AD/BELL 206/5 - Cyclic Pitch Control System Lever - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, form a crucial part of the legislative framework governing aviation safety in Australia. One specific regulation, included in Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. This legislation was introduced to address potential safety risks associated with the cyclic pitch control system lever of certain model 206A helicopters. The policy objective behind this regulation is to ensure that all specified helicopters are inspected and, if necessary, modified to maintain airworthiness and prevent any safety incidents. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for helicopters within the specified serial number ranges, with a requirement to inspect the control system within 10 hours of time in service and to modify it within 100 hours of time in service after 6 June 1968.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, governs the airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in Australia. This particular legislative instrument, AD/BELL 206/5, pertains to the cyclic pitch control system lever of the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. The directive applies to all model 206A helicopters with specific serial numbers, including those ranging from 6 to 10, 12 to 79, 81 to 83, 85 to 91, 93 to 97, and 99 to 104. The regulation requires that these helicopters undergo an inspection within 10 hours of time in service and a modification within 100 hours of time in service, following the date of 6 June 1968. This regulation extends its jurisdictional reach to all operators and owners of the specified aircraft models within the Australian Commonwealth, ensuring compliance with the outlined safety directives to maintain airworthiness standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety directives concerning the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters, through the Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under AD/BELL 206/5 (section 39.105). This directive mandates particular actions for the cyclic pitch control system lever, which is crucial for the safe operation of specified helicopter models. The directive applies to all model 206A helicopters with serial numbers (S/Nos.) 6 to 10, 12 to 79, 81 to 83, 85 to 91, 93 to 97, and 99 to 104. Compliance with this directive necessitates adherence to the instructions outlined in Bell Service Bulletin (SB) No. 206A-2. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and time-bound. Operators and owners of the specified helicopters must inspect the cyclic pitch control system lever within 10 hours of the helicopter being in service. Furthermore, any necessary modifications must be completed within 100 hours of the helicopter being in service, following the issuance of this directive on 6 June 1968. This directive underscores the importance of timely inspections and modifications to ensure the airworthiness and safety of the helicopters involved. Failure to comply with the requirements of this directive can result in significant consequences. Non-compliance may lead to the helicopter being deemed unairworthy, which could result in grounding until the necessary inspections and modifications are completed. Additionally, operators and owners could face enforcement actions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which could include fines and other penalties. The exact penalties are not specified in the directive itself but would be determined by CASA in accordance with applicable aviation laws and regulations.