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 206/142 Tailboom Assembly 13/98
Applicability: BHTC Model 206L series helicopters as indicated below in the Requirement part of this directive. Tailboom assemblies modified in accordance with Technical Bulletin (TB) 206L-96-191, or BHT-206-SRM-1, section 6-3-4, with upper tailboom skin part number (P/N) 206-033-004-155 installed, are not affected by this directive.
Requirement: To ensure the structural integrity of affected tailbooms, accomplish the following as applicable:
Part 1. Applies to Model 206L series helicopters, serial number (S/N) 45001 through 51283, having unmodified tailboom assemblies P/N 206-033-004- 003, -011, -045, and -103.
Modify the tailboom between boom station BS 151.15 and 159.35 by installing doubler P/N 206-704-167-111 with clip P/N 206-033-407-119, and re-identify the tailboom by adding the suffix “FM” to the original part number as outlined in Part I of Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 206L-87-47 Revision C.
Part 2. Applies to the following Model 206L series helicopters:
Model 206L S/N 45003 through 45153, and 46601 through 46617, Model 206L-1 S/N 45154 through 45790, and Model 206L-3 S/N 51001 through 51283; having tailboom assemblies of the following part numbers:
206-033-004-003FM, -003FM1
206-033-004-011FM, -011FM1, -011FM2, -011FM3
206-033-004-103FM, -103FM1
206-033-004-045FM
- For tailbooms with a sheet metal tail rotor gearbox support, perform an Eddy Current inspection as in Part I of ASB 206L-97-107 Revision A.
b. For tailbooms with a cast tail rotor gearbox support P/N 206-033-426-001 and that do not have upper skin P/N 206-033-004-155 installed; install nutplate assemblies as per Part II of ASB 206L-97-107 Revision A.
For all Model 206L helicopters affected by Parts 1 and 2 above, replacement of the tailboom with any tailboom listed below constitutes terminating action for the requirements of Parts 1 and 2 of this directive:
206-033-004-003FM2
206-033-004-011FM4
206-033-004-103FM2
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
206-033-004-045FM1, -045FM2
206-033-004-143, -143FM1
206-033-004-175, -175FM1
206-033-004-177
Note: Transport Canada AD CF-98-27 refers.
Compliance: Part 1. Within 200 hours time in service after 3 December 1998, but not later than 31 May 1999.
Part 2.a. Within 100 hours time in service after 3 December 1998, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 hours time in service.
2.b. Within 200 hours time in service after 3 December 1998, but not later than 31 May 1999.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 December 1998.
Background: Cracking has been reported on tailbooms of earlier designs. If left undetected, these cracks could lead to failure of the tailboom and loss of control of the helicopter.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia, was enacted to establish and maintain safety standards in civil aviation. This legislation is instrumental in addressing safety concerns and ensuring the integrity of aviation operations within Australia. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) administers these regulations, which include issuing Airworthiness Directives (AD) to address specific safety issues. The AD/BELL 206/142, issued on 3 December 1998, is an example of such directives, specifically targeting the structural integrity of the tailboom assemblies in Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. The directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of tailboom failure due to reported cracking, which could potentially result in loss of control of the helicopter. The policy objective is to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft through mandated inspections and modifications.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters, particularly focusing on the tailboom assembly. This legislation mandates modifications to ensure the structural integrity of the tailbooms to prevent potential cracking and loss of control. It applies to specific models and serial numbers of the Bell 206L series helicopters, excluding those with certain part numbers or modifications already in place. The directive stipulates that modifications must be performed within specified time intervals after the directive's effective date of 3 December 1998. The geographical reach of this Act is national, as it is a Commonwealth regulation, applying across all states and territories in Australia. The directive is enforceable under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and compliance is mandatory for the specified aircraft operators and maintenance personnel.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters, specifically addressing issues with the tailboom assembly. The directive, AD/BELL 206/142, was issued to ensure the structural integrity of the tailbooms in affected helicopters. This directive applies to certain BHTC Model 206L series helicopters with specific serial numbers and unmodified tailboom assemblies. The requirement is to modify the tailboom by installing a doubler and a clip, and to re-identify the tailboom by adding a suffix “FM” to the original part number. Additionally, for certain models and serial numbers, an Eddy Current inspection or installation of nutplate assemblies may be required, depending on the type of tail rotor gearbox support.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties involved, primarily focusing on compliance with the modification and inspection requirements within specified timeframes. For instance, Part 1 of the directive requires that the modifications be completed within 200 hours of time in service after 3 December 1998, but no later than 31 May 1999. Part 2 of the directive requires inspections and modifications to be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 3 December 1998, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 1,000 hours of time in service, with a final deadline of 31 May 1999 for certain actions.
Failure to comply with the AD can lead to serious consequences, as the directive is aimed at preventing potential structural failures that could result in loss of control of the helicopter. While the specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in this 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 administrative penalties. In severe cases, non-compliance could also lead to criminal charges under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which may result in substantial fines and imprisonment.