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 206/119
Amdt 1
Main Rotor Flight Control System Bolts 8/90
Applicability: All model Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Bell Alert Service Bulletin 206-89-48, 206L-89-61 or Agusta Bell Service Bulletin 206-190 as applicable.
Compliance: 1. For Bell 206 and 206L series - At the next inspection for issue of a Maintenance Release after 30 April 1990 or by 30 October 1990, whichever occurs first.
Thereafter, reinspect at intervals not exceeding 24 calendar months.
2. For Agusta Bell 206 series - At next inspection for issue of a Maintenance Release after 30 September 1990 or by 28 February 1991, whichever occurs first. Thereafter, reinspect at intervals not exceeding 24 calendar months.
Background: Bell has advised that some of the rotating control bolts have been found corroded, fretting and/or with excessive wear on the bolt shank. This amendment adds the Agusta 206 series to this Directive.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, address the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australia. Enacted by the Australian Government, these regulations are designed to ensure the highest standards of safety in civil aviation. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were introduced to fill the legislative gap in maintaining airworthiness and safety standards, thereby protecting the public and ensuring the integrity of the aviation industry. The policy objective behind these regulations is to mandate strict compliance with airworthiness directives and maintenance schedules, as exemplified by the specific Airworthiness Directive issued for the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. This directive mandates specific inspections and maintenance actions to address issues such as corrosion, fretting, and wear on rotating control bolts, ensuring that these critical components are maintained to prevent any potential safety risks.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to the airworthiness of all aircraft registered in Australia, and this particular regulation focuses on specific directives for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. The regulation mandates that the Main Rotor Flight Control System bolts on these aircraft must adhere to the directives outlined in Bell Alert Service Bulletin 206-89-48, 206L-89-61 or Agusta Bell Service Bulletin 206-190, as applicable. The directive requires immediate action upon the next inspection for a Maintenance Release after specific dates, with further reinspections scheduled at intervals not exceeding 24 calendar months. The regulation applies to all models within the specified series and extends its reach nationally, ensuring that compliance is monitored and enforced across all jurisdictions within Australia. The directive does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, but compliance is essential for maintaining the airworthiness of these helicopters.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105, include a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives that mandate certain actions for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft. Section AD/BELL 206/119 Amendment 1 pertains to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters, focusing on the main rotor flight control system bolts (Section 1). The primary requirement is that operators must take action in accordance with Bell Alert Service Bulletin 206-89-48, 206L-89-61, or Agusta Bell Service Bulletin 206-190 as applicable (Section 2).
Operators and entities governed by these regulations must comply with the specified timelines for inspections and maintenance. For Bell 206 and 206L series helicopters, the initial compliance must occur at the next inspection for a Maintenance Release after 30 April 1990 or by 30 October 1990, whichever comes first (Section 3(1)). Subsequent inspections must be carried out at intervals not exceeding 24 calendar months (Section 3(1)). For Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters, the compliance must take place at the next inspection for a Maintenance Release after 30 September 1990 or by 28 February 1991, whichever comes first, with subsequent inspections also at intervals not exceeding 24 calendar months (Section 3(2)).
The background of the directive (Section 4) reveals that Bell has identified issues with some of the rotating control bolts, including corrosion, fretting, and excessive wear on the bolt shank. This amendment extends the directive to include the Agusta 206 series, ensuring that all relevant models adhere to the same maintenance standards. Failure to comply with these directives can result in serious safety concerns and potential regulatory action.
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state the penalties or consequences for non-compliance with these directives within the provided text. However, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can generally lead to severe civil and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, as well as operational restrictions on the aircraft. The exact penalties would be determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in accordance with other relevant sections of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998.