AD/BELL 206/129 Amdt 1 - Main Landing Gear Cross Tubes

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. One particular regulation under Part 39, Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses specific maintenance requirements for certain models of helicopters. Specifically, AD/BELL 206/129 Amendment 1 pertains to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters, and was introduced to address the problem of cross tube failures in the main landing gear, which have caused serious injuries and significant damage. The policy objective of this amendment is to align Australian requirements with those of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, ensuring consistency in safety standards and compliance deadlines. This legislative instrument was developed to rectify the unpredictable cracking of cross tubes in the main landing gear of Bell 206A, 206B, and 206C series helicopters, which has been observed both domestically and internationally. The directive mandates the removal from service and permanent marking as unserviceable of specific cross tube assemblies to mitigate the risk of failure. By amending the original directive, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has updated the inspection and compliance requirements, reflecting the latest safety standards and extending the compliance date to 30 September 1995. This ensures that all affected helicopters meet the necessary safety criteria to prevent accidents and enhance aviation safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives, apply to all Bell and Agusta Bell 206A, 206B, and 206C series helicopters. This legislation mandates that the main landing gear cross tube assemblies must be removed from service and permanently marked as unserviceable if they correspond to certain part numbers or unidentified assemblies. The directive is applicable to all helicopters of the specified series, irrespective of the operator or owner, and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) within Australia. Compliance with the directive is required prior to 30 September 1995, aligning Australian requirements with those of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and superseding previous inspection schemes. The directive addresses safety concerns stemming from unpredictable cracking in cross tubes, which has led to serious incidents, including roll-overs and injuries. Any deviation from these requirements may result in the grounding of non-compliant helicopters until the specified parts are addressed.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, mandates the removal and marking as unserviceable of certain main landing gear cross tubes for Bell and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters, as per AD/BELL 206/129 Amendment 1. This directive applies to all Bell and Agusta Bell 206A, 206B, and 206C series helicopters. The requirement is to remove from service and permanently mark as unserviceable the cross tube assemblies listed, which include specific part numbers from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) and Airborne Supply Inc. Additionally, the directive covers unidentified assemblies, indicating a broad scope of applicability. This mandate aims to address the issue of unpredictable cracking in these cross tubes, which has led to failures and rollovers with serious consequences. The obligations under this Act for the operators and owners of Bell and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters include the immediate inspection of their aircraft's main landing gear cross tubes. If any of the specified part numbers or unidentified assemblies are present, they must be removed from service and clearly marked as unserviceable. This action must be taken prior to 30 September 1995, as stipulated by the directive. The directive also references relevant Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Bell Alert Service Bulletins, indicating a need for operators to stay informed of related safety communications. Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/BELL 206/129 Amendment 1 can have significant legal and safety consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the directive, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can generally result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory penalties. The safety implications are equally serious, as continued operation of the affected helicopters without the required modifications could lead to catastrophic failures, potentially resulting in loss of life, severe injury, and substantial property damage. Therefore, adherence to the directive is not only a legal requirement but also a critical safety measure.