Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, serve as a comprehensive framework to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. One such regulation, detailed in Part 39, addresses specific safety directives for certain aircraft models. This legislative instrument, F2006B04485, focuses on the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters, particularly targeting the cover assembly components identified by part numbers 206-001-012-1 and 206-001-012-7. The directive AD/BELL 206/29 mandates a thorough inspection and subsequent modification of these components to ensure compliance with safety standards, aiming to mitigate potential risks associated with the specified helicopter models. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by addressing specific structural vulnerabilities identified in these aircraft, thereby protecting both the crew and passengers.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, apply to the aviation industry in Australia, particularly concerning the airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). One such directive, AD/BELL 206/29, pertains to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters. Specifically, it addresses the inspection and modification of cover assemblies on model 206A helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 4 to 583. The directive applies to all operators and owners of these specific helicopters within Australia and its territories, mandating compliance with the specified timelines for inspection and modification to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft. Subordinate instruments may further detail implementation and compliance measures, but the primary directive sets forth the essential requirements and timeframes within which these actions must be completed.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/BELL 206/29, pertain to the inspection and modification of the cover assembly for the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters. The regulation applies to all model 206A helicopters with serial numbers 4 to 583 (section 39-105.11). According to these provisions, the cover assembly identified by part numbers 206-001-012-1 or 206-001-012-7 must be inspected within 10 hours of time in service after 28 October 1970. Furthermore, any necessary modifications must be completed within 100 hours of time in service following the same date. The obligations and requirements imposed by these sections include ensuring that the inspection and modification are carried out by authorised personnel and in accordance with the instructions outlined in Bell SL 206A-155.11/70. Operators and owners of the affected helicopters must ensure that these tasks are performed within the specified timeframes to maintain compliance with aviation safety standards. They must also keep records of the inspections and modifications conducted, which may be required for audit or verification by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in AD/BELL 206/29 can result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline various offences related to non-compliance with airworthiness directives. In particular, section 39-105.01 states that failure to adhere to an airworthiness directive can lead to civil penalties, including fines of up to $21,600 for individuals and $108,000 for corporations, as well as potential criminal charges. Furthermore, continued operation of a non-compliant aircraft can result in additional penalties and enforcement actions by CASA, including grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved.