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 206/108 Stabilizer Identification 10/87 DM
Applicability: All model 206L-1 and 206L-3 with stabilizer assembly P/No. 206-023-119-151 installed.
Requirement: Inspect the stabilizer assembly P/No. 206-023-119-151 and determine if one of the following S/Nos. is installed: AO-02065, AO-02069, AO-02075, AO-02080,
AO-02084, AO-02095, AO-02097, AO-02126, AO-02132, AO-02136, AO-02144, AO-02149, AO-02150, AO-02166 and AO-10644.
Compliance: Inspect prior to 19 August 1987 - if found installed replace before further flight.
Background: The manufacturer reports that a number of stabilizers were rejected during the manufacturing process for bonding discrepancies. After mechanical deformation they were sold as scrap material. The manufacturer reports that at least one stabilizer was repaired by an unknown agent using an unapproved method, given an airworthy appearance and installed on an operating helicopter. It is probable that other or all of the rejected parts have been distributed as serviceable spares.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, including the directive AD/BELL 206/108, which pertains to the identification and inspection of stabilizer assemblies in Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters. This directive was enacted to address a significant safety concern arising from the installation of potentially defective stabilizer assemblies in certain model 206L-1 and 206L-3 helicopters. The issue at hand involves specific serial numbers of stabilizer assemblies that were either rejected during the manufacturing process due to bonding discrepancies or subsequently repaired using unapproved methods. These assemblies, if not properly identified and replaced, could pose a risk to the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft. The policy objective behind this legislation is to ensure the integrity and safety of aviation operations by mandating the inspection and replacement of these potentially unsafe components.
The legislation is enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, through CASA, to ensure that all affected aircraft are inspected and any identified defective stabilizer assemblies are replaced before further flight. This proactive approach aims to mitigate any potential risks associated with the use of these parts, thereby protecting both the operators and the passengers of the affected helicopters.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) Airworthiness Directives, which apply to the aviation industry within Australia’s national airspace. This particular regulation, AD/BELL 206/108, targets all model 206L-1 and 206L-3 helicopters equipped with a specific stabilizer assembly, P/No. 206-023-119-151. The directive requires a thorough inspection of the stabilizer assembly to determine if it includes any of the specified serial numbers, which were identified as having bonding discrepancies during the manufacturing process. If any of these serial numbers are found, the assembly must be replaced before any further flight operations. This directive applies to all aircraft operators within Australia who possess these specified helicopter models, ensuring compliance with safety standards to mitigate the risk of mechanical failure.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, contains an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) concerning the Bell 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. This AD, identified as AD/BELL 206/108, focuses on the stabilizer identification and applies to all model 206L-1 and 206L-3 helicopters equipped with a stabilizer assembly bearing the part number 206-023-119-151. According to section 10/87 DM, the directive mandates that these helicopters must be inspected to determine if one of the specified serial numbers (S/Nos.) is installed: AO-02065, AO-02069, AO-02075, AO-02080, AO-02084, AO-02095, AO-02097, AO-02126, AO-02132, AO-02136, AO-02144, AO-02149, AO-02150, AO-02166, and AO-10644. If any of these serial numbers is found, the stabilizer assembly must be replaced before further flight.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators of these helicopters. Operators must ensure that the stabilizer assemblies are inspected prior to 19 August 1987, and if any of the specified serial numbers are found, the stabilizer must be replaced before the helicopter is flown again. The background information provided in the directive highlights that certain stabilizers were rejected during manufacturing due to bonding discrepancies and subsequently sold as scrap. There is a risk that these rejected parts may have been repaired using unapproved methods, given an airworthy appearance, and installed on operating helicopters. This highlights the necessity for thorough inspections and compliance with the AD to ensure safety.
Failure to comply with the AD/BELL 206/108 can lead to significant consequences. Although the regulations do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, breaches of ADs can lead to severe civil or criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Such penalties may include fines and imprisonment for individuals, and fines for corporations. Additionally, non-compliance could result in the grounding of the affected aircraft, which would impact the operational capabilities of the helicopter operator. Ensuring compliance with the AD is therefore critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and avoiding legal repercussions.