AD/BELL 206/34 Amdt 1 - Strap P/N 206-031-200-23 and -24 - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia and administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), address the need for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft, particularly those manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada and Agusta Bell. This particular legislation, introduced to ensure safety in the aviation industry, applies to the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. The policy objective is to mandate the replacement of specific components, namely the strap P/N 206-031-200-23 and -24, to ensure continued compliance with safety standards. The directive requires compliance within 1200 hours of time in service after 30 April 1975, as detailed in the relevant service bulletins. This amendment aligns with the broader goal of maintaining high safety standards and preventing potential failures that could compromise the integrity and safety of these aircraft models.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives and applies to all models 206A, 206B, and AB206 of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters with specific serial numbers as detailed in the requirement documents. The directive mandates the replacement of the strap P/N 206-031-200-23 and -24 within 1200 hours of time in service after 30 April 1975, aligning with Bell SB No. 206-01-74-2 or Agusta SB No. BT206-91. This regulation is applicable on a national level within Australia and extends its reach to any entity operating these helicopter models, ensuring that the stipulated modifications are implemented to maintain airworthiness standards. The Act does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions but ensures compliance through subordinate instruments, which may further detail the implementation and enforcement of the airworthiness directives.

Key Provisions

The main sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, focus on the Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) concerning Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. Specifically, AD/BELL 206/34 Amendment 1 addresses the replacement of the strap part numbers 206-031-200-23 and -24 for all applicable models 206A, 206B, and AB206 with specific serial numbers. Compliance with this AD requires adherence to either Bell Service Bulletin No. 206-01-74-2 or Agusta Service Bulletin No. BT206-91, and it must be completed within 1200 hours of time in service after 30 April 1975. The obligations imposed by this legislation on the parties involved, including helicopter operators and owners, are clear and specific. They must ensure that the required replacement of the straps P/N 206-031-200-23 and -24 is carried out as specified in the applicable service bulletins. This involves either Bell or Agusta service bulletins, depending on the model of the helicopter. Operators and owners must also keep accurate records of the compliance with this directive, which may include maintenance logs and certificates of compliance. These records need to be readily available for inspection by CASA officials. Failure to comply with the provisions of this AD may result in serious consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. For civil penalties, CASA may impose fines of up to $27,500 for each instance of non-compliance. Criminal penalties can also be imposed, with fines reaching up to $165,000 for individuals and $825,000 for corporations. Additionally, non-compliance could result in the grounding of the helicopter until the required maintenance is performed, which could significantly impact the operational capabilities of the operator. Such breaches not only risk financial penalties but also pose significant safety hazards, potentially leading to severe aviation incidents.