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 206/114 Fuel System Flow Switches 9/88
Applicability: All model 206L S/N 45001 through 45153 and 46601 through 46617. All model 206L-1 S/N 45154 through 45790.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Bell Alert Service Bulletin 206L-88- 52. Compliance: Unless already accomplished, at the next inspection for issue of a Maintenance
Release or by 30 November 1988, whichever occurs first.
Background: A number of accidents and incidents have been caused by the old style fuel flow switches being blocked by fuel system contaminants. If blockage of the flow switch occurs the L/FUEL PUMP and R/FUEL PUMP caution lights will fail to illuminate. Fuel contaminants can also block the manifold and dual ejector pump nozzle causing the fuel transfer system to become inoperative. Failure by the pilot to detect these blockages can result in an engine flameout.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, contain provisions related to the airworthiness of aircraft in Australia, including directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). One such directive is AD/BELL 206/114 concerning Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. This directive was introduced to address safety concerns regarding the fuel system flow switches in specific models of Bell helicopters. The problem it aimed to resolve was the occurrence of accidents and incidents caused by blockages in the fuel flow switches due to fuel system contaminants, which could lead to engine flameouts if not detected by the pilot. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the safety of flight operations by mandating compliance with Bell Alert Service Bulletin 206L-88-52, thereby mitigating the risks associated with fuel system failures.
This legislative instrument was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and is part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which are administered by CASA. The directive requires action to be taken in accordance with the specified service bulletin, with compliance due by 30 November 1988, or at the next inspection for the issue of a Maintenance Release, whichever comes first. The directive applies to specific serial numbers of model 206L and model 206L-1 helicopters, ensuring that all affected aircraft meet the required safety standards to prevent fuel system-related incidents.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, apply to the Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. This legislation mandates compliance with Bell Alert Service Bulletin 206L-88-52 for particular serial numbers of the Bell 206L and Bell 206L-1 models. The directive applies to helicopters with specific serial numbers, requiring action to be taken either at the next inspection for a Maintenance Release or by a specified date, 30 November 1988, whichever comes first. The regulation is designed to address safety concerns related to fuel system flow switches and their susceptibility to blockage by fuel contaminants, which could lead to engine flameout if not detected by the pilot. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this legislation is governed by the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniform compliance across all states and territories. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this directive, and any variations or extensions are subject to subordinate instruments as detailed in the regulations.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that govern the safe operation of aircraft within Australia. One such AD, AD/BELL 206/114, pertains to the fuel system flow switches of the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters (s. 1). This directive applies to certain serial number ranges of these models, including all model 206L S/N 45001 through 45153 and 46601 through 46617, and all model 206L-1 S/N 45154 through 45790 (s. 2). The requirement is that the action specified in Bell Alert Service Bulletin 206L-88-52 must be taken. This action must be carried out either at the next inspection for the issue of a Maintenance Release or by 30 November 1988, whichever comes first (s. 3).
The directive imposes obligations on the operators and maintainers of the affected helicopters. Specifically, they must ensure that the fuel system flow switches are inspected and, if necessary, actioned in accordance with the Bell Alert Service Bulletin 206L-88-52. This includes checking for and clearing any blockages that could prevent the fuel pump caution lights from illuminating or cause the fuel transfer system to become inoperative. Failure to comply with these requirements could compromise the safety of the aircraft and put it at risk of engine flameout, which is a critical safety issue (s. 4).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive can lead to serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can result in civil penalties. The maximum penalty for non-compliance with a direction issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can be significant. For a body corporate, the penalty can reach up to $210,000 for each offence. Additionally, individuals who are responsible for ensuring compliance may also face personal penalties, which can include fines and, in some cases, imprisonment. It is crucial for operators and maintainers to adhere to the directive to avoid these severe consequences and to ensure the continued airworthiness of their aircraft (s. 5).