COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series Helicopters
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BELL 204/19 Amdt 2 and issues the following 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.
AD/BELL 204/19
Amdt 3
Main Rotor Blade Cracking and Corrosion 8/2000
Applicability: All models with Main Rotor Blade (MRB) P/N 204-011-250 all dash numbers.
Requirement: 1. Inspect each MRB in accordance with Bell SB No. 204-75-1 Rev. B Parts I and II and Bell SB No. 204-76-9.
2. Modify each MRB by performing the wax and wash operation per Bell SB 204- 76-1 Rev. C Part II and the rework and refinishing operation of Part III.
Note: FAA AD 75-26-05 refers.
Compliance: At intervals detailed in the Requirement documents.
This Amendment becomes effective on 10 August 2000.
Background: This directive was initially issued to overcome corrosion pitting in the blade.
Amendment 3 is issued to reference the country of manufacture applicable AD. It also follows the re-introduction of the AD Series after sixteen years.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 6 July 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 12 July 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series Helicopters. Enacted in 1998, this regulation was established to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia, addressing issues related to the airworthiness of aircraft. The AD/BELL 204/19 Amdt 3, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 6 July 2000 and notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 12 July 2000, targets the problem of main rotor blade cracking and corrosion. The policy objective of this amendment is to mandate inspections and modifications of the main rotor blades in certain models to mitigate the identified safety risks, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety standards in Australia.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to all Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series helicopters that have a Main Rotor Blade (MRB) with part number 204-011-250, irrespective of the dash numbers. The AD mandates that each MRB be inspected in accordance with specified Bell Service Bulletins and then modified through prescribed wax and wash operations, as well as rework and refinishing. The directive aims to address issues such as cracking and corrosion, which were identified as potential safety hazards. The compliance with this AD must be achieved at intervals detailed in the relevant requirement documents, ensuring that the safety measures are implemented consistently over time. This AD is effective from 10 August 2000 and is applicable nationally across the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The AD does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, indicating that it applies broadly to the specified models within the Australian jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BELL 204/19 Amdt 3 concern the applicability and requirements for Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series Helicopters, specifically those with Main Rotor Blade (MRB) P/N 204-011-250 all dash numbers. Section 8 of the AD specifies that all affected models must be subject to the requirements outlined to address issues such as main rotor blade cracking and corrosion. The requirement section mandates that each main rotor blade be inspected in accordance with Bell Service Bulletins (SB) No. 204-75-1 Rev. B Parts I and II and Bell SB No. 204-76-9, followed by modifications as per Bell SB 204-76-1 Rev. C, which includes a wax and wash operation and rework and refinishing. This directive also references FAA AD 75-26-05, indicating that it aligns with other regulatory measures aimed at ensuring airworthiness.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties and entities it governs. Primarily, it requires helicopter operators to conduct detailed inspections and necessary modifications on the main rotor blades of their Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series Helicopters. These inspections and modifications must adhere to the instructions and intervals detailed in the specified Bell Service Bulletins. The directive mandates that these actions be completed at intervals as outlined in the requirement documents to maintain the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, thereby impacting the operator's ability to fly the helicopter legally and safely.
Breaches of the provisions outlined in AD/BELL 204/19 Amdt 3 can lead to various consequences. Firstly, non-compliance with the airworthiness directives can result in the aircraft being grounded, as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may deem the helicopter unsafe for operation. Operators found in violation of the AD may face civil penalties, including fines. Additionally, the AD itself references the potential for criminal liability under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which can lead to more severe penalties, including imprisonment, depending on the nature and extent of the breach. The specific maximum penalties for breaches of such regulations are not detailed in the AD but are governed by the overarching aviation safety legislation.