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 206/32 Aluminium Fuel Lines - Replacement 2/71 Applicability: All model 206A and AB-206A with S/Nos. referenced in requirement documents. Document: Bell SB No. 206A-18, or Agusta SB No. BT206-48.
Compliance: 1. For aircraft over one (1) year old - within 100 hours time in service or 60 days whichever occurs first.
2. For aircraft under one (1) year old - within 100 hours time in service or 60 days whichever occurs first, after reaching one (1) year old.
Background: AD/Agusta 206/24 equivalent.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, were established to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Part 39 - 105 of these regulations, specifically addressing Airworthiness Directives, is crucial in maintaining the integrity and safety standards of aircraft in operation. One such directive, AD/BELL 206/32, targets Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters, focusing on the replacement of aluminium fuel lines to mitigate potential safety risks. This directive aims to ensure that all applicable aircraft comply with specified maintenance schedules, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation in Australia.
This legislative instrument is part of a broader policy objective to continuously improve and enforce safety standards across the aviation sector. By mandating specific maintenance actions for certain helicopter models, the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority seeks to proactively address potential issues before they can impact flight safety. The policy objective is to ensure that all aircraft meet stringent safety benchmarks, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the general public from aviation-related hazards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), establish specific standards and directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft within Australia. One such directive, AD/BELL 206/32, pertains to the replacement of aluminium fuel lines in Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. This directive applies to all model 206A and AB-206A helicopters with specific serial numbers as outlined in the requirement documents, Bell SB No. 206A-18 or Agusta SB No. BT206-48. The regulation requires compliance within specific timeframes, such as within 100 hours of time in service or 60 days from the issue of the directive, whichever comes first, for helicopters over one year old. For helicopters under one year old, compliance is required once they reach one year old. This directive does not specify exclusions or exemptions but mandates thorough adherence to ensure the safety and compliance of the affected aircraft. The scope of the directive is limited to the specific models and serial numbers mentioned and is subject to the overarching jurisdiction of CASA.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) requirements for the airworthiness of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters, as detailed in Airworthiness Directive AD/BELL 206/32. This directive mandates the replacement of aluminium fuel lines in affected aircraft (sections 1 and 2). The applicability of these requirements extends to all model 206A and AB-206A helicopters with specific serial numbers outlined in the requirement documents, which are Bell Service Bulletin No. 206A-18 or Agusta Service Bulletin No. BT206-48 (section 3).
Under this regulation, aircraft owners and operators must ensure compliance with the stipulated timelines. For helicopters that are over one year old, compliance is required within 100 hours of time in service or within 60 days, whichever comes first. For those that are under one year old, compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service or within 60 days after the helicopter reaches one year of age (section 4). This requirement is mirrored in AD/Agusta 206/24 for equivalent aircraft.
The Act imposes significant obligations on the operators and owners of the specified helicopters. They must ensure that the necessary inspections and replacements of the aluminium fuel lines are conducted promptly and in accordance with the outlined timelines. This includes maintaining detailed records of the inspections and any replacements that are performed, as well as ensuring that all work is carried out by appropriately certified personnel (section 5). Failure to comply with these obligations can result in serious consequences, both in terms of safety and regulatory penalties.
Non-compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to significant legal repercussions. The Act includes provisions for both civil and criminal penalties for those who fail to adhere to the airworthiness directives. Civil penalties can include fines up to a specified maximum amount, depending on the severity of the breach. Criminal penalties may also apply, particularly if the non-compliance results in a breach of safety standards that endangers life or property. The exact penalties are detailed within the Act and can vary based on the nature and extent of the breach (section 6).