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 206/122 Tail Rotor Blade 12/90 TX
Applicability: All model 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 helicopters equipped with tail rotor blades P/N 206-016-201-127.
All model 206A, 206A-1, 206B-1, 206JRII, 206JRIII, TH-57 series, and OH-58B
helicopters equipped with tail rotor blades P/N 206-016-201-125 or -127.
Requirement: a. For model 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3; inspect the tail rotor blades, and remove from service any blade with a serial number identified in Bell Alert Service Bulletin No 206L-90-71.
b. For model 206A, 206A-1, 206B-1, 206BJRII, 206BJRIII, TH-57 series, and OH- 58B; inspect the tail rotor blades, and remove from service any blade with a serial number identified in Bell Alert Service Bulletin No 206-90-58.
Compliance: Prior to further flight.
Background: An incident was recently reported to the manufacturer in which one tail rotor blade tip weight became dislodged in flight. Investigation has revealed that blades having 5/16 inch diameter threaded tip weights at the centre tip location are suspect. Non- destructive testing methods may not positively identify the condition.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, was enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia to address the safety of aircraft operations by ensuring all aircraft meet the required airworthiness standards. This particular legislative instrument, AD/BELL 206/122, was introduced to tackle the specific issue of potential failure in the tail rotor blades of certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters. This directive responds to an incident where a tail rotor blade tip weight became dislodged during flight, highlighting the need for thorough inspections and, if necessary, the removal of blades identified as potentially unsafe. The aim of this legislation is to maintain the highest safety standards in civil aviation by addressing identified vulnerabilities in aircraft components. The policy objective is to prevent accidents and ensure the reliability and safety of helicopters in operation, thereby protecting both the crew and the public.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to the application of Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with this particular directive focusing on Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. This regulation applies to all model 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206A, 206A-1, 206B-1, 206JRII, 206JRIII, TH-57 series, and OH-58B helicopters equipped with specific tail rotor blades identified by their part numbers. The requirement under this directive is for operators to inspect the tail rotor blades and remove from service any blade with a serial number identified in the relevant Bell Alert Service Bulletin, depending on the helicopter model. Compliance with this directive must be achieved before further flight operations are conducted. The directive arises from a reported incident involving a dislodged tail rotor blade tip weight in flight, which has been traced to specific blade serial numbers. The directive underscores the necessity for thorough inspections to ensure safety in air operations.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, provide critical directives concerning the airworthiness of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters. One such directive, AD/BELL 206/122, pertains to the tail rotor blades of these helicopters. Section 12/90 TX of this directive mandates that certain models of Bell helicopters, including the 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, 206A, 206A-1, 206B-1, 206JRII, 206JRIII, TH-57 series, and OH-58B, must undergo specific inspections and actions regarding their tail rotor blades.
The directive requires inspection of the tail rotor blades, with specific attention to those with particular part numbers: 206-016-201-127 for the 206L models and 206-016-201-125 or -127 for the other models. For the 206L models, any blade with a serial number identified in Bell Alert Service Bulletin No 206L-90-71 must be removed from service. Similarly, for the other models, any blade with a serial number identified in Bell Alert Service Bulletin No 206-90-58 must also be removed from service. These inspections and removals must occur before any further flight operations are conducted.
Operators of these helicopters must ensure compliance with the directive by conducting thorough inspections and taking the necessary actions to remove any suspect blades from service. This includes verifying the serial numbers of the tail rotor blades against the specified service bulletins and acting promptly to remove any blades that match the identified serial numbers. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, potentially leading to significant safety risks and operational disruptions.
Failure to adhere to the provisions of AD/BELL 206/122 could have severe consequences, including potential regulatory action against the operator or the manufacturer. In the event of non-compliance, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement measures, which could include fines, operational restrictions, or even grounding of the affected aircraft until compliance is achieved. The seriousness of the directive reflects the potential safety implications of the identified issue with the tail rotor blades, underscoring the importance of meticulous adherence to the specified requirements.