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 206/41 Vertical Fin - Inspection 2/73
Applicability: All models with S/Nos. detailed in requirement documents with vertical fin P/N 206-020-113-5, -7 or -9.
Document: Bell SB No. 206-01-73-1, or Agusta SB No. BT206-57.
Compliance: Within 25 hours time in service after 8 January 1973, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 25 hours time in service until incorporation of Bell SL No. 206-203.
Background: AD/Agusta 206/29 equivalent.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia's Parliament, form a comprehensive legal framework governing aviation safety within the country. One of the key objectives of these regulations is to ensure the highest standards of airworthiness and safety for aircraft, which is addressed through various Airworthiness Directives (ADs). One such directive, AD/BELL 206/41, was introduced to address a specific safety concern related to the vertical fins of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters. This directive was issued to mandate inspections of the vertical fins on these helicopter models, specifically those with certain serial numbers and vertical fin part numbers, to prevent potential safety issues arising from structural integrity concerns.
The policy objective behind AD/BELL 206/41 is to ensure ongoing airworthiness and safety by requiring timely and regular inspections of the vertical fins. This directive applies to all affected models and mandates inspections within a specified time frame and at regular intervals until a structural modification, referenced as Bell Service Letter No. 206-203, is incorporated. The directive references relevant service bulletins from Bell and Agusta to guide compliance, ensuring that operators are aware of and adhere to the necessary inspection protocols.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in PART 39 - 105, mandates the Airworthiness Directives for certain helicopter models. The legislation applies to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters, focusing on vertical fin inspections as outlined in AD/BELL 206/41. The directive applies to all models with specific serial numbers and vertical fin part numbers 206-020-113-5, -7, or -9, as detailed in Bell SB No. 206-01-73-1 or Agusta SB No. BT206-57. Compliance is required within 25 hours of time in service after 8 January 1973, and then at intervals not exceeding 25 hours time in service until the incorporation of Bell SL No. 206-203. This directive serves as an equivalent to AD/Agusta 206/29, ensuring the safety standards for these helicopter models are met within the Commonwealth of Australia. The legislation applies nationally, overseen by CASA, with no stated exclusions or exemptions in the specified text, and any further application or restriction is managed through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, include a specific section on Airworthiness Directives (AD) pertaining to certain aircraft models. In particular, AD/BELL 206/41 focuses on the vertical fin of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. According to section 105 of the Regulations, this directive applies to all models with specific serial numbers and vertical fin part numbers (206-020-113-5, -7, or -9). The directive mandates inspections as per Bell SB No. 206-01-73-1 or Agusta SB No. BT206-57. Compliance with these inspection requirements must be achieved within 25 hours of time in service following 8 January 1973, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 25 hours until Bell SL No. 206-203 is incorporated.
The AD/BELL 206/41 imposes clear obligations on the operators and owners of the affected helicopters. They must ensure that inspections of the vertical fin are carried out as specified. This involves adhering to the detailed instructions provided in the referenced service bulletins. The inspections are designed to maintain the airworthiness of the helicopters, ensuring that the vertical fin is in good condition and free from defects that could compromise safety. Operators are also required to document each inspection to provide a record of compliance.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can result in serious consequences. Non-compliance with these regulations could lead to enforcement actions, including the possibility of grounding the helicopter until the necessary inspections are performed. Additionally, operators may face penalties for operating an aircraft that does not meet the required safety standards. While the exact penalties are not specified in the text, they can include fines or other sanctions under the broader Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations. These measures are in place to ensure that all aircraft remain safe and airworthy, protecting both the operators and the public.