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 206/80 Fuel Feed Tube and Vent Tube - Replacement 1/80
Applicability: All models 206L and 206L-1. Document: Bell Alert SB No. 206L-79-7.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 January 1980.
Background: Moisture accumulation in the insulating material adjacent to the fuel feed tube and a fuel vent tube can cause corrosion to the extent of the tube wall penetration.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39, address various safety directives to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft. Enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, these regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). One such directive, AD/BELL 206/80, targets the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters, aiming to address the problem of moisture accumulation in the insulating material around the fuel feed and vent tubes. This can lead to corrosion and potential tube wall penetration, which poses a significant safety risk. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure compliance within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service after 31 January 1980, as detailed in Bell Alert SB No. 206L-79-7, to mitigate such risks and maintain the safety standards set forth by CASA.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, governs the airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for aircraft in Australia, including those pertaining to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters. Specifically, the regulation mandates the replacement of the fuel feed tube and vent tube for all models 206L and 206L-1, as outlined in the directive AD/BELL 206/80, to address issues related to moisture accumulation that can lead to corrosion and tube wall penetration. Compliance with this directive requires that the specified replacement be carried out within 100 hours of the aircraft's time in service after 31 January 1980, ensuring the ongoing airworthiness and safety of the aircraft in operation across Australia. The regulation applies nationwide, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with no exclusions or exemptions mentioned in the directive itself. The scope of the regulation extends to all relevant aircraft within the specified models, ensuring adherence to safety standards critical for aviation operations in the country.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically AD/BELL 206/80, focus on ensuring the airworthiness of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters. Section 39-105 requires the replacement of the fuel feed tube and vent tube in all models 206L and 206L-1. This directive is applicable within 100 hours of time in service after 31 January 1980, as detailed in Bell Alert SB No. 206L-79-7. The primary concern addressed by this directive is the risk of moisture accumulation in the insulating material adjacent to the fuel feed tube and the fuel vent tube, which can lead to corrosion and potentially severe structural damage.
This legislation imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of the affected helicopters. They must ensure that the replacement of the fuel feed tube and vent tube is carried out within the specified timeframe, i.e., within 100 hours of time in service after the directive date of 31 January 1980. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and failure to adhere to the stipulated timeline and procedures can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy. Operators and owners must maintain detailed records of the compliance actions taken and the maintenance performed to demonstrate adherence to the airworthiness directive.
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/BELL 206/80 can lead to significant civil and criminal consequences. Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can impose penalties on operators and owners who fail to comply with the directive. The specific penalties are not detailed in the text, but generally, penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives can include fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. In severe cases, persistent non-compliance can lead to criminal charges, resulting in more severe penalties. The exact nature and extent of penalties are subject to the prevailing aviation regulations and the discretion of the regulatory authority in individual cases.