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 206/118 Bogus Tension Torsion Straps 13/89
TX
Applicability: Models 206A/B, 206BIII, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1 and 206L-3.
Requirement: Action in accordance with BHT ASB 206-89-46 Rev A or ASB 206L-89-60 as applicable.
Compliance: Prior to further flight after 3 November 1989.
Background: The T.T. straps listed are of unknown quality having been produced without either the approval of the aircraft manufacturer or a FAA PMA.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aim to maintain high safety standards in the aviation industry. One of the legislative instruments under this regulation, F2006B04432, was introduced to address the issue of bogus tension torsion straps in certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters. This legislative instrument, effective from 3 November 1989, mandates actions to ensure the safety of these helicopters by requiring compliance with specified airworthiness directives. The primary policy objective is to eliminate safety risks associated with the use of tension torsion straps of unknown quality, which were produced without the requisite approvals from the aircraft manufacturer or the Federal Aviation Administration Production Approval. Compliance with these directives is mandatory before any further flight operations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, applies to certain models of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters. This includes models 206A/B, 206BIII, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3. The directive mandates compliance with Bell Helicopter Textron Canada's Airworthiness Service Bulletin (ASB) 206-89-46 Rev A or ASB 206L-89-60 as appropriate, focusing on addressing issues with bogus tension torsion straps, which are of unknown quality and were produced without the necessary approvals. The requirement necessitates corrective action before any further flight after 3 November 1989, ensuring that the safety and airworthiness of these helicopters are maintained according to the specified standards. This legislation applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, impacting operators and owners of the affected helicopter models within the national jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, mandate the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of civil aviation. Specifically, AD/BELL 206/118 pertains to the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters, requiring action regarding bogus tension torsion (T.T.) straps (Section 13/89TX). This directive applies to models 206A/B, 206BIII, 206B-1, 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3. Operators must comply with the actions specified in BHT ASB 206-89-46 Rev A or ASB 206L-89-60, as applicable. The directive demands that these actions be taken before further flight after 3 November 1989 to ensure the safety of these aircraft.
The Act imposes clear obligations on helicopter operators, particularly those operating the specified Bell models. They must adhere to the requirements outlined in the airworthiness directive. This includes ensuring that any bogus tension torsion straps identified as of unknown quality, and not approved by the aircraft manufacturer or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are addressed appropriately. Operators must take action in accordance with the specified service bulletins (BHT ASB 206-89-46 Rev A or ASB 206L-89-60) to rectify the issue. This ensures that these potentially unsafe components are either replaced or otherwise addressed to meet the necessary safety standards.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/BELL 206/118 could result in serious safety risks, potentially leading to civil or criminal penalties. The exact consequences for non-compliance are not detailed in the provided text, but under the broader Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to significant fines and potential imprisonment. Specifically, under Section 97 of the Act, the penalties for failing to comply with an airworthiness directive can include fines up to $275,000 for individuals and up to $1.375 million for corporations, along with potential imprisonment terms. Therefore, it is crucial for operators to take the required actions to ensure compliance and avoid these severe penalties.