COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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.
Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 205/71 Main Rotor Tension-Torsion Strap 1/2003
DM
Applicability: Model 205A, 205A-1, and 205B helicopters, with main rotor tension-torsion (TT) strap, part number 204-012-122-1, -5, or 214-010-179-1, installed.
Requirement: Remove and replace any TT strap with 1,200 hours total time in service or 24 or more months since initial installation on any helicopter, whichever occurs first.
This Directive revises the Limitations section of the maintenance manual by establishing a life limit for TT straps, part number 204-012-122-1, -5, or 214-010- 179-1, of 1,200 hours total time in service or 24 months since initial installation on any helicopter, whichever occurs first.
Note: FAA AD 2002-22-14 Amdt 39-12941 refers.
Compliance: Before further flight after 27 November 2002, unless already accomplished.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 27 November 2002.
Background: The original FAA AD requirement (AD 80-17-09) was prompted by an offshore accident of a Model 212 helicopter in which a TT strap reportedly failed in- flight after 2,140 hours total time in service, with resulting loss of the main rotor blade. This Directive restates the requirements AD 80-17-09, establishes a life limit for TT straps by revising the Limitations section of the maintenance manual, and adds Models 205A and 205B helicopters to the applicability. The actions required by this
Directive are intended to prevent failure of a TT strap, loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 22 November 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 27 November 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, are fundamental to ensuring the safety of the Australian aviation sector. This legislation is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which issues Airworthiness Directives to address identified safety issues. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 aim to provide a robust framework for the regulation of civil aviation activities in Australia, ensuring that aircraft and aeronautical products meet safety standards. This legislation is particularly crucial in addressing problems related to aircraft safety and maintenance, ensuring that any identified unsafe conditions are promptly and effectively managed. For example, Airworthiness Directive AD/BELL 205/71 issued in 2003 aims to rectify a specific safety issue concerning the main rotor tension-torsion straps on Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters, thereby preventing potential failures and enhancing overall aviation safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters, namely the Model 205A, 205A-1, and 205B helicopters, that are equipped with a main rotor tension-torsion (TT) strap with part numbers 204-012-122-1, -5, or 214-010-179-1. This legislative instrument establishes the requirement to remove and replace any TT strap with 1,200 hours of total time in service or after 24 months from initial installation, whichever comes first. The directive became effective on 27 November 2002 and is applicable to all relevant aircraft registered in Australia, thereby extending its reach across the Commonwealth. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, David Alan Villiers, issued this directive to ensure the safety of air operations by preventing the failure of the TT strap, which could lead to the loss of a main rotor blade and subsequent loss of control over the helicopter.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 pertains to specific models of Bell Helicopter Textron 205 Series Helicopters, namely the 205A, 205A-1, and 205B. This AD is aimed at addressing a safety concern related to the main rotor tension-torsion (TT) strap, part numbers 204-012-122-1, -5, or 214-010-179-1. The directive mandates the removal and replacement of these TT straps when they reach 1,200 hours of total time in service or after 24 months since initial installation, whichever occurs first. This requirement is outlined in the AD/BELL 205/71 and is intended to prevent the failure of the TT strap, which could result in the loss of a main rotor blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Operators of the affected helicopter models are obligated to comply with this AD, ensuring that the specified TT straps are replaced before further flight after 27 November 2002, unless the replacement has already been completed. This compliance ensures that the maintenance manual's Limitations section is updated to reflect the established life limit for the TT straps. The AD revises the maintenance manual to include these new life limits and extends the applicability to Models 205A and 205B helicopters, in addition to the original requirement for Model 212 helicopters.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in civil and criminal consequences, although specific penalties are not detailed within the AD itself. However, under the broader framework of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with ADs can lead to significant penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is empowered to enforce these regulations, and violations could result in actions such as grounding the aircraft until compliance is achieved. Such enforcement underscores the critical nature of adhering to ADs to maintain airworthiness and ensure safety in civil aviation.