AD/A109/25 Amdt 1 - Main Rotor Pitch Change Link Spherical Bearing

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, was enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia by establishing standards and procedures for aircraft and operations. This legislation is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and seeks to mitigate risks and ensure the highest safety standards in the aviation sector. One of the directives under this regulation, AD/A109/25 Amendment 1, addresses the issue of increased vibration levels in Agusta A109 Series Helicopters, which were attributed to damage in the pitch change link spherical bearings. This amendment was introduced to provide clear guidance on the applicability of safety measures and to specify the required actions for maintaining the airworthiness of these models. The objective is to ensure that maintenance actions are performed in accordance with specified technical bulletins and to set precise compliance timelines to maintain operational safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the oversight and regulation of airworthiness directives under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This Act applies to certain Agusta A109 Series Helicopters, including the A109C models with serial numbers up to 7677 (excluding 7633, 7654, and 7667), and A109K2 models with serial numbers up to 10023 (excluding 10014). Additionally, models fitted with specific pitch control links are exempt from this directive. The regulation mandates compliance with Agusta Bolletinos Tecnico Telegrafico 109-9 or 109K-2 dated 23 March 1995, as applicable. For Model A109C, compliance must occur within 10 hours of service after 15 March 1995, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of service. For Model A109K2, compliance must occur within 10 hours of service after the effective date of this Amendment, with subsequent intervals not exceeding 100 hours of service. This Amendment became effective from 29 February 1996, clarifying applicability and adding the Model A109K, while also specifying terminating actions.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives that govern the maintenance and safety standards for aircraft. One such directive, AD/A109/25 Amendment 1, pertains to Agusta A109 Series Helicopters and addresses issues with the main rotor pitch change link spherical bearing (section 1). This directive applies to specific models and serial numbers of the A109C and A109K2 helicopters, excluding certain serial numbers as noted in the applicability section (section 2). The requirement outlined in this directive mandates that actions be taken in accordance with Agusta Bolletinos Tecnico Telegrafico 109-9 or 109K-2 dated 23 March 1995, as applicable (section 3). The compliance timeline requires that for the A109C model, the action be completed within 10 hours’ time in service after 15 March 1995, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours’ time in service (section 4). For the A109K2 model, compliance must occur within 10 hours’ time in service after the effective date of this Amendment, and then at intervals not exceeding 100 hours’ time in service (section 5). Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, the obligations imposed on the parties or entities governed by the AD/A109/25 Amendment 1 directive include ensuring that the specified maintenance actions are carried out on the Agusta A109 Series Helicopters within the prescribed timeframes. Operators and owners of the affected helicopters must adhere to the instructions provided in the Agusta Bolletinos Tecnico Telegrafito and ensure that the spherical bearings of the main rotor pitch change link are inspected and maintained according to the outlined schedule (section 6). Failure to comply with these obligations could result in non-compliance with airworthiness standards, potentially leading to safety issues and increased risk of damage to the helicopters (section 7). The breach of the AD/A109/25 Amendment 1 directive carries potential civil and criminal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, failure to comply with an airworthiness directive can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The maximum penalty for contravening an airworthiness directive can include fines and imprisonment. Specifically, individuals and corporations may face fines of up to $210,000 and imprisonment for up to 2 years for each offence (section 8). Additionally, CASA has the authority to issue compliance orders, suspend or revoke airworthiness certificates, and take other regulatory actions to ensure adherence to the mandated safety standards (section 9).