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 205/65 Vertical Fin Spar Cap 12/99 DM
Applicability: Model 205A-1 helicopters with Vertical Fin Spar Cap PNo 212-030-447-001 or -101 fitted.
Model 205B helicopters with Vertical Fin Spar Cap PNo 212-030-447-101. Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 99-18-02
Amendment 39-11268.
Note: The FAA calls out Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Alert Service Bulletin 205-98- 70 Revision A dated 21 Sept 1998. However, the FAA AD requires inspections and maintenance beyond that of the Bell ASB.
Compliance: In accordance with the requirement document, but with a revised with effect date of 6 October 1999.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 6 October 1999.
Background: The FAA have issued an AD that inspects the vertical fin spar cap for corrosion, cracking and disbonding. The FAA justification cites 5 accidents involving helicopters of a similar design.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, encompasses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, including AD/BELL 205/65, which pertains to Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series helicopters. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this directive was introduced to address safety concerns specific to the vertical fin spar cap of the Bell 205A-1 and 205B helicopter models, particularly those with specific part numbers. The policy objective is to ensure the airworthiness and safety of these aircraft by requiring inspections and maintenance actions that go beyond what is stipulated in the manufacturer's alert service bulletin, thereby aiming to prevent accidents similar to those reported by the Federal Aviation Administration. Compliance with this directive mandates adherence to the technical requirements of FAA AD 99-18-02 Amendment 39-11268, with an effective date of 6 October 1999.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, apply to Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters, more precisely to model 205A-1 helicopters equipped with Vertical Fin Spar Cap PNo 212-030-447-001 or -101 and model 205B helicopters fitted with Vertical Fin Spar Cap PNo 212-030-447-101. These regulations mandate compliance with the technical requirements set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99-18-02 Amendment 39-11268. This directive necessitates inspections and maintenance actions to address issues such as corrosion, cracking, and disbonding of the vertical fin spar cap. The directive is applicable to all operators of the specified helicopter models within the Commonwealth of Australia, thereby imposing a federal obligation on the relevant entities. The requirement to adhere to the FAA AD includes a revised effective date of 6 October 1999, aligning with the FAA's original directive which cites five accidents involving similar helicopter designs as the basis for its issuance. This legislation underscores the importance of maintaining stringent safety standards to mitigate risks associated with structural integrity issues in aviation.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, includes a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives that mandates particular actions for the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/BELL 205/65, focuses on the Vertical Fin Spar Cap of Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series helicopters (sections 39-105 and AD/BELL 205/65). This directive applies to Model 205A-1 helicopters with Vertical Fin Spar Cap PNo 212-030-447-001 or -101, and Model 205B helicopters with Vertical Fin Spar Cap PNo 212-030-447-101. The directive requires actions that align with the technical requirements of FAA AD 99-18-02 Amendment 39-11268. It is essential to follow this directive despite the FAA referencing Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Alert Service Bulletin 205-98-70 Revision A dated 21 September 1998, as the FAA AD encompasses more extensive inspections and maintenance than the Bell ASB.
Operators and owners of the specified Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series helicopters must comply with the AD/BELL 205/65 directive, which mandates inspections and maintenance actions for the vertical fin spar cap to address corrosion, cracking, and disbonding. Compliance with the directive must adhere to the requirement document, but with a revised effect date of 6 October 1999. The directive itself becomes effective on this date, making it imperative for operators to implement the necessary actions to ensure the continued airworthiness of their helicopters.
The obligations imposed by AD/BELL 205/65 include conducting thorough inspections of the vertical fin spar cap, identifying any signs of corrosion, cracking, or disbonding, and taking appropriate maintenance actions as specified in the FAA AD 99-18-02 Amendment 39-11268. Operators must ensure that these inspections and maintenance tasks are performed by qualified personnel and that all necessary documentation is maintained and updated accordingly. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding and other regulatory actions.
In terms of consequences, failure to comply with the AD/BELL 205/65 directive can result in severe penalties. The specific nature and extent of these penalties depend on the severity of the non-compliance and the impact on air safety. Potential consequences can include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory sanctions. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state maximum penalties for each breach, the overarching framework of Australian aviation law provides for significant fines and imprisonment for serious breaches affecting aviation safety.