A109 Series Helicopters, more specifically to models A109A up to serial number 7135 inclusive and to A109A and A109AII models up to serial number 7400 inclusive, excluding serial number 7396 (section 11/88). The directive mandates actions to be taken concerning electrical connectors P/N MS3456W14S-5S. The requirement is to follow the instructions in Bollettino Tecnico 109-70 Part I and Part II, which provide detailed guidance on the necessary actions to ensure the safety of these connectors. These actions must be completed prior to 31 December 1988 due to previous reports of failures in similar connectors, attributed to defective insulating material supplied by Flight Connectors Co.
The obligations imposed by this directive on the relevant helicopter operators and owners include ensuring that the specified models and serial numbers of Agusta A109 helicopters are inspected and, if necessary, repaired or replaced according to the detailed instructions provided in Bollettino Tecnico 109-70. This involves meticulous adherence to the technical bulletins to address the specific issue of the electrical connectors. The directive underscores the importance of timely compliance to avoid safety risks associated with the defective material. Operators must document the compliance process, including the inspection, any repairs, and the certification that the required actions have been completed and verified by a CASA-approved maintenance organisation.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/A109/13 can result in serious consequences. Civil aviation regulations are designed to ensure the highest standards of safety, and non-compliance with an AD can lead to penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. For operators, this may include fines, potential grounding of the affected aircraft, and the inability to operate until compliance is verified. From a criminal perspective, those responsible for ensuring compliance who neglect their duties may face personal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The maximum penalties for breaches of these regulations can be significant, reflecting the importance of maintaining airworthiness and safety in the aviation industry.