COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Agusta A109 Series Helicopters
AD/A109/30 Gleason Crown Inspection 8/99 DM
Applicability: A109A, A109AII and A109C helicopters, fitted with main transmission and Gleason Crown identified in Agusta Service Bulletin No. 109-109 dated 03 June 1999 and which have accumulated between 300 and 900 operating hours.
Requirement: 1. Perform the aural inspection of the main gearbox in accordance with the instructions contained in Part I of Agusta Service Bulletin No. 109-109 dated 03 June 1999.
Note: The word “auscultate” in the Agusta SB means “to listen to using a stethoscope”.
2. Perform the non destructive test of the Gleason Crown (installed in the main transmission) in accordance with the instructions contained in Part II of Agusta Service Bulletin No. 109-109 dated 03 June 1999. Replace Gleason Crown as required by Agusta Service Bulletin No. 109-109.
3. Repeat the test at 2 above.
Note: RAI AD 99-267 dated 10 June 1999 refers.
Compliance: 1. Before next flight after the effective date of this Directive.
2. Not later than 50 operating hours following the effective date of this Directive.
3. Every three hundred operating hours up to and including nine hundred operating hours.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 14 July 1999.
Background: One case of a cracked Gleason Crown on an Agusta A109C helicopter has been discovered following an investigation into a reported unusual noise from the main rotor transmission system. This directive introduces a regular aural inspection and Non Destructive test to monitor for the presence of cracks in the Gleason Crown of certain helicopters and certain transmissions.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Civil Aviation Amendment (Airworthiness and Other Matters) Regulations 2006, introduced a comprehensive framework to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. One of the key provisions of these regulations is Part 39 - 105, which includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that address specific safety concerns. For instance, AD/A109/30, concerning Agusta A109 Series Helicopters, was enacted to address the issue of potential cracks in the Gleason Crown of certain helicopter transmissions. This directive was prompted by the discovery of a cracked Gleason Crown on an Agusta A109C helicopter, which was identified during an investigation into an unusual noise from the main rotor transmission system. The objective of AD/A109/30 is to mandate regular inspections and tests to ensure the airworthiness and safety of the affected helicopters. Compliance with this directive is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which is the enforcing body responsible for ensuring adherence to these safety standards within the Australian civil aviation sector.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, mandates strict airworthiness directives that apply to particular Agusta A109 Series helicopters to ensure their safety and operational reliability. This legislative instrument, identified as AD/A109/30, pertains to A109A, A109AII, and A109C helicopters equipped with a main transmission and a Gleason Crown as outlined in Agusta Service Bulletin No. 109-109 dated 03 June 1999, and which have accumulated between 300 and 900 operating hours. The directive necessitates a comprehensive inspection and testing regime to detect any potential issues with the Gleason Crown in the main transmission, which is crucial for preventing structural failures and ensuring safe flight operations. This regulation applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and compliance is mandatory for the specified helicopter models within the defined operating hour range.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD/A109/30) for specific models of Agusta helicopters. This directive, effective from 14 July 1999, pertains to A109A, A109AII, and A109C helicopters equipped with certain main transmissions and Gleason Crowns identified in Agusta Service Bulletin No. 109-109 dated 03 June 1999. The directive requires inspections and tests to ensure the airworthiness of these helicopters, particularly focusing on the Gleason Crown within the main transmission.
The primary requirements outlined in the directive include performing an aural inspection of the main gearbox as per Part I of Agusta Service Bulletin No. 109-109. This involves listening to the gearbox using a stethoscope to detect any unusual noises, which may indicate a problem. Additionally, the directive mandates non-destructive testing of the Gleason Crown as described in Part II of the same service bulletin, followed by another test. These inspections are critical to identifying any cracks in the Gleason Crown, which could potentially compromise the safety of the helicopter. Compliance with these requirements must occur before the next flight following the effective date of the directive, within 50 operating hours of the directive's effective date, and every 300 operating hours up to a total of 900 operating hours.
Operators of the affected Agusta helicopters must adhere to these stringent requirements to ensure compliance. This involves scheduling the necessary inspections and tests promptly and maintaining accurate records of each inspection and test performed. The directive mandates that all required inspections and tests be completed before any subsequent flight and within the specified timeframes. Operators must also ensure that any identified issues are addressed immediately, including replacing the Gleason Crown if necessary, as per the instructions in Agusta Service Bulletin No. 109-109.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in AD/A109/30 can lead to severe consequences. Civil aviation authorities have the power to enforce the regulations and impose penalties for non-compliance. The potential penalties include fines and, in more severe cases, the grounding of the affected aircraft until the required inspections and tests are completed. The exact penalties can vary, but they are designed to ensure that operators take the necessary steps to maintain the airworthiness of their helicopters and ensure the safety of all passengers and crew.