COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/BELL 205/66 Main Rotor - Pillow Block Attachment Bolts 8/2000
Applicability: All models with main rotor yokes P/N 204-011-102-(all dash numbers) installed. Requirement: Action in accordance with Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 205-90-38
Revision A.
Note 1: FAA AD 92-23-01 refers.
Aircraft incorporating stainless steel main rotor yokes are excluded from this directive.
Note 2: BHT Alert SB 205-92-51 refers.
Compliance: As detailed in the Requirement document.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 10 August 2000.
Background: A review of the bolt replacement requirement for Bell 212 helicopters has revealed that it is also applicable to the Model 205. There have been five cases of main rotor pillow block attachment bolt fatigue cracks reported. The requirement is intended to prevent failure of the pillow block attachment bolts and consequent separation of the main rotor assembly. The requirements of the Bell Alert SB are not applicable to the stainless steel main rotor yoke assembly.
Bernard Malcom Hole
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 27 June 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 12 July 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), specifically under Part 39 - 105, introduces an Airworthiness Directive (AD) addressing safety concerns for the Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters. This legislative instrument was enacted to address the specific issue of fatigue cracks in the main rotor pillow block attachment bolts, which could potentially lead to the separation of the main rotor assembly. The AD was issued by Bernard Malcom Hole, a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), on 27 June 2000, and it became effective on 10 August 2000. The directive mandates that all models with specific main rotor yokes installed must follow the requirements outlined in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 205-90-38 Revision A, ensuring that the necessary actions are taken to rectify the unsafe condition. The policy objective is to enhance the safety of the aircraft by preventing potential failures of the main rotor assembly due to bolt fatigue.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/BELL 205/66, pertains to all Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series helicopters equipped with main rotor yokes part number 204-011-102, including all dash numbers. This directive is issued by the delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of the aircraft by addressing the potential unsafe condition related to the main rotor pillow block attachment bolts. The directive mandates that the action specified in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 205-90-38 Revision A be followed to mitigate the risk of fatigue cracks in the bolts, which could lead to the separation of the main rotor assembly. Notably, aircraft with stainless steel main rotor yokes are excluded from this directive. This directive applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, as it is a regulation under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, and its scope is national. The directive became effective on 10 August 2000, with compliance to be achieved in accordance with the instructions provided in the requirement document.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) under PART 39 - 105, specifically address the Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft, including the Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters. This particular directive, AD/BELL 205/66, pertains to the main rotor pillow block attachment bolts. It is designed to address and mitigate the risk of unsafe conditions related to the mentioned bolts. The directive applies to all models with specific main rotor yokes installed, excluding those with stainless steel yokes (section 8/2000).
The main requirement (Requirement section) of this directive is that the action specified in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 205-90-38 Revision A must be taken. This involves following the detailed instructions provided within the bulletin to ensure the safety of the helicopter. The directive also references other related documents, such as FAA AD 92-23-01 and BHT Alert SB 205-92-51, for further guidance and context. The compliance period for this directive is detailed within the requirement document, and it became effective on 10 August 2000.
The obligations imposed by this Airworthiness Directive are primarily on the owners and operators of the affected Bell 205 Series Helicopters. They must ensure that the specified maintenance actions are carried out as per the directive. This involves adhering to the instructions from the referenced Bell Alert Service Bulletin and ensuring that the maintenance work is performed correctly and within the specified timeframe. Failure to comply with the requirements can result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, potentially leading to grounding and legal repercussions.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in severe consequences. Non-compliance can lead to significant safety risks, including the potential for main rotor failure and consequent separation of the rotor assembly. Under CAR 1998, there are specific penalties for non-compliance, which can include fines and other enforcement actions. The exact penalties may vary depending on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). In some cases, persistent non-compliance can also lead to criminal charges, further emphasizing the importance of adhering to the directive.