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 204/39 Pillow Block Bolts and Hardware 8/2000
Applicability: Model 204B.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 92-23-01.
Compliance: Before further flight after the effective date of this directive, thereafter at each:
- each hub assembly,
- overhaul,
- change of a MR hub retention strap, or
- whenever the bolts are removed for any reason.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 10 August 2000.
Background: This directive follows the detection of cracks in the pillow block bolts on Model 205 and 212 helicopters. Failure of all four bolts will permit main rotor separation. This directive 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 Australian Parliament, govern the safety and operational standards for civil aviation within Australia. One specific aspect of these regulations, detailed in Part 39, addresses Airworthiness Directives (ADs) which are critical in maintaining the safety of aircraft by mandating specific actions to correct unsafe conditions. The AD for Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series Helicopters, issued in 2000, aims to address the problem of cracks in the pillow block bolts, a condition that could potentially lead to catastrophic failure, including main rotor separation. This directive was introduced to ensure ongoing safety and compliance in line with technical requirements set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through AD 92-23-01. The policy objective is to prevent unsafe conditions from leading to accidents, thereby safeguarding the public and maintaining the integrity of the aviation industry.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertain to airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for various aircraft models, including the Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series Helicopters. This legislative instrument applies to the Model 204B and mandates actions to rectify identified unsafe conditions concerning the pillow block bolts and hardware. The directive requires compliance with the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 92-23-01, which includes inspections and necessary actions at each hub assembly overhaul, change of a MR hub retention strap, or whenever the bolts are removed for any reason. The directive is effective from 10 August 2000, and compliance must be achieved before further flight after this date. The scope of the directive is limited to the specified conditions and the Model 204B, with the directive being issued under the authority of a CASA delegate, David Alan Villiers, who signed the directive on 6 July 2000. The directive was subsequently notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 12 July 2000.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, subsection 105, addresses airworthiness directives for Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series Helicopters. This includes AD/BELL 204/39, which pertains to the maintenance of pillow block bolts and hardware in the Model 204B. The directive, issued on 6 July 2000 by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, requires specific actions to address identified unsafe conditions. The directive mandates that actions be taken according to the technical requirements outlined in FAA AD 92-23-01. Compliance with this directive is essential before further flight after the directive's effective date, with specific intervals set for each hub assembly, overhaul, change of a MR hub retention strap, or whenever the bolts are removed for any reason.
The obligations imposed by AD/BELL 204/39 necessitate that operators of the Model 204B helicopters ensure their aircraft meet the specified maintenance requirements. This includes conducting thorough inspections and replacements of pillow block bolts and hardware as outlined. The directive mandates regular checks and maintenance activities to prevent the occurrence of critical failures, such as the separation of the main rotor, which could arise from the failure of all four bolts. Operators must adhere to the detailed instructions provided and ensure all maintenance is performed in strict accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 92-23-01.
Failure to comply with AD/BELL 204/39 could result in significant safety risks, including the potential for main rotor separation and subsequent catastrophic failure of the helicopter. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to enforce compliance with these directives, and non-compliance may lead to civil or criminal penalties. Although specific penalties are not detailed in this directive, breaches of airworthiness directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in substantial fines and other enforcement actions. Operators must ensure strict adherence to the requirements to avoid any legal repercussions.