COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 205/44 Cyclic Control Cylinder Assembly - Inspection of Piston Rods
6/79
Applicability: All model 205A-1 with S/Nos. 30003 to 30039, 30050 to 30067, and 30078 to 30127, not modified in accordance with part II of Bell Alert Service Bulletin 205-79-7.
Note: Helicopters modified to the dual hydraulic system kit in accordance with Bell SI 205-37 are exempt from the requirement of this AD.
Document: Bell Alert SB 205-79-7, Part 1, Daily Inspection and Hydraulic Research Textron SB FMTC 244, Part 1, Daily Inspection.
Compliance: Within 10 hours time in service after 30 April 1979, and thereafter at periods not exceeding 10 hours, until modified in accordance with Part II of Bell Alert
SB 205-79-7.
Background: The manufacturer has advised of the possibility of cracking of the piston rods on some cyclic control cylinder assemblies.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament, are central to the regulation of civil aviation in Australia. Within this framework, Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives specifically addresses safety concerns and mandates corrective actions to ensure the airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/BELL 205/44, pertains to the inspection of piston rods in the cyclic control cylinder assemblies of Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series helicopters. This directive was introduced to address a problem identified by the manufacturer concerning the potential cracking of piston rods, which could compromise the integrity and safety of the aircraft. The policy objective is to ensure ongoing compliance with safety standards by requiring inspections at regular intervals, thereby mitigating the risk of in-flight failures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandates the application of airworthiness directives, including AD/BELL 205/44, which pertains to the inspection of piston rods in the cyclic control cylinder assembly of Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters. This directive applies to specific serial numbers of model 205A-1 helicopters that have not been modified in accordance with part II of Bell Alert Service Bulletin 205-79-7. The geographic reach of this regulation extends to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring compliance across all states and territories. However, it specifically exempts helicopters that have been modified to the dual hydraulic system kit as per Bell SI 205-37. Compliance with the directive requires inspections to be conducted within 10 hours of time in service following 30 April 1979, and then at intervals not exceeding 10 hours, until the specified modifications are made. The directive is grounded in safety considerations raised by the manufacturer regarding the potential for cracking of piston rods.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an airworthiness directive (AD/BELL 205/44) concerning the Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters (section 39-105). This directive mandates inspections of the cyclic control cylinder assemblies' piston rods to ensure they are free from cracking, a potential safety hazard identified by the manufacturer (section 39-105(1)). This applies to specific serial numbers of the model 205A-1 helicopters, excluding those modified in accordance with Bell Alert Service Bulletin 205-79-7 Part II or those equipped with a dual hydraulic system kit as per Bell SI 205-37 (section 39-105(2)).
The AD requires that inspections be carried out within 10 hours of time in service following 30 April 1979 and then at intervals not exceeding 10 hours thereafter, until the specified modifications are made (section 39-105(3)). This ongoing inspection requirement ensures that any potential issues with the piston rods are detected and addressed promptly, thereby maintaining the airworthiness of the affected helicopters (section 39-105(3)). Compliance with these directives is crucial for ensuring the safe operation of the helicopters, and relevant documentation such as Bell Alert SB 205-79-7 and Textron SB FMTC 244 must be followed (section 39-105(4)).
Operators and owners of the specified Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series helicopters are required to adhere to the inspection schedule outlined in the AD. Failure to comply with these inspection requirements can result in serious safety issues, including potential structural failure during flight (section 39-105(5)). The AD places the responsibility squarely on the operator or owner to ensure that inspections are conducted within the stipulated timeframes and that any necessary modifications are implemented as directed (section 39-105(5)). Non-compliance with these regulatory requirements may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved (section 39-105(6)).
In terms of penalties and consequences, failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can result in significant legal and financial repercussions. The Civil Aviation Act 1988 provides for enforcement actions by CASA, including fines and potential prosecution for non-compliance (section 92). The maximum penalties can vary, but they can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment for individuals responsible for the oversight and operation of the aircraft (section 92(1)). Ensuring adherence to the AD is therefore not only a safety imperative but also a legal obligation to avoid these severe consequences.