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 206/134 Fuel Valve Switch Guard 8/95
Applicability: Bell 206A all S/No’s, 206BJRII all S/No’s, 206BJRIII S/N 2212 through 4069 and 4071 through 4074, 206L S/N 45001 through 45153 and 46601 through 46617, 206L-
1 S/N 45154 through 45790 and 206L-3 S/N 51001 through 51319.
Requirement: Unless previously carried out, action in accordance with Bell ASB 206-90-54 or Bell ASB 206L-90-67 Revision A, as applicable.
Note: FAA AD 95-09-06 Amdt 39-9209 refers.
Compliance: Within 50 hours time in service after 31 July 1995 or prior to 31 January 1996, whichever occur first.
Background: The manufacturer has received reports that the fuel shut off valve ON-OFF toggle switch have been inadvertently selected to the OFF position.
This could result in loss of engine power during a critical stage of flight.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, contains Airworthiness Directives aimed at ensuring the safety of civil aviation. Specifically, AD/BELL 206/134 addresses issues with the fuel valve switch guard for certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. This directive was introduced to address the problem of the fuel shut-off valve ON-OFF toggle switch being inadvertently selected to the OFF position, which could result in a loss of engine power during critical flight stages. The legislation mandates compliance within 50 hours of time in service after 31 July 1995 or before 31 January 1996, whichever occurs first, ensuring that appropriate action is taken to mitigate this safety risk. The enactment of this directive by the Commonwealth of Australia through its civil aviation regulatory framework underscores the policy objective of maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandates specific airworthiness directives for certain models of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters, focusing on the installation of a fuel valve switch guard. This directive applies to a defined set of serial numbers of Bell 206A, 206BJRII, 206BJRIII, 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 models to mitigate the risk of inadvertent closure of the fuel shut off valve. The requirement is that, unless previously carried out, action must be taken in accordance with Bell ASB 206-90-54 or Bell ASB 206L-90-67 Revision A, as applicable. Compliance must be achieved within 50 hours time in service after 31 July 1995 or before 31 January 1996, whichever occurs first. This directive aims to prevent incidents where the fuel shut off valve ON-OFF toggle switch is inadvertently selected to the OFF position, which could lead to loss of engine power during critical flight stages. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this regulation is national, encompassing all operations within Australia, and applies to the specified helicopter models irrespective of the operator or entity. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within the text provided, and the application of this directive is not extended or restricted through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the installation of a fuel valve switch guard on certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters, as outlined in AD/BELL 206/134 (section 1). This directive applies to Bell 206A models of all serial numbers, 206BJRII of all serial numbers, and specific serial numbers within the 206BJRIII, 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 models (section 2). The requirement is to implement modifications in line with Bell ASB 206-90-54 or Bell ASB 206L-90-67 Revision A, as applicable, referencing FAA AD 95-09-06 Amendment 39-9209 (section 3).
Operators of the specified helicopters must ensure compliance with these airworthiness directives within 50 hours of time in service after 31 July 1995, or by 31 January 1996, whichever comes first (section 4). The directive was issued in response to reports of the fuel shut-off valve ON-OFF toggle switch being inadvertently switched to the OFF position, which could lead to a loss of engine power during critical flight stages (section 5).
The obligations imposed by this regulation require operators to take immediate action to secure the fuel valve switch guard on their helicopters to prevent inadvertent deactivation of the fuel supply. This involves following the detailed modification procedures outlined in the referenced service bulletins and ensuring that all work is completed within the stipulated timeframe. Operators must also maintain records of compliance and be prepared to demonstrate adherence to these requirements upon request from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (section 6).
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives may result in enforcement actions against the operators. Potential consequences include fines, penalties, and possible grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text but may include substantial financial penalties and other regulatory sanctions as outlined in the broader Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (section 7). Operators are therefore strongly advised to adhere to the directive to avoid any adverse outcomes.