COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Agusta A109 Series Helicopters
AD/A109/33 Main Rotor Blade Tip Cap - 2 4/2003
Applicability: Model A109E helicopters, equipped with main rotor blades part number 709-0103-01 (all dash numbers) having serial numbers up to and including 1428, preceded by code A5 or EM.
Requirement: Inspect in accordance with Agusta Service Bulletin No. 109EP-1 Rev. B, dated 19 December 2000.
Note: ENAC AD 2000-573 refers.
Compliance: Within 10 flight hours after 17 April 2003 for the initial inspection, unless already accomplished. Inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 flight hours.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 17 April 2003.
Background: Cases of debonding of the main rotor blade tip cap have been reported. Investigation revealed extensive areas of debonding of the honeycomb core, resulting in cracks on the leading edge of the tip cap.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 4 March 2003
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, as amended, include a range of measures designed to ensure the safety of aircraft operations in Australia. One such measure is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under Part 39, which aims to address specific safety concerns identified with certain aircraft models. This particular directive, AD/A109/33, pertains to the Agusta A109 Series Helicopters, specifically those with main rotor blades part number 709-0103-01 and serial numbers up to 1428, preceded by code A5 or EM. The directive was introduced in response to reported cases of debonding of the main rotor blade tip cap, which led to cracks on the leading edge of the tip cap. The policy objective of this directive is to mitigate the identified unsafe condition by requiring inspections in accordance with Agusta Service Bulletin No. 109EP-1 Rev. B, dated 19 December 2000. The AD mandates an initial inspection within 10 flight hours after 17 April 2003 and subsequent inspections at intervals not exceeding 25 flight hours. This regulatory action underscores the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's commitment to ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, applies to the aviation industry within Australia, focusing on the maintenance and safety standards for aircraft and aeronautical products. This particular Airworthiness Directive pertains to Agusta A109 Series Helicopters, particularly those equipped with certain main rotor blades and within a specified serial number range. The directive is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies to all aircraft that meet the specified criteria, requiring compliance with the outlined inspection requirements to ensure continued airworthiness. The directive has a national jurisdictional reach, applying throughout the Commonwealth of Australia, and it extends its requirements to any person or entity operating the specified models of helicopters. There are no exclusions or exemptions mentioned in this specific directive, and compliance must be achieved within the specified timeframes. Any further details or extensions to the directive may be established through subordinate instruments as necessary.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) under Part 39, section 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Agusta A109 Series Helicopters, specifically AD/A109/33. This directive mandates certain actions to address an identified unsafe condition. The directive applies to Model A109E helicopters with specific main rotor blades part number 709-0103-01 and serial numbers up to 1428, prefixed by A5 or EM. The directive requires an inspection of the main rotor blade tip cap in accordance with Agusta Service Bulletin No. 109EP-1 Rev. B, dated 19 December 2000. The initial inspection must occur within 10 flight hours after 17 April 2003, with subsequent inspections to be conducted at intervals not exceeding 25 flight hours.
The obligations imposed by this Airworthiness Directive include the requirement for helicopter operators to ensure that the specified inspections are carried out by qualified personnel following the outlined procedures. These inspections are essential to identify and rectify any debonding of the main rotor blade tip cap, which could potentially lead to operational hazards. The directive mandates that all inspections be documented and any identified issues must be addressed promptly to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the AD can result in serious consequences. Civil Aviation Safety Regulations under CAR 1998 stipulate that non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives can lead to enforcement actions. These actions may include fines, suspension of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, or other regulatory penalties. The maximum penalties for non-compliance are not specified in the AD itself but are governed by broader aviation safety legislation, which can include substantial financial penalties and potential criminal charges for serious breaches. It is imperative that operators adhere to these directives to ensure the safety and compliance of their operations.