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 206/54 Tail Rotor Gearbox Assembly - Inspection 10/73
Applicability: Model 206 Series S/No. 498 to 1055, 1057 to 1077, 1079, 1080, 1082, 1083, 1085 to
1087, 1090, 1091, 1097, 1100 and 1101 fitted with tail rotor gearbox P/N
206.040.400-5 and -11.
Document: Bell SB No. 206-04-73-1.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 October 1973.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended and now governed under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This piece of legislation was introduced to address the need for comprehensive regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation, including the maintenance, operation, and safety of aircraft. The Civil Aviation Regulations were enacted by the Parliament of Australia and aim to maintain high standards of safety and efficiency in the civil aviation sector. A specific objective outlined in the Civil Aviation Act 1988 is to provide a regulatory framework that ensures the safety of aircraft and people involved in aviation activities. The legislative instrument F2006B04509, which pertains to Airworthiness Directives for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters, is an example of the detailed safety measures implemented under these regulations. This directive mandates specific inspections for the tail rotor gearbox assembly, ensuring that certain helicopter models meet stringent safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, govern the airworthiness directives within the Australian aviation industry, ensuring the safety and compliance of aircraft operations. This legislation applies to the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters with certain serial numbers and tail rotor gearbox parts numbers. The regulation mandates an inspection of the tail rotor gearbox assembly for these specific models, ensuring they meet the safety standards outlined in Bell SB No. 206-04-73-1. The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service following 31 October 1973. The application of this regulation is geographically confined to the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This regulation does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, and its scope is limited to the aforementioned serial numbers and part numbers of the helicopters. CASA may extend or restrict the application of this directive through subordinate instruments as necessary to maintain safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, detail the requirements for airworthiness directives pertaining to certain helicopter models. For instance, AD/BELL 206/54 concerns the inspection of tail rotor gearbox assemblies in Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters (section 10/73). This directive applies to specific serial numbers of the 206 series helicopters that are equipped with tail rotor gearbox part number 206.040.400-5 and -11. Operators must adhere to the instructions detailed in Bell Service Bulletin No. 206-04-73-1 and ensure the inspection is conducted within 100 hours of the helicopter's time in service following 31 October 1973.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the operators of the affected helicopters. These include ensuring that the inspection of the tail rotor gearbox assembly is conducted by a certified technician and that any identified issues are rectified in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) requirements. Operators must also maintain detailed records of these inspections, including dates, findings, and any actions taken. This documentation must be readily available for inspection by CASA officials upon request.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive may result in significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can be considered an offence, leading to potential civil penalties. The maximum penalty for contravening these regulations is substantial, with fines that can reach up to $275,750 for individuals and up to $1,378,750 for corporations, depending on the severity and frequency of the breach. Additionally, non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions by CASA, including grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections and repairs are satisfactorily completed. This can have severe operational and financial repercussions for the operators involved.