COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 206/100 Main Rotor Blade Retaining Nuts
P/N 206-011-119-1
12/85
Applicability: All Augusta Bell AB206A and AB206B helicopters up to and including S/N8692 equipped with P/N206-011-119-1 non- metallic locking feature nuts.
Requirement: Augusta B.T. No. 206-168.
Compliance: Part I: Before further flight after 4 November 1985 and thereafter at each daily inspection prior to compliance with Part II of the requirement document.
Part II: Before further flight after 31 December 1985.
Background: An AB206B-1 helicopter main rotor blade retaining nut P/N206-011-119-1 was found cracked during a main rotor head inspection following reports of an abnormal vibration level, level, which became more evident during engine shut-down.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Australian Parliament to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. These regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and cover a wide range of safety standards and requirements for aircraft and aviation operations. One of the key provisions within these regulations is Part 39 - 105, which establishes the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This particular schedule addresses the safety of specific aircraft models, such as the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. The purpose of these directives is to mandate specific maintenance and inspection requirements to ensure that these aircraft meet airworthiness standards and continue to operate safely. The policy objective underlying these directives is to enhance aviation safety by addressing known issues and mitigating risks associated with specific aircraft components.
In response to an incident involving a cracked main rotor blade retaining nut on an AB206B-1 helicopter, which was discovered during a main rotor head inspection following reports of abnormal vibration levels, a specific Airworthiness Directive (AD/BELL 206/100) was issued. This directive requires that inspections and compliance checks be conducted on the main rotor blade retaining nuts of certain Bell 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters. The directive aims to ensure that these critical components are inspected and maintained properly to prevent failures that could lead to safety incidents. The requirement outlined in Augusta B.T. No. 206-168 must be met before further flight, particularly after specific dates mentioned in the directive.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Augusta Bell AB206A and AB206B helicopters up to and including serial number 8692 that are equipped with main rotor blade retaining nuts part number 206-011-119-1, featuring a non-metallic locking mechanism. This regulation is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and pertains to the maintenance and safety of these helicopters within Australia. The geographic scope of this regulation is national, as it is issued under the Commonwealth of Australia's legislative framework. The regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, and compliance thresholds are set by specific dates: before further flight after 4 November 1985 for daily inspections in accordance with Part I of the requirement document, and before further flight after 31 December 1985 for compliance with Part II. The regulation may extend its application through subordinate instruments or additional directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth) under Part 39 - 105 impose specific requirements on the maintenance and inspection of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters, particularly concerning the main rotor blade retaining nuts. Section AD/BELL 206/100 applies to all Augusta Bell AB206A and AB206B helicopters up to and including serial number 8692 equipped with the P/N 206-011-119-1 non-metallic locking feature nuts. The regulation mandates that these aircraft must comply with Augusta B.T. No. 206-168.
The requirement under Part I of this directive stipulates that the main rotor blade retaining nuts must be inspected before any further flight after 4 November 1985 and thereafter at each daily inspection before compliance with Part II. Part II of the requirement dictates that further flights must occur after 31 December 1985. This was prompted by the discovery of a cracked main rotor blade retaining nut P/N 206-011-119-1 during a routine inspection of an AB206B-1 helicopter, following reports of abnormal vibration levels, which intensified during engine shut-down.
The Civil Aviation Regulations impose several obligations on the parties governed by this Act. Operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the specified inspections are conducted as mandated. This includes performing inspections prior to each flight and adhering to the timelines set forth by the regulations. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding and potential safety hazards.
The Act also includes provisions for offences and penalties. Violations of these safety directives can result in significant civil and criminal consequences. Specifically, operators who fail to comply with these directives may face fines and other penalties as prescribed by the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth). The maximum penalties can include substantial financial penalties and potential imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of non-compliance with aviation safety regulations. These stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to the specified maintenance and inspection protocols to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.