COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 204/21 Main Rotor Blades - Inspection NK
Applicability: All models 204B with main rotor blades P/Nos. 204-012-001 (all dash numbers) and 204-011-250 (all dash numbers) which have achieved 600 hours’ time in service.
Requirement: To detect cracks in the main rotor blades, perform the following:
- Visually inspect the upper surface of each blade in the area of the spare particularly between stations 110 and 165.
2. Cone each blade by inserting a wooden wedge between the mast and the static stop and raise the tip of the blade sufficiently to eliminate blade droop and obtain approx. 6 ins. (15 cms) blade cone at the tip; and
3. Visually inspect the undersurface of each blade particularly in the area of the spare between stations 110 and 165.
Note: Refer to the Maintenance Manual Section 1, Page 1-23 and 1-24 Section II, Page 2-6, Para 2-7B for inspection requirements.
Compliance: At each daily or overnight inspection after 11 November 1975.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, were enacted by the Parliament of Australia to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. One specific legislative instrument under this act, F2006B04327, addresses the safety and airworthiness of aircraft, particularly focusing on the Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series Helicopters. This legislative instrument, part of the broader schedule of Airworthiness Directives, was introduced to address the specific issue of detecting cracks in the main rotor blades of certain helicopter models. The policy objective of these regulations is to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of aircraft through regular inspections and compliance with specified maintenance procedures.
The legislative instrument AD/BELL 204/21 mandates that all models 204B with specific main rotor blade part numbers that have achieved 600 hours of time in service must undergo a detailed inspection process to detect any potential cracks. This involves visual inspections of the upper and under surfaces of each blade, particularly focusing on areas between stations 110 and 165. These inspections must be carried out at each daily or overnight inspection following the directive's implementation date of 11 November 1975. This regulation aims to ensure that any potential safety hazards are identified and addressed promptly, thereby maintaining the integrity and safety of the aircraft in operation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, applies to all Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series Helicopters, specifically targeting models 204B with main rotor blades P/Nos. 204-012-001 and 204-011-250, provided these blades have reached 600 hours of operational time. This regulation is designed to ensure the safety of these aircraft by mandating regular inspections of the main rotor blades to detect any cracks. The inspection process includes visually examining the upper and undersurfaces of each blade, particularly in the area of the spar between stations 110 and 165, and involves coning the blade by inserting a wedge to achieve a specific blade cone at the tip. These inspections must be conducted at each daily or overnight inspection following the date of 11 November 1975. The regulation's scope is strictly national, extending across all states and territories within Australia, thereby ensuring uniform safety standards for the specified helicopter models. The regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, implying that all applicable helicopters must comply with the outlined inspection procedures.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses the inspection requirements for Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series Helicopters, particularly for the main rotor blades. The regulation in focus is AD/BELL 204/21 (Section 1), which mandates inspections to detect cracks in the main rotor blades of certain 204B models with specific part numbers that have reached 600 hours in service (Section 1). The inspection process involves visually inspecting the upper surface of each blade between stations 110 and 165, followed by coning the blades by inserting a wedge and raising the blade tip to achieve a specific cone angle, and then inspecting the undersurface of each blade in the same area (Section 2). Detailed inspection requirements can be found in the Maintenance Manual Section 1, Pages 1-23 and 1-24, and Section II, Page 2-6, Paragraph 2-7B (Section 2 Note).
Compliance with these regulations is stringent, requiring that the inspections be conducted at each daily or overnight inspection following 11 November 1975 (Section 3). This sets a clear obligation on the operators of these helicopters to ensure that the inspections are performed meticulously and regularly as part of their operational routine. The directive aims to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the helicopters by detecting and addressing any potential structural issues in the rotor blades early.
Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive AD/BELL 204/21 may lead to severe consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed within the text, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. These actions could include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory sanctions. The potential severity of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the specified inspection procedures to maintain safety standards in aviation operations.