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 206/74 Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Bearings - Replacement 4/74
Applicability: All models AB206, 206A and 206B as referenced in requirement documents. Document: Bell SB 206-76-12, Rev. A, or Agusta SB No. BT206-116, Rev. A. Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 April 1977.
Background: AD/Agusta 206/59 equivalent.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, address the safety and operational standards of civil aviation in Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations details the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which are critical in ensuring that aircraft maintain their airworthiness. This regulatory framework was enacted to address safety concerns and ensure the highest standards of aviation safety are upheld. One such directive, AD/BELL 206/74, focuses on the replacement of tail rotor drive shaft bearings in Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters, models AB206, 206A, and 206B. This directive is essential in preventing potential mechanical failures that could compromise flight safety, thereby fulfilling CASA's policy objective of maintaining rigorous safety standards within the civil aviation sector.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, includes Airworthiness Directives that govern the maintenance and operation of certain aircraft. One such directive, AD/BELL 206/74, pertains to the replacement of tail rotor drive shaft bearings for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters, including models AB206, 206A, and 206B. This directive applies to all operators of the specified helicopter models and mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service following 30 April 1977. The directive references Bell SB 206-76-12, Rev. A, or Agusta SB No. BT206-116, Rev. A, as the relevant documentation for compliance. This regulation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all relevant helicopter operators within the national jurisdiction adhere to the specified maintenance requirements to maintain airworthiness standards. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the directive, and compliance is mandatory for all applicable aircraft within the specified timeframe.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives that govern the maintenance and operational standards of various aircraft. Section 105.001(2) and 105.003 outline the necessity for aircraft to meet airworthiness standards as stipulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The particular directive AD/BELL 206/74 addresses the requirement for replacing the tail rotor drive shaft bearings in Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters, which include all models AB206, 206A and 206B. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for all relevant helicopter models, as detailed in Bell SB 206-76-12, Rev. A, or Agusta SB No. BT206-116, Rev. A, and must be carried out within 100 hours of time in service following 30 April 1977.
Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, operators of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters are required to ensure that the tail rotor drive shaft bearings are replaced according to the specifications provided in the referenced service bulletins. Operators must adhere strictly to the timelines set forth, which is within 100 hours of service after the specified date. This ensures the continued airworthiness of the aircraft and maintains safety standards set by CASA. Failure to comply with these directives can result in significant safety risks, as the directive is a critical component in the structural integrity and operational safety of the helicopter.
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose several obligations on the operators of the specified helicopters. Firstly, operators must ensure that the maintenance and replacement of the tail rotor drive shaft bearings are performed according to the technical specifications outlined in Bell SB 206-76-12, Rev. A, or Agusta SB No. BT206-116, Rev. A. Operators must also keep accurate records of all maintenance actions performed, including the date and details of the bearing replacement, and these records must be readily available for inspection by CASA. Furthermore, operators are responsible for ensuring that all maintenance personnel are adequately trained and qualified to perform these tasks.
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives set forth in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in serious consequences. According to Section 105.005 of the Regulations, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Specifically, under Section 105.005, the maximum penalty for an individual who contravenes a direction can be a fine of up to $27,500 and/or imprisonment for up to one year. Additionally, corporate entities can face fines of up to $137,500. These penalties underscore the importance of adhering to the specified directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.