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 206/102
Amdt 2
Tail Rotor Yoke and Pitch Links 5/87
Applicability: All model Bell 206A, B, L and Agusta Bell AB206A, B, L helicopters equipped with tail rotor yoke P/N 206-011-819-101 and crosshead P/N 206-010-741-001/-003.
Requirement: 1. Inspect in accordance with Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 206-86-31.
Note: FAA AD 86-24-01 and Italian AD 87-2/AB206-118 also refer.
2. Install crosshead P/N 206-011-857-001.
Compliance: 1. Unless already accomplished, within 10 hours time in service after 7 May 1987.
2. Unless already accomplished, if contact is evident replace crosshead before further flight. If no contact is evident install crosshead within 200 hours time in service or 90 days after 7 May 1987 which ever occurs first.
Background: The manufacturer has received reports of tail rotor pitch links contacting the tail rotor yoke, when applying full left pedal and full flap of the tail rotor hub and blade assembly. This Directive has been amended to include Agusta Bell helicopters.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, was enacted to ensure the safety and reliability of civil aviation operations within Australia. This legislation addresses the specific issue of tail rotor yoke and pitch link failures in Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters, as identified in AD/BELL 206/102 Amendment 2. The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) established this directive to mitigate the risk of in-flight failures due to reported instances of tail rotor pitch links contacting the tail rotor yoke under certain operational conditions. The policy objective is to mandate regular inspections and necessary replacements or installations to maintain the airworthiness of these helicopters, thereby ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew.
The enacting body for these regulations is the Australian Parliament, which authorised CASA to implement these safety directives to uphold the highest standards of aviation safety. The directive requires all specified model helicopters to comply with detailed inspection and replacement protocols within prescribed timeframes to prevent potential in-flight hazards. This legislative measure aims to align with international safety standards, referencing similar directives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Italian authorities, ensuring a consistent approach to aviation safety across jurisdictions.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), mandate compliance for all operators of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters equipped with tail rotor yoke part number 206-011-819-101 and crosshead part number 206-010-741-001/-003. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia. This directive requires operators to inspect the specified components in accordance with Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 206-86-31 and, if necessary, replace the crosshead part with part number 206-011-857-001. Compliance must be achieved within 10 hours of service time following 7 May 1987, or if no contact is evident, within 200 hours of service time or 90 days after 7 May 1987, whichever occurs first. The directive extends to both Australian and international standards, referencing FAA AD 86-24-01 and Italian AD 87-2/AB206-118, ensuring a harmonised approach to safety across jurisdictions.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the airworthiness directives for various aircraft, including the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters. Within this regulation, AD/BELL 206/102 Amendment 2 mandates the inspection and replacement of specific components in the tail rotor system of affected helicopters (Section 1). The directive applies to all model Bell 206A, B, L and Agusta Bell AB206A, B, L helicopters equipped with certain tail rotor yoke and crosshead parts (Section 2).
This legislative provision requires operators of the specified helicopters to conduct an inspection in accordance with Bell Helicopter Alert Service Bulletin 206-86-31, referencing FAA AD 86-24-01 and Italian AD 87-2/AB206-118 (Section 3.1). Furthermore, the installation of a new crosshead part number 206-011-857-001 is mandated (Section 3.2). Operators must ensure compliance within specified time frames: inspections and necessary replacements must be completed within 10 hours of service time after 7 May 1987, or before further flight if contact between the tail rotor pitch links and yoke is evident (Section 4.1). If no contact is evident, the installation of the new crosshead must occur within 200 hours of service time or 90 days after 7 May 1987, whichever comes first (Section 4.2).
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in serious safety concerns and potential legal ramifications. Non-compliance with the requirements outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 could lead to aircraft being deemed unairworthy, with subsequent enforcement actions taken by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This may include fines, suspension of operations, or other regulatory penalties. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the legislative text but are governed by the broader provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations, which can include substantial financial penalties and criminal charges for serious breaches.