AD/BELL 206/57 Amdt 2 - Horizontal Stabilizer

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in 2006, specifically address the safety requirements for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters through the Airworthiness Directive (AD) BELL 206/57 Amendment 2. This legislative instrument was introduced to address specific safety concerns related to the horizontal stabilizers of these helicopters, particularly those with part numbers 206-020-119 and 206-020-123-3, -4, -3C2, and -4C2. The primary objective of this directive is to ensure the safety of these aircraft by mandating regular visual inspections of the horizontal stabilizers as per the specified service bulletins from Bell and Agusta, with the aim of maintaining airworthiness and preventing potential defects that could compromise flight safety. The requirement to conduct these inspections at intervals not exceeding 25 hours of time in service underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and maintenance of these critical components. This directive also clarifies that even after repairs are made to the horizontal stabilizers, the repetitive inspections must still be carried out as stipulated. This ensures that any repairs do not inadvertently introduce new defects and that the aircraft remain compliant with safety standards. By setting these clear and specific requirements, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, aim to enhance the safety and reliability of Bell 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters in operation.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, specifically address the airworthiness directives for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters through the AD/BELL 206/57 Amendment 2, which pertains to the horizontal stabilizer. This regulation applies to all models of these helicopters equipped with horizontal stabilizers identified by specific part numbers, namely P/N 206-020-119 for all dash numbers and P/N 206-020-123-3, -4, -3C2, and -4C2. The regulation mandates a visual inspection of the horizontal stabilizer in accordance with Bell SB 206-01-73-7 (Revision E) Paragraph 2, with additional reference to Agusta SB 206-75 (Revision B). The requirement necessitates that these inspections be performed at intervals not exceeding 25 hours of time in service. Importantly, even if the stabilizers have undergone repairs following the guidelines in the specified requirement documents, they remain subject to the repetitive inspections as outlined in this directive. This ensures ongoing compliance with safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, reflecting a commitment to maintaining the highest levels of aviation safety across the Commonwealth of Australia.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes Amendment 2 from 1987 for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters. This regulation pertains to the horizontal stabilizers with certain part numbers: 206-020-119 (applicable to all dash numbers) and 206-020-123-3, -4, -3C2 and -4C2 (paragraph 1). The key requirement set forth in this directive is the visual inspection of the horizontal stabilizer as detailed in Bell Service Bulletin (SB) 206-01-73-7 (Revision E) Paragraph 2 and Agusta SB 206-75 (Revision B). Compliance with these inspections must be achieved at intervals not exceeding 25 hours of time in service (paragraph 2). It is important to note that even stabilizers that have been repaired according to the requirement documents must still undergo the repetitive inspections as stipulated by this directive (Note). Under these regulations, helicopter operators and owners are obligated to conduct the specified visual inspections on the horizontal stabilizers of the mentioned models within the required timeframes. This ensures that the stabilizers are checked for any potential defects or damage that could compromise the safety of the aircraft. The inspections must follow the detailed procedures outlined in the referenced service bulletins, ensuring a thorough and consistent approach to safety compliance. Moreover, the directive explicitly states that even stabilizers that have been repaired need to be reinspected periodically, highlighting the importance of ongoing maintenance and vigilance. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in these regulations can result in serious consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, breaches of civil aviation safety directives typically carry substantial civil or criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions by CASA, including fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates of airworthiness, and potential criminal charges for individuals responsible for the oversight or maintenance of the aircraft. The severity of the penalties underscores the critical nature of adhering to these safety directives to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australia's airspace.