AD/BELL 206/77 - Tail Rotor Drive Shaft - Replacement of Bearing Hangars

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, provide a framework for issuing airworthiness directives under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislation was enacted to ensure that civil aviation operations within Australia are conducted in a safe and standardised manner. One such airworthiness directive, AD/BELL 206/77, pertains to the replacement of tail rotor drive shaft bearing hangars for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters. This directive was introduced to address a safety concern identified in these helicopter models, ensuring that any issues related to the tail rotor drive shaft bearing hangars are rectified to prevent potential hazards during flight. The policy objective of this directive, as outlined within the legislative instrument, is to enhance the overall safety of civil aviation operations by mandating specific maintenance actions for affected helicopter models. The AD/BELL 206/77 directive applies to models 206A, 206B, AB206, and AB206B, with serial numbers as specified in the requirement documents. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved no later than the next scheduled 1200 hourly inspection completed after 31 January 1979. The directive references Bell SB No. 206-77-9, FAA AD 78-16-01 Amendment 39-3271, and Agusta SB No. BT206-123, ensuring that operators follow the specified maintenance requirements. This legislative instrument is a critical component of CASA’s efforts to maintain and improve airworthiness standards in Australia’s civil aviation sector.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, applies to all aircraft operating within the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislative instrument mandates the replacement of bearing hangars in the tail rotor drive shaft for specific models of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters, namely the 206A, 206B, AB206, and AB206B. These requirements are applicable to aircraft with serial numbers detailed in the specific requirement documents, which include Bell SB No. 206-77-9, FAA AD 78-16-01 Amendment 39-3271, or Agusta SB No. BT206-123. Compliance with these airworthiness directives is mandatory and must be completed no later than the next scheduled 1200 hourly inspection following 31 January 1979. This legislation does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, and its scope is limited to the specified helicopter models and serial numbers. The regulation's application may be further refined or extended through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 – 105, specifically under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, include provisions for the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. One such directive is AD/BELL 206/77, which pertains to the replacement of tail rotor drive shaft bearing hangars. This directive applies to models 206A, 206B, AB206, and AB206B with specific serial numbers as outlined in the requirement documents. Compliance with this directive must be achieved no later than the next scheduled 1200-hourly inspection following 31 January 1979. This requirement ensures the safety and airworthiness of the specified helicopter models by mandating the replacement of the bearing hangars. The obligation imposed by AD/BELL 206/77 is that helicopter operators must ensure their Bell and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters comply with the directive's requirement to replace the tail rotor drive shaft bearing hangars. This involves adhering to the specified timeline and ensuring that the replacement is done according to the instructions provided in one of the three documents: Bell SB No. 206-77-9, FAA AD 78-16-01 Amendment 39-3271, or Agusta SB No. BT206-123. These documents contain detailed information on the replacement process, ensuring that the modification is performed correctly and safely. Failure to comply with AD/BELL 206/77 may result in serious safety risks and legal consequences. Although the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly detail the penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives, the broader regulatory framework may include substantial fines, enforcement actions, and potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the specified requirements and timelines to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.