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 204/44 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 204/44
Amdt 1
Main Rotor Mast 10/2000 TX
Applicability: Model 204B helicopters with main rotor mast, part number 204-011-450-001, -007, - 105, -113, or -119, or main rotor trunnion part number 204-011-105-001, or -103, installed.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2000-15-52.
Note: A copy of FAA AD 2000-15-52 may be obtained from the FAA Internet site http://av-info.faa.gov/ad or from the Authority.
Compliance: Before further flight after 9 August 2000 for paragraph (a) of the Requirement document, unless already accomplished. As specified in the Requirement document for compliance times of other required actions.
This Amendment becomes effective on 9 August 2000.
Background: FAA AD 98-24-15 was issued to prevent failure of the main rotor mast due to fatigue. That directive required that a component history card or approved equivalent, record torque events as a Retirement Index Number (RIN) for these components. AD 2000- 08-52 inspects for damage to the mast, increases accumulated RIN accordingly, and also reduces the overall RIN.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a new FAA AD which was prompted by a report of another cracked main rotor mast. Metallurgical inspection revealed that the mast cracked as a result of fatigue in snap ring groove radii that were smaller than the
0.020 inch minimum allowable dimension. The FAA has concluded that several corrections to the RIN counting procedure are required based on a review of the fatigue data and previously issued Directives.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive was to became effective on 10 August 2000.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 8 August 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 August 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the Civil Aviation (Safety) Act 1998, were enacted to ensure the safety of aviation operations within Australia. This legislative framework provides a robust basis for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue safety directives, including Airworthiness Directives (ADs), to address identified safety issues. ADs are critical in maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft by mandating corrective actions in response to identified safety risks. The AD in question, AD/BELL 204/44, specifically addresses a safety issue identified with the Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series helicopters, particularly focusing on the main rotor mast and trunnion parts. The AD aims to prevent failure due to fatigue, which could potentially compromise the integrity of the aircraft during operation. This directive revokes a previous AD and incorporates updated technical requirements based on findings from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure alignment with international safety standards. The policy objective is to enhance flight safety by ensuring that aircraft meet stringent airworthiness standards, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the public.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies specifically to Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series helicopters that have a main rotor mast part number 204-011-450-001, -007, -105, -113, or -119, or main rotor trunnion part number 204-011-105-001, or -103 installed. The directive is issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is aimed at ensuring the airworthiness of these specific aircraft components. The AD revokes the previous AD/BELL 204/44 and mandates that operators take specific actions to address identified safety issues with the main rotor mast. The actions required must comply with the technical requirements outlined in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2000-15-52. The compliance period begins on 9 August 2000, and operators must ensure that the specified actions are completed before further flights unless the actions have already been accomplished. This AD is a part of the regulatory framework within the Commonwealth of Australia, and its scope is limited to the specified helicopter models and components, with no broader application to other aircraft or industries.
Key Provisions
The main sections of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BELL 204/44 Amendment 1 are the applicability (10), requirement (11), and compliance (12) sections. The applicability section (10) specifies that the AD applies to Model 204B helicopters that have main rotor masts or trunnions with specific part numbers. The requirement section (11) mandates that the action set out in the FAA Emergency Airworthiness Directive 2000-15-52 be taken, which involves adhering to the technical requirements of this FAA directive. The compliance section (12) sets the timeframes for taking the required actions, with a key compliance date of 9 August 2000 for certain actions, and specifies other compliance times as outlined in the requirement document.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties governed by it, primarily helicopter operators and maintenance personnel. These obligations include ensuring that the specified components of Model 204B helicopters are inspected and maintained in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2000-15-52. This involves recording torque events, inspecting for damage, and adjusting the Retirement Index Number (RIN) as necessary to prevent fatigue-related failures of the main rotor mast. Compliance with these requirements is critical for ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of the affected helicopters.
Failure to comply with the AD can result in significant consequences. Although the document does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, it is implied that such non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations, non-compliance with ADs can result in enforcement actions including fines, orders for corrective action, and potentially grounding of non-compliant aircraft. The severity of the penalties would depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, and the potential impact on aviation safety.