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 205/45
Amdt 4
Main Rotor Yoke 9/91
Applicability: All helicopters fitted with main rotor yoke P/N 204-011-102- (all dash numbers).
Requirement: 1. Inspect the main rotor yoke in-situ in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Alert SB No. 205-90-36 Revision A, dated 23 March 1990.
2. Remove the yoke assembly from the main rotor hub assembly and inspect the yoke in accordance with FAA AD 79-20-05, Amendment 39-3662.
Compliance: As detailed in the Requirement Documents.
Background: Amendment 3 implemented the additional inspections of ASB 205-87-28, which was issued as a result of fatigue cracks being found in service. It required that visual inspections of the main rotor yoke be performed daily and every 1200 hours/24 months. These are additional to the more detailed 2400 hourly inspection specified in FAA AD 79-20-05.
Amendment 4 specifies Bell Alert SB 205-90-36 which supersedes Alert SB
205-87-28, and adds an additional yoke spindle inspection at 1200 hours/24 month intervals. Inspections done to amendment 3 may be considered for the purposes of determining when next inspections are due.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, address the critical issue of ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft, including helicopters, through the issuance of Airworthiness Directives. One such directive, AD/BELL 205/45 Amendment 4, pertains to the Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters, targeting the problem of fatigue cracks discovered in the main rotor yoke. This amendment was enacted to enhance safety by mandating additional inspections beyond the standard checks, thereby addressing potential structural integrity issues that could compromise flight safety. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, with the policy objective of maintaining and improving the safety standards of aviation operations within Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically address airworthiness directives for aircraft such as the Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters. This particular legislative instrument, AD/BELL 205/45 Amendment 4, pertains to the main rotor yoke of these helicopters. It applies to all helicopters fitted with the main rotor yoke part number 204-011-102, irrespective of their dash numbers. The regulation mandates specific inspection protocols to be conducted by the operator or owner of the aircraft, ensuring the airworthiness of these helicopters by identifying and rectifying potential issues before they escalate into safety concerns. Compliance with this directive is essential for maintaining the operational standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The geographical reach of this legislation is national, as it is enforced under the Commonwealth of Australia's regulatory framework. The directive does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, meaning it applies universally to all helicopters fitting the specified criteria within Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, address the airworthiness directives for certain aircraft, such as the Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters. Section AD/BELL 205/45 Amendment 4, focuses on the main rotor yoke, which is identified by part number 204-011-102 (all dash numbers). This section mandates that inspections of the main rotor yoke must be conducted in-situ as per the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Alert SB No. 205-90-36 Revision A, dated 23 March 1990. Additionally, it requires the yoke assembly to be removed from the main rotor hub assembly and inspected in accordance with FAA AD 79-20-05, Amendment 39-3662. Compliance with these requirements is detailed in the specified requirement documents.
The Act imposes several obligations on the operators and maintainers of Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters. Primarily, they must ensure that all inspections of the main rotor yoke are conducted in a timely manner, adhering to the frequency and method specified in the regulatory documents. This includes performing a visual inspection of the yoke in-situ as well as a more detailed inspection of the yoke after removal from the main rotor hub. The inspections must be carried out to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft, particularly in light of the documented issues with fatigue cracks. The amendments to the airworthiness directive have been made to address these safety concerns by implementing additional inspection protocols.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 could result in significant consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions might include fines, operational restrictions, or even grounding of the aircraft until the necessary inspections and repairs are performed. In more severe cases, operators and maintainers could face criminal charges, which could result in substantial penalties, both financial and reputational, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance.