AD/BELL 206/2 - Exhaust Stack Clamps - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Legislative instrument F2006B04475, addresses the safety of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters, specifically focusing on exhaust stack clamps. This legislative instrument was enacted to ensure that the specified Bell 206A model helicopters comply with necessary safety standards by replacing the exhaust stack clamps. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by mitigating potential risks associated with the specified models of these helicopters. The regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority granted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, aiming to protect both passengers and crew by ensuring the airworthiness of these aircraft. The legislative instrument mandates that all applicable Bell 206A helicopters, identified by their specific serial numbers, must have their exhaust stack clamps replaced within 25 hours of time in service from 1 April 1968. This directive is documented in Bell SL 206A No. 38, ensuring that the compliance criteria are clearly outlined and adhered to. The enactment of these regulations by the Parliament aims to address a specific safety concern, thereby maintaining high safety standards in the Australian aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the requirements for the airworthiness of aircraft within Australia and includes directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislation applies to all aircraft registered in Australia and mandates compliance with specific directives to ensure safety standards are met. One such directive, AD/BELL 206/2, pertains to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. This directive requires the replacement of exhaust stack clamps on certain model 206A helicopters with specified serial numbers to ensure compliance with airworthiness standards. The directive mandates that these modifications must be completed within 25 hours of the helicopter's time in service from 1 April 1968. This regulation is binding for the specified models and serial numbers of helicopters and aims to enhance safety through specific maintenance actions.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), under Part 39 - 105, specifically address the airworthiness directives for the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters. Section 3/68 of this regulation pertains to the exhaust stack clamps on certain model 206A helicopters, particularly those with specific serial numbers (Section 3/68). This directive mandates that all affected helicopters must comply with the requirement to replace their exhaust stack clamps, as outlined in Bell SL 206A No. 38. Compliance with these requirements is essential and must be achieved within 25 hours of time in service from 1 April 1968 (Section 3/68). The obligations imposed by this regulation are clear and must be adhered to by the operators and owners of the specified Bell 206A helicopters. Specifically, they must ensure that the exhaust stack clamps are replaced as per the instructions in Bell SL 206A No. 38. Failure to comply with these directives could result in the helicopter being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to severe operational restrictions or grounding of the aircraft until the necessary repairs and replacements are completed (Section 3/68). In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline significant penalties and enforcement actions. Any breach of the airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions under civil aviation law, potentially resulting in substantial fines and legal proceedings against the operators and owners of the non-compliant aircraft. The exact penalties are not specified within this particular directive, but they are aligned with the broader enforcement measures outlined in the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (Cth) and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. These measures are designed to ensure the safety and compliance of all aircraft operating within Australian airspace.