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 205/60 Tail Rotor Driveshaft Hangar Bearings 1/92
Applicability: All models 205A and 205A-1 fitted with tail rotor driveshaft bearings P/N 204-040- 623-003 with S/N prefixed with either “T” or “N” prior to N4000 and all -005 bearings with a S/N prefix “T” or “N”.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Bell Alert Service Bulletin 205-91-43 Revision A.
Note: FAA Priority Letter AD 91-24-16 refers.
Compliance: Daily before first flight of the day after 12 January 1992.
Background: A daily inspection of the tail rotor driveshaft bearings has been found necessary following a fatal accident which revealed the possibility of a production batch problem with these bearings.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, introduce measures to enhance the safety of Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters. Enacted to address the critical issue of tail rotor driveshaft hangar bearings, this legislation mandates stringent checks for all models 205A and 205A-1 equipped with certain bearing specifications. The urgency of these safety directives is underscored by the fatal accident that prompted a thorough investigation, leading to the identification of potential production batch problems in the bearings. Compliance with the directive, which requires daily inspections before the first flight of the day post 12 January 1992, is mandated to ensure the ongoing airworthiness and safety of these aircraft. The policy objective, as per the Federal Register of Legislation, is to mitigate the risk of accidents associated with bearing failure by enforcing these rigorous inspection protocols.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the tail rotor driveshaft hangar bearings of Bell Helicopter Textron 205 series helicopters, specifically models 205A and 205A-1, that are fitted with particular tail rotor driveshaft bearings. These include bearings with part number 204-040-623-003, serial numbers prefixed with "T" or "N" prior to N4000, and all -005 bearings with a serial number prefix "T" or "N". The directive applies to all such helicopters that were manufactured before 12 January 1992 and mandates adherence to the requirements set out in Bell Alert Service Bulletin 205-91-43 Revision A, as referenced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Priority Letter AD 91-24-16. The purpose of this directive is to ensure the safety of these aircraft by requiring a daily inspection of the specified bearings before the first flight of the day following the date of the directive. This measure was prompted by a fatal accident that highlighted the potential for production batch issues with these bearings. This AD applies to the entire Commonwealth of Australia, as CASA is the regulatory body under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and has jurisdiction over all civil aviation activities within Australia. No exclusions or exemptions are specified in this particular directive, and compliance is mandatory for all affected aircraft operators.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, outlines specific requirements for the airworthiness directives related to the Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters. Section AD/BELL 205/60 mandates the inspection and maintenance of tail rotor driveshaft hangar bearings for all models 205A and 205A-1. The directive specifically targets those aircraft fitted with tail rotor driveshaft bearings part number 204-040-623-003 with serial numbers prefixed with either "T" or "N" prior to N4000 and all -005 bearings with a serial number prefix "T" or "N". This action is to be carried out in accordance with Bell Alert Service Bulletin 205-91-43 Revision A, as referenced by FAA Priority Letter AD 91-24-16.
The regulations impose a stringent requirement that a daily inspection of the tail rotor driveshaft bearings must be conducted before the first flight of the day following 12 January 1992. This requirement stems from a fatal accident that highlighted a potential production batch issue with these bearings, making regular and thorough inspections essential for ensuring the safety of flights. Compliance with these directives is critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the specified helicopter models.
Failure to adhere to the airworthiness directives outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations can result in severe consequences. The regulations do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, but non-compliance with such directives could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include fines, grounding of the aircraft, or other regulatory measures designed to ensure that the safety standards are met. The severity of the penalties depends on the nature and extent of the non-compliance and the potential risk it poses to flight safety.
In summary, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, mandate a daily inspection of the tail rotor driveshaft bearings for specific Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series models. Compliance with these directives is crucial for maintaining the airworthiness of these aircraft, and failure to comply can result in significant regulatory and safety repercussions.