AD/BELL 206/123 Amdt 1 - Emergency Float Bags

Overview

The Commonwealth of Australia, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, enacted the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation. The problem addressed by this legislation is the potential risk of uneven inflation in emergency float bags for certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters, which could result in an increased risk of the aircraft overturning during an emergency water landing. This issue was identified following reports of inconsistent float bag inflation during routine functional tests. The policy objective of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 is to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework that ensures the safety of civil aviation operations within Australia, including the issuing of airworthiness directives to address specific safety concerns. The regulations, including those pertaining to emergency float bags, aim to mitigate risks and maintain the highest standards of air safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, outlines the requirements for the airworthiness directives related to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. This regulation applies to Bell 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and Agusta Bell AB206A and AB206B helicopters that are equipped with emergency float bags and manufactured prior to 1 September 1989. These float bags are identified by part numbers 206-050-248-107, -109, and 111 and are used in BHTI emergency float kits 206-706-210 and 206-706-211. The directive mandates compliance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 91-03-12 Amendment 39-6856, with a specific requirement to address the issue of uneven float bag inflation. This compliance applies to Australian registered helicopters unless the necessary actions have already been taken. The directive was initially set to be compliant as specified in the Requirement Document with an effective date of 18 April 1991 but was later revised to 7 January 1993. The inclusion of Agusta Bell models in the directive was in response to the issuance of relevant RAI AD 92-332.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, provide detailed specifications and requirements for the airworthiness of various aircraft, including the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. Specifically, AD/BELL 206/123 Amendment 1 addresses the emergency float bags used in these helicopters. This directive applies to Bell 206A, 206B, 206L, 206L-1, 206L-3, and Agusta Bell AB206A and AB206B helicopters that are equipped with emergency float bags manufactured before 1 September 1989. These float bags, part numbers 206-050-248-107, -109, and 111, are components of the BHTI emergency float kits 206-706-210 and 206-706-211. In line with the Federal Aviation Administration's AD 91-03-12 Amendment 39-6856, the requirement is to take action in accordance with the technical specifications outlined in the Requirement Document. Australian registered helicopters must comply with these specifications, with a revised effective date of 7 January 1993. Prior to this amendment, compliance was required as per the specifications in the Requirement Document, with an effective date of 18 April 1991. The directive also notes that the previous issue of this directive, as per Requirement Document, was to be followed. The obligations imposed by this directive require that operators and owners of the specified helicopters ensure that their emergency float bags meet the specified technical requirements. This involves inspecting the float bags and, if necessary, replacing or modifying them to conform to the standards set by the FAA's AD 91-03-12 Amendment 39-6856. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, thereby affecting its operational status and potentially leading to safety concerns. The directive also mandates that all compliance actions be documented and retained for future reference and regulatory inspections. Non-compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and the specific Airworthiness Directives can result in civil and criminal penalties. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce these regulations, and violations may lead to substantial fines and other penalties. For instance, failure to comply with airworthiness directives can result in civil penalties of up to $200,000 for corporations and $40,000 for individuals, as well as potential criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to safety incidents. These stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to the stipulated airworthiness requirements to ensure the safety and compliance of the aircraft in operation.