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 204/5 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 204/5
Amdt 1
Tail Rotor Pitch Control Slider 8/2000
Applicability: Model 204 B with slider P/N 204-010-720-3 installed. Requirement: Action in accordance with Bell 204B SB 204B-3.
Note: FAA AD 67-24-01 refers.
Compliance: For sliders with:
- less than 300 hours time in service before further flight, and
b. more than 300 hours time in service, within 125 hours time in service after 24 September 1967.
This Amendment becomes effective on 10 August 2000.
Background: This directive was initially raised to remove particular sliders from service.
The Amendment and reissue is respectively to refer to the country of manufacture AD, and to prevent any of the affected sliders re-entering service. 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 Commonwealth of Australia, represent a comprehensive framework designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, Part 39, which includes the Airworthiness Directives, aims to address potential safety issues by mandating corrective actions for certain aircraft to ensure they meet the required safety standards. This particular legislative instrument, F2006B04349, was introduced to address an identified unsafe condition with Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series Helicopters. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) acted as the enacting body, issuing an Airworthiness Directive (AD) to rectify the issue. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure that any identified unsafe conditions are addressed promptly, thereby maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety and preventing potential accidents or incidents.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, addresses the regulation of airworthiness directives for aviation safety, with the particular AD/BELL 204/5 Amendment 1 focusing on the Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series Helicopters. This directive applies to Bell Model 204 B helicopters equipped with a specific tail rotor pitch control slider part number 204-010-720-3. The directive mandates actions to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft to rectify identified safety issues. The directive specifies that the required actions must be performed under certain conditions, in accordance with specified instructions, and within defined timeframes based on the operational hours of the affected sliders. The applicability of this directive is restricted to helicopters that have not yet accumulated 300 hours of service time, and for those that have, it applies within 125 hours of service following a specified date. The directive is effective as of 10 August 2000, and it is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with the directive's details published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 12 July 2000.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, includes a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BELL 204/5 Amendment 1 for Bell Helicopter Textron 204 Series Helicopters (39.1). This AD addresses safety concerns related to the tail rotor pitch control slider in Bell 204B models, particularly those with a specific part number (204-010-720-3). The directive mandates actions that are considered necessary to rectify unsafe conditions as per Bell 204B Service Bulletin 204B-3. The AD references FAA AD 67-24-01 for additional guidance. Compliance with this AD requires specific actions depending on the service hours of the slider: for sliders with less than 300 hours in service, the action must be taken before further flight, whereas for sliders with more than 300 hours in service, the action must be taken within 125 hours after 24 September 1967. The AD became effective on 10 August 2000.
The obligations imposed by this AD on the relevant parties include adherence to the specified actions outlined in the requirement section, which are detailed in Bell 204B Service Bulletin 204B-3. Owners or operators of the affected Bell 204B helicopters must ensure that the tail rotor pitch control slider is inspected and maintained according to the stipulated timelines and conditions. This involves following the detailed instructions provided in the service bulletin to ensure the safety of the aircraft. The AD specifically targets the prevention of unsafe conditions by addressing the identified risks associated with the tail rotor pitch control slider, thereby ensuring the continued airworthiness of the affected helicopters.
Violations of the AD/BELL 204/5 Amendment 1 could result in severe civil or criminal penalties. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an AD may lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential prosecution. The severity of the penalties depends on the extent of the non-compliance and its impact on aviation safety. Specifically, the maximum penalty for contravening an AD under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 could include substantial fines or imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of ensuring the safety of air travel. Operators found in breach of this directive may face legal action, which underscores the importance of strict adherence to the AD to maintain the safety standards required by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).