AD/BELL 206/130 Amdt 1 - Main Landing Gear Cross Tubes (Aeronautical Accessories Inc.)

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Amendment (Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters) Regulations 2006, introduced a specific airworthiness directive concerning Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters. This amendment was introduced to address the identified safety issue of severe cracking of the main landing gear cross tubes. The problem arose after two instances of such cracking were reported in Australia, which prompted Aeronautical Accessories Inc. to issue inspection and modification instructions to prevent similar occurrences with their manufactured cross tubes. The objective of the policy, as outlined in the legislation, is to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these helicopters by mandating specific inspections and modifications of the cross tubes. The Australian Parliament enacted this amendment to ensure the safety of aviation operations within Australia, targeting all models of Bell 206 and Agusta Bell 206 helicopters fitted with cross tubes manufactured by Aeronautical Accessories Inc. The amendment requires inspections and modifications to be conducted within specific timeframes and at regular intervals to mitigate the risk of further cracking and ensure the continued safe operation of these helicopters. The regulation applies to all relevant models and mandates inspections and modifications in accordance with specified Aeronautical Accessories bulletins and reports.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s schedule of airworthiness directives, applies specifically to all models of Bell 206 and Agusta Bell 206 helicopters equipped with main landing gear cross tubes manufactured by Aeronautical Accessories Incorporated. This requirement is identified by specific serial numbers stamped on the crosstubes, as outlined in Aeronautical Accessories Alert Service Bulletins (ASB) 94045 and 94046. The regulations are designed to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these helicopters by mandating thorough inspections and necessary modifications to the cross tubes to prevent structural failures, following two reported incidents of severe cracking in Australia. The directive is applicable nationwide, under the Commonwealth’s jurisdiction, and compliance is mandatory for all operators of the specified helicopter models. The regulations also include provisions for inspections at regular intervals, not exceeding 300 hours of service or one year, to maintain the integrity of the cross tubes.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes a directive concerning Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters (section (1)). This directive, identified as AD/BELL 206/130 Amendment 1, focuses on the main landing gear cross tubes manufactured by Aeronautical Accessories Inc. (section (2)). It applies to all models of Bell 206 and Agusta Bell 206 helicopters that are fitted with crosstubes manufactured by Aeronautical Accessories Inc. (section (3)). These specific crosstubes can be identified by a serial number stamped on the end, as described in Aeronautical Accessories Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 94045, Appendix A or ASB 94046, Appendix A (section (4)). The directive requires that the crosstubes be inspected and modified in accordance with specific aeronautical accessories bulletins (section (5)). For models 206A and 206B, the inspection and modification must follow the instructions in Aeronautical Accessories ASB 94045, while for the 206L series, ASB 94046 is applicable (section (6)). Furthermore, all models must undergo an inspection as outlined in Aeronautical Accessories Report AA-94022, Revision A (for models 206A and 206B) or Report AA-94023 (for 206L series) (section (7)). The compliance schedule specifies that for models 206A and 206B, the inspection and modification must be completed before two months or 100 hours of time in service after 2 March 1995, whichever occurs later (section (8)). For the 206L series, the same must be done before two months or 100 hours of time in service after 27 April 1995, whichever occurs later (section (9)). After compliance with the initial requirements, a further inspection must be performed within 300 hours of time in service from the completion of the first inspection. This inspection must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 300 hours of time in service or one year, whichever comes first (section (10)). The obligations imposed by this directive include strict adherence to the specified inspection and modification procedures. Operators of Bell 206 and Agusta Bell 206 helicopters must ensure that the crosstubes are inspected and modified according to the applicable Aeronautical Accessories bulletins and reports. They must also keep meticulous records of all inspections and modifications performed, as well as maintain evidence of compliance with the mandated schedules. This is crucial to ensure the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft in operation. Failure to comply with the requirements of this airworthiness directive can result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline potential offences, penalties, and civil or criminal consequences for non-compliance. Although the specific penalties are not detailed within the directive itself, general provisions within the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 may apply. These can include substantial fines, enforcement actions, and in severe cases, criminal charges. Operators found in breach of these regulations could face significant legal and financial repercussions, potentially affecting their ability to operate the affected aircraft.