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 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.
AD/BELL 204/30 External Load, Load Cell Link 8/2000
Applicability: All Models 204B modified by Chadwick Inc. STC.s SH149WE and SH17NW.
Requirement: Replace Chadwick load cell link assembly P/N 47-40200-19 with parts approved by the Authority.
Note: FAA AD 78-21-02 refers.
Compliance: Before further flight in any external load operation after the effective date.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 10 August 2000.
Background: This directive is issued following notification by the country of manufacture and is to prevent the possible use of the defective load cell in Australia. 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, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, were introduced to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This comprehensive piece of legislation, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), includes provisions for issuing airworthiness directives to address safety issues as they arise. One such directive, AD/BELL 204/30, was issued on 6 July 2000 to address a safety concern related to the Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series Helicopters. This specific Airworthiness Directive was necessitated by a defect in the load cell link assembly, identified in models 204B modified by Chadwick Inc. The directive mandates the replacement of the defective part with an approved alternative to prevent potential unsafe conditions during external load operations, thereby aligning with the overarching policy objective of maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to all Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series Helicopters modified by Chadwick Inc. as per STC.s SH149WE and SH17NW. This directive mandates the replacement of the Chadwick load cell link assembly P/N 47-40200-19 with parts approved by the Authority to rectify an unsafe condition identified in external load operations. The directive requires compliance before any further flight involving external load operations after its effective date of 10 August 2000. The directive’s application is limited geographically to the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all operators within the country adhere to the specified safety measures. This AD extends its reach to enforce compliance through subordinate instruments, ensuring that any modifications or further directives related to this issue are properly communicated and enforced within the aviation sector.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly PART 39 - 105, provide a framework for issuing Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure the safety of aircraft in Australian airspace. Specifically, AD/BELL 204/30 addresses the safety concerns associated with the Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series helicopters, particularly those modified by Chadwick Inc. under STCs SH149WE and SH17NW. This directive, issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998, mandates specific actions to mitigate identified risks. The directive requires the replacement of the Chadwick load cell link assembly P/N 47-40200-19 with parts approved by the Authority (Section 39.1 (1)). This action is necessary to prevent the potential use of the defective load cell link in external load operations, ensuring the helicopters remain airworthy.
The obligations under this Airworthiness Directive are clear and stringent. Owners or operators of Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series helicopters modified by Chadwick Inc. must comply with the directive by replacing the specified load cell link assembly. This must be done before further flight in any external load operation following the directive's effective date. The requirement is explicitly detailed, ensuring there is no ambiguity about the necessary steps to address the identified safety issue. Compliance with this directive is not optional; it is a legal requirement enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within this particular directive, non-compliance with CASA directives generally can lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations. Possible outcomes include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance results in safety incidents. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the directive to ensure the safety of operations involving Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series helicopters.