AD/BELL 206/19 Amdt 1 - Tail Rotor Pedal Controls - Inspection

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. These regulations form part of a broader framework designed to address gaps and problems in the oversight and management of civil aviation, ensuring compliance with international safety standards. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 addresses Airworthiness Directives for specific aircraft models, such as the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters, to mitigate identified safety risks. The policy objective is to maintain and enhance the safety of aircraft operations by mandating specific inspection and maintenance procedures, as exemplified by the requirement for regular checks and adjustments of the tail rotor pedal controls to ensure operational reliability and safety.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to all Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters specifically those that are model AB-206A and equipped with hydraulically boosted tail rotor pitch control, as well as those with serial numbers ranging from 4 to 497. This legislation is a Commonwealth regulation and thus has a national jurisdictional reach. The regulation mandates the periodic inspection of the tail rotor pedal spring and friction adjustment, requiring these components to be re-adjusted as necessary in compliance with Section IV of the Maintenance and Overhaul Instructions. Compliance is to be maintained at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service, ensuring the operational safety of the aircraft. This directive is equivalent to AD/Agusta 206/10A, and any subordinate instruments or amendments would further refine or extend the application of these safety directives without altering the fundamental scope provided in the primary regulation.

Key Provisions

The primary sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), as amended, pertain to the specific requirements for the inspection and adjustment of tail rotor pedal controls on Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. Section 39-105(1) mandates that all model AB-206A helicopters fitted with hydraulically boosted tail rotor pitch control, as well as all model 206A helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 4 to 497, must undergo a detailed inspection and necessary adjustment of the tail rotor pedal spring and friction. This inspection and adjustment must be conducted in accordance with the provisions outlined in Section IV of the Maintenance and Overhaul Instructions. Compliance with these directives is required at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service, ensuring that the safety and operational integrity of the helicopter are maintained over time. The obligations imposed by these regulations are clear and require operators of the specified Bell Helicopter models to ensure that the tail rotor pedal controls are regularly inspected and adjusted. This involves a meticulous examination of the tail rotor pedal spring and friction, followed by any necessary readjustments to meet the criteria set forth in the Maintenance and Overhaul Instructions. Operators must keep meticulous records of each inspection and adjustment to demonstrate compliance with the stipulated intervals. These obligations are designed to prevent any potential operational issues that could arise from improperly adjusted tail rotor pedal controls, thereby enhancing the overall safety of the aircraft. Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in significant consequences. If an operator does not adhere to the mandated inspection and adjustment intervals, they may face enforcement actions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The penalties for non-compliance can include fines and other administrative actions as deemed appropriate by CASA. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument, the overarching goal is to ensure strict adherence to safety standards to protect both the crew and the passengers. Ensuring compliance with these directives is not only a legal requirement but also a critical aspect of maintaining the highest safety standards in aviation operations.