Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted by the Parliament of Australia, are a comprehensive set of rules governing the operation of aircraft within Australia. Part 39 of these regulations specifically addresses the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure that aircraft and aeronautical products maintain their airworthiness. The ADs are issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to correct unsafe conditions. The Airworthiness Directive AD/BELL 206/151, issued in 2002, pertains to specific models of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. This directive was introduced to address a safety issue identified with the Memcor Truohm Magnetic Brake in certain helicopter models, where adjustable stop screws could back out of the magnetic switch, potentially limiting the travel of the flight controls and posing a safety risk. The directive mandates a one-time inspection and necessary repairs as per the Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 206L-01-122, to be completed within 100 flight hours from the effective date of the directive.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) models 206L-1 and Bell 206L-3 equipped with IFR kits part number 206-705-001, -101, -103. This directive is necessitated by safety concerns related to the Memcor Truohm Magnetic Brake, which has experienced issues with adjustable stop screws backing out of the magnetic switch, potentially limiting the travel of the arm assembly on the magnetic brake and consequently affecting flight control. The AD mandates a one-time inspection and necessary repairs in accordance with Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 206L-01-122, referencing Canadian AD CF 2002-16. Compliance with this directive is required unless the specified inspection and repair have already been carried out within 100 flight hours prior to the directive's effective date of 28 November 2002. The AD is issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with the directive being notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 6 November 2002, thereby extending its jurisdictional reach across the Commonwealth.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, details an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) models. The directive, AD/BELL 206/151, pertains to the Memcor Truohm Magnetic Brake installed on Bell Helicopter Textron Canada models 206L-1 and Bell 206L-3 equipped with Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) kits part number 206-705-001, -101, and -103. According to the AD, a one-time inspection and necessary repair of the magnetic brake must be carried out in accordance with Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 206L-01-122. This action is necessary to address a potential issue where adjustable stop screws in the magnetic switch may back out, limiting the travel of the arm assembly on the magnetic brake, which could result in restricted movement of the flight controls. The directive became effective on 28 November 2002, and the requirement must be met unless it has already been completed within 100 flight hours prior to this date. The AD imposes several obligations on the operators of the affected helicopters. Firstly, they must ensure that the specified inspection and repair are conducted in line with the guidelines set out in Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 206L-01-122. This includes carrying out a thorough inspection of the magnetic brake system to identify any issues with the adjustable stop screws. If any defects are found, the appropriate repairs must be carried out to rectify the problem. Secondly, operators must keep accurate records of the inspection and any repairs performed, as these records may be required for future reference or in the event of an investigation. Furthermore, operators must ensure that the maintenance is completed within the specified timeframe, either within 100 flight hours from the effective date of the AD or prior to that if it has already been performed. Failure to comply with the AD may result in serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment. The specific penalties for non-compliance with this AD are not detailed in the text, but the potential for significant legal repercussions underscores the importance of adhering to the requirements set out in the directive. Additionally, non-compliance can result in the aircraft being grounded until the necessary actions are taken, which can have significant operational and financial implications for the operator.