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 206/9
Amdt 1
Tail Rotor Control Tube - Inspection 4/69
Applicability: All model 206A and AB-206A.
Requirement: 1. Remove the control tube P/N 206-001-021-9 from the aft end of the tail boom and inspect for wear at the five areas where the tube contacts the fair leads.
2. To determine the amount of wear at each location proceed as follows:
(a) Measure the diameter of the tube just forward and aft of the worn area. Make all measurements in the same plane.
(b) Measure the tube diameter in the worn area and compare with the measurements taken in (a) above.
(c) If the wear does not extend through the tube finish, reinstall the tube. If wear in any area extends through the dry film lube (black colour) and the anodize (brown colour) but is not in excess of 0.006 inch on one side, the tube may be rotated 180 degrees and reinstalled. If the wear extends completely around the tube and does not exceed 0.012 inch, reinstall the tube assembly end for end.
(d) If wear is found in any area in excess of 0.012 inch, remove the tube assembly from service.
Compliance: At intervals not exceeding 300 hours time in service after 1 September 1971. Background: AD/Agusta 206/4A equivalent.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, form a comprehensive set of rules governing civil aviation in Australia, including the operation and maintenance of aircraft. Part 39, specifically, deals with the airworthiness of aircraft, ensuring that they meet safety standards before and during operation. One such regulation is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters, known as AD/BELL 206/9 Amendment 1, which was enacted to address issues related to the wear on the tail rotor control tube of these specific helicopter models. This AD was introduced to mitigate potential safety risks by requiring regular inspections of the control tube for wear, thereby ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft. The policy objective is to ensure that any wear or damage to the tail rotor control tube is identified and addressed before it compromises the safety of the helicopter in operation. This AD is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is the relevant authority under the Civil Aviation Act 1988.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 – 105, addresses airworthiness directives concerning the safety of aircraft, with Amendment 1 targeting the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters. This directive applies to all model 206A and AB-206A helicopters, mandating regular inspections of the tail rotor control tube to ensure safety and compliance. The requirement involves the removal and examination of the control tube P/N 206-001-021-9, focusing on wear at five critical contact points with fair leads. Detailed measurement protocols are stipulated to assess the extent of wear, with specific thresholds determining whether the tube can be reinstalled, rotated, or removed from service. Compliance with these inspection intervals, not exceeding 300 hours of time in service after 1 September 1971, is mandatory for maintaining the airworthiness of these helicopters. This directive is part of the broader regulatory framework overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring that all aspects of aviation safety are rigorously maintained.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, mandate that all Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters must comply with the Airworthiness Directives (AD). This particular directive, AD/BELL 206/9 Amendment 1, focuses on the inspection of the tail rotor control tube. The directive applies to all model 206A and AB-206A helicopters (Section 4/69). The primary requirement outlined in this directive is to inspect the control tube P/N 206-001-021-9 for wear at the five areas where the tube contacts the fair leads. This inspection must be conducted by removing the control tube from the aft end of the tail boom.
To determine the extent of the wear, the directive stipulates specific steps. Firstly, the diameter of the tube should be measured just forward and aft of the worn area, ensuring all measurements are taken in the same plane (Section 2(a)). Next, the tube diameter in the worn area must be measured and compared to the measurements taken in step (a) (Section 2(b)). Based on the findings, different actions are required: if the wear does not extend through the tube finish, the tube can be reinstalled (Section 2(c)(i)); if the wear does not exceed 0.006 inch on one side, the tube may be rotated 180 degrees and reinstalled (Section 2(c)(ii)); if the wear is not more than 0.012 inch, the tube can be reinstalled end for end (Section 2(c)(iii)); and if the wear exceeds 0.012 inch, the tube assembly must be removed from service (Section 2(c)(iv)).
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this directive could result in significant consequences. The regulations impose strict obligations on the operators and owners of these helicopters to ensure they adhere to the specified inspection intervals. Non-compliance with these requirements could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Depending on the severity of the breach, this could include administrative penalties, enforcement actions, or even criminal charges. The maximum penalties for non-compliance with aviation safety regulations can include substantial fines and potential imprisonment, highlighting the importance of strict adherence to these safety directives.