AD/BELL 206/55 - Pylon Support Link P/N 206-031-508-5 and -7 - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, form a crucial part of the regulatory framework governing civil aviation safety within Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations addresses airworthiness directives, which are legally enforceable rules that mandate corrective actions to ensure that aircraft remain airworthy. These regulations were introduced to fill the gap in ensuring that aircraft operations adhere to stringent safety standards. The objective of these regulations is to mitigate risks associated with aircraft operations, ensuring the safety of passengers, crew, and the general public. This legislative instrument, known as F2006B04510, pertains to the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters, outlining directives for the replacement of specific pylon support links. The instrument was enacted to ensure compliance with safety standards, as outlined in Bell Service Bulletin No. 206-01-73-6, and to address issues identified in similar directives affecting Agusta helicopters.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertain to the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) issuance of airworthiness directives (ADs) for aircraft, including the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. This regulation applies to all models of the specified helicopters and mandates compliance with the airworthiness directive AD/BELL 206/55, which concerns the replacement of the pylon support link parts P/N 206-031-508-5 and -7. This requirement is to be fulfilled within five hours of time in service following 5 October 1973, as documented in Bell Service Bulletin No. 206-01-73-6, with a corresponding reference to Agusta Service Bulletin BT206-72. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, applying throughout Australia, and it directly impacts operators and maintainers of the affected helicopter models within the country. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the provided text, and compliance is mandatory for all relevant aircraft. Additionally, the scope and application of these regulations may be further defined or extended through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically in Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, address the airworthiness of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. The directive in focus is AD/BELL 206/55, which mandates the replacement of the pylon support link parts numbered 206-031-508-5 and -7 (section 39-105). This directive was issued on 5 October 1973 and applies to all models of the specified helicopters, referencing Bell Service Bulletin No. 206-01-73-6, with a corresponding Agusta Service Bulletin BT206-72 (section 39-105). The compliance requirement states that these replacements must be completed within 5 hours of time in service after the directive's issuance date (section 39-105). The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties or entities it governs include ensuring that the pylon support link parts are identified, sourced, and replaced according to the specifications detailed in the service bulletins. This involves meticulous record-keeping and adherence to the timelines stipulated in the directive to maintain the airworthiness of the helicopters. Operators and owners of these aircraft are required to implement the changes as per the directive to avoid any potential safety risks (section 39-105). Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline penalties for non-compliance, which may include both civil and criminal repercussions. The exact penalties depend on the severity and frequency of the breach, but the potential consequences could range from hefty fines to more severe criminal charges, especially if non-compliance leads to safety incidents or accidents (section 39-105). The maximum penalties could include substantial financial penalties and, in serious cases, imprisonment, reflecting the critical importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to ensure public safety.