AD/BELL 205/40 - Tail Rotor Pitch Horns - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, are a comprehensive set of rules governing civil aviation in Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations addresses airworthiness directives, including AD/BELL 205/40, which pertains to the inspection of tail rotor pitch horns on Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns associated with the specified models, ensuring they meet necessary safety standards. The policy objective behind this regulation is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation in Australia by requiring regular inspections of critical components, such as the tail rotor pitch horns, to prevent potential failures and ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters fitted with pitch change horns P/N 212-010-716-5 or -9. This regulation mandates inspections of the tail rotor pitch horns as per the instructions provided in either Bell Service Bulletin No. 205-77-5 or the Federal Aviation Administration's AD 77-17-03. The requirement necessitates that these inspections be carried out within 25 hours of the helicopter's time in service following 15 September 1977 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 100 hours. The scope of this regulation extends across the Commonwealth, ensuring uniform safety standards are met nationwide. The regulation does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, but compliance is essential for maintaining airworthiness and safety in the operation of these helicopters. The application of this regulation can be further extended or detailed through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives that apply to various aircraft models, including the Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters (s. 39-105). One such directive, AD/BELL 205/40, pertains to the inspection of tail rotor pitch horns on these helicopters. According to the directive, all models equipped with pitch change horns with part numbers 212-010-716-5 or -9 are subject to this requirement (s. 39-105). The inspection must be performed in accordance with Bell SB No. 205-77-5 or FAA AD 77-17-03 (s. 39-105). Entities and individuals responsible for the operation of these helicopters must ensure that the inspection of the tail rotor pitch horns is conducted within 25 hours of time in service after 15 September 1977 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours (s. 39-105). The inspection must be thorough and in compliance with the specifications provided in either Bell SB No. 205-77-5 or FAA AD 77-17-03 (s. 39-105). This ensures that the helicopter maintains its airworthiness and continues to meet safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose strict obligations on the entities responsible for the operation of these helicopters to adhere to the specified inspection intervals (s. 39-105). Non-compliance can result in the aircraft being grounded until the required inspections are completed and any necessary repairs are made. Furthermore, operators who fail to adhere to these directives may face penalties, including fines or other legal actions, as stipulated by the regulations (s. 39-105). The specific penalties and consequences are detailed in other sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and can vary based on the severity of the breach and the impact on aviation safety.