Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, are a comprehensive set of regulations designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australian airspace. One of the specific instruments under this regulation is PART 39 - 105, which concerns airworthiness directives for various aircraft types. This particular legislative instrument, AD/BELL 206/59, was introduced to address safety concerns related to the oil pressure tube assemblies of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters. The aim is to ensure that these aircraft meet stringent safety standards by mandating regular inspection and replacement of critical components, thus safeguarding the operational integrity and safety of these aircraft in Australian skies.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in Australia, govern the operational standards for civil aviation. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 pertains to Airworthiness Directives (AD) for particular aircraft models. This particular AD/BELL 206/59 applies to all Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters, including those models that have undergone conversions from transducer to wet line instrument systems as detailed in the requirement documents, namely Bell SB No. 206-08-74-1 or Agusta SB No. BT206-78. The directive mandates that these aircraft must undergo an inspection within 10 hours of time in service following 20 May 1974, and any necessary replacements must be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 28 June 1974. This regulation is equivalent to AD/Agusta 206/48, ensuring consistent safety standards across applicable aircraft types. The scope of this legislation is nationally enforced, applying to all relevant aircraft operating within Australia, with no stated exclusions or exemptions in the provided text. The effectiveness of the AD is further regulated through subordinate instruments that may expand or refine the application of these directives.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include an airworthiness directive (AD) concerning the inspection and replacement of oil pressure tube assemblies for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters. This AD, designated AD/BELL 206/59, mandates particular actions to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these aircraft (Part 39 - 105(1)). The directive applies to all models specified in the requirement documents, including those that have been converted from transducer to wet line instrument systems, as detailed in the referenced service bulletins (Bell SB No. 206-08-74-1 or Agusta SB No. BT206-78). The AD requires a thorough inspection of the oil pressure tube assemblies within 10 hours of time in service after 20 May 1974, and any necessary replacements must be completed within 100 hours of time in service following 28 June 1974. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, the parties governed by this AD, which includes aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance service providers, are obligated to ensure that the inspections and replacements are performed in accordance with the specified timelines and procedures outlined in the service bulletins. This includes documenting the inspections and any corrective actions taken to maintain an accurate record of compliance (Part 39 - 105(2)). Furthermore, the regulations require that any modifications or repairs must be carried out by personnel who are appropriately licensed and certified to perform such tasks on these specific helicopter models. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this AD may result in serious consequences. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives is a breach of civil aviation safety regulations and can lead to enforcement actions. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement measures, which may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges against the responsible parties. The maximum penalties for such breaches can include substantial fines and imprisonment, underscoring the critical importance of adhering to these safety directives (Part 39 - 105(3)).