COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Agusta A109 Series Helicopters
AD/A109/24 Main Rotor Blade - Trailing Edge 5/95
Applicability: All Agusta A109A and A109A II series helicopters with main rotor blades P/N 109- 0103-01.
Requirement: 1. Visually inspect the trailing edge of the main rotor blades for dents, cracks or other damage in accordance with Agusta Bolletino Technico 109-50 Part I.
2. Perform a close visual inspection using a 3X magnifying glass of the upper and lower surfaces of the trailing edge of the main rotor blades for cracks. Confirm all indications with dye penetrant. Inspect in accordance with Agusta Bolletino Technico 109-50 Part II.
Note: RAI AD 92-190 refers.
Compliance: 1. Inspect in accordance with Requirement 1 before the first flight of the day.
2. Initially inspect in accordance with Requirement 2 before 500 hours’ time in service, or within 25 hours’ time in service after 27 April 1995, whichever occurs later. Re-inspect at intervals not to exceed 25 hours’ time in service.
3. Inspect in accordance with Requirement 2 before further flight after any unexplained vibration is experienced.
Background: Several cases of cracking have been reported in the trailing edge of the main rotor blades. The cracking is caused by anomalies in production.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended through F2006B01809, address specific safety concerns associated with the Agusta A109 Series helicopters, particularly regarding the trailing edge of the main rotor blades. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this regulation responds to documented cases of cracking in the trailing edges of these blades, which are attributed to production anomalies. The objective is to ensure the safety of these aircraft by mandating regular and thorough inspections to detect any damage early, thereby preventing potential catastrophic failures in flight. Compliance with these directives is essential to maintain airworthiness standards and safeguard against the risk of in-flight failures due to undetected blade damage.
The regulation specifies a two-tiered inspection process, with an initial visual inspection required before the first flight of the day and a more detailed inspection using magnification and dye penetrant within certain time intervals post-manufacture or after specific flight hours. This structured approach aims to mitigate the identified risk by ensuring that any damage to the trailing edges of the main rotor blades is identified and addressed promptly, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives, mandates that all Agusta A109A and A109A II series helicopters equipped with main rotor blades bearing the part number 109-0103-01 must adhere to stringent inspection requirements. These regulations are applicable to any person or entity operating such helicopters within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring a national standard for aviation safety. The inspections must be conducted in accordance with the instructions outlined in Agusta Bolletino Technico 109-50, with an emphasis on identifying any dents, cracks, or other damage to the trailing edge of the main rotor blades. Failure to comply with these directives may result in significant safety risks, particularly given the documented instances of cracking caused by production anomalies. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority oversees compliance with these directives, which extend through subordinate instruments to ensure thorough and regular inspections.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, section AD/A109/24, outlines the requirements for inspecting the trailing edge of the main rotor blades of Agusta A109 series helicopters. These helicopters must have main rotor blades with the part number 109-0103-01. The directive mandates two primary inspection methods. Firstly, Requirement 1 necessitates a visual inspection of the trailing edge for any dents, cracks, or other damage. This must be conducted in accordance with Agusta Bolletino Technico 109-50 Part I. Secondly, Requirement 2 involves a close visual inspection using a 3X magnifying glass, focusing on both the upper and lower surfaces of the trailing edge. Any findings should be confirmed using a dye penetrant, as specified in Agusta Bolletino Technico 109-50 Part II. The directive references RAI AD 92-190 for additional context.
The obligations under this regulation require operators of Agusta A109 series helicopters to conduct the specified inspections. For Requirement 1, the inspection must be completed before the first flight of the day. Requirement 2 demands an initial inspection before the helicopter reaches 500 hours of time in service or within 25 hours after 27 April 1995, whichever comes later. Thereafter, inspections must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 25 hours of time in service. Furthermore, an inspection must be conducted if the helicopter experiences unexplained vibration before further flight.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/A109/24 can result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement actions against operators who do not adhere to the inspection requirements. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the directive itself, CASA has the authority to impose penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which could include fines and other sanctions. Non-compliance can also lead to the grounding of the affected aircraft until the necessary inspections and repairs are completed, thereby impacting operational readiness and potentially leading to further financial losses for the operator.