COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Agusta A109 Series Helicopters
AD/A109/23 Tail Boom and Vertical Fin Modification 8/94
Applicability: All models A109A, A109AII and A109C with serial numbers up to and including 7670, except for serial numbers 7630, 7633, 7645, 7651, 7654, 7663, and 7665 to
7669.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Agusta Bollettino Technico 109-96.
Note: RAI AD 94-098 refers.
Compliance: Part I - Within 100 hours time in service after 21 July 1994 or prior to 30 June 1995, whichever occurs first.
Part II - At each 300 hour inspection after accomplishment of Part I.
Background: Some cracking of structural parts has been found in the vertical fin attachment area of the tail boom. This Directive provides for ready access to the area, and the inspection requirements.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through the Legislative instrument F2006B01808, address safety concerns related to the Agusta A109 series helicopters, specifically targeting the tail boom and vertical fin areas prone to structural cracking. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this regulation aims to mitigate risks associated with the identified structural issues by mandating specific modifications and regular inspections. The policy objective is to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters, thereby safeguarding passengers, crew, and the general public. Compliance with the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A109/23 is critical, requiring action to be taken within specific timeframes to address the identified safety concerns promptly.
This legislative measure is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies to all models A109A, A109AII, and A109C helicopters with serial numbers up to and including 7670, with certain exclusions noted. The directive mandates actions in accordance with Agusta Bollettino Technico 109-96 and references RAI AD 94-098. Compliance involves two main parts: the initial action within 100 hours of service after 21 July 1994 or before 30 June 1995, and subsequent inspections at every 300-hour interval following the completion of the initial requirement.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, pertains to Airworthiness Directives and applies to all aircraft operating within the Commonwealth of Australia. Specifically, AD/A109/23 applies to Agusta A109 series helicopters, including models A109A, A109AII, and A109C with serial numbers up to and including 7670, with the exception of certain serial numbers listed as 7630, 7633, 7645, 7651, 7654, 7663, and 7665 to 7669. The directive mandates modifications to the tail boom and vertical fin to address structural integrity issues identified in the vertical fin attachment area. Compliance with this directive is crucial, requiring action in accordance with Agusta Bollettino Technico 109-96, with specific timelines set for both initial compliance and subsequent inspections every 300 hours after the initial action is taken. These regulations ensure the ongoing airworthiness of the specified helicopter models and aim to mitigate risks associated with structural cracking.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, contains specific Airworthiness Directives (AD) that govern the safety standards for aircraft. In this case, AD/A109/23 concerns the tail boom and vertical fin modification for Agusta A109 Series Helicopters. The directive applies to all models A109A, A109AII, and A109C with specific serial numbers, excluding certain exceptions (section 8/94). The main requirement under this directive is to perform actions as outlined in Agusta Bollettino Technico 109-96 and references RAI AD 94-098.
These requirements are intended to address structural issues identified in the vertical fin attachment area of the tail boom, specifically cracking of structural parts. To comply with this directive, operators must ensure that the modifications are performed in two stages. Part I of the directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 21 July 1994 or before 30 June 1995, whichever comes first. Part II stipulates that these modifications should be carried out at each 300-hour inspection following the completion of Part I.
Operators of Agusta A109 Series Helicopters within the specified serial number range must adhere to these requirements to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. Failure to comply with these ADs could lead to serious safety issues, including potential structural failure during flight. Thus, the directive outlines clear obligations and timelines to ensure that all relevant aircraft are inspected and modified to prevent such issues.
Non-compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations, including failure to adhere to AD/A109/23, can lead to severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement actions against operators who do not comply with the mandated safety directives. Such actions could include fines, penalties, or even grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The exact penalties are not specified within the directive itself but are generally governed by the broader provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and related regulations, which can include significant financial penalties and potential criminal charges for serious breaches.