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 206/97
Amdt 2
Quick Disconnect Dual Controls 9/85
Applicability: All model 206A/B and 206 B-JRIII helicopters prior to serial number 3851 and all model 206L, 206L-1 and 206L-3 helicopters prior to serial number 51126, equipped with quick disconnect dual controls.
All Agusta-Bell model AB 206A and AB 206B helicopters prior to serial number 8693, equipped with quick disconnect dual controls.
Requirement: Document:
- Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 206-85-27 Rev.A.
2. Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 206L-85-33 Rev.A. or 3. Agusta T.B. 206-166.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1985 or at the next scheduled inspection for maintenance release issue after 30 September 1985, whichever is the later.
Note: Helicopters modified in accordance with the requirements of the original issue of this AD and found to have satisfactory clearance as required by Amdt 1 of this AD are acceptable as complying with this AD.
Background: An accident which occurred due to loss of cyclic control whilst the helicopter was being flown from the left hand (co-pilot) seat, has been associated to the quick disconnect cyclic stick being improperly installed where it attaches to the lever assembly under the co-pilot seat.
Amdt 1 was issued to eliminate part interference between the gas producer tube and a rivet attaching the spring pin assembly.
This amendment has been issued to include Agusta-Bell model AB 206A and AB 206B model helicopters.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), as amended by the Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Regulations 1998 (F2006B04544), were enacted to ensure the safety and airworthiness of civil aircraft within Australian airspace. This particular legislative instrument targets the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 series helicopters, addressing a safety concern identified with the quick disconnect dual controls on specific models. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), under the authority of the Australian Government, established this Airworthiness Directive (AD) to mitigate the risk of accidents resulting from improper installation of the quick disconnect cyclic stick. The directive aims to ensure that all specified helicopters adhere to updated safety standards, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
The AD/BELL 206/97 Amendment 2, issued in 1985, applies to all model 206A/B and 206 B-JRIII helicopters prior to certain serial numbers, as well as Agusta-Bell model AB 206A and AB 206B helicopters before a specified serial number, all equipped with quick disconnect dual controls. The amendment was prompted by an accident involving loss of cyclic control attributed to an improperly installed quick disconnect cyclic stick. The requirement for compliance mandates adherence to specified service bulletins and necessitates corrective actions within 100 hours of time in service post the amendment date or at the next scheduled inspection. This directive underscores CASA's commitment to maintaining stringent safety standards in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) that are critical for ensuring the safety of aviation operations in Australia. This particular AD/BELL 206/97 Amendment 2 pertains to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series helicopters, focusing on the issue of quick disconnect dual controls. The directive applies to all model 206A/B and 206 B-JRIII helicopters prior to serial number 3851, as well as all model 206L, 206L-1, and 206L-3 helicopters prior to serial number 51126, and all Agusta-Bell model AB 206A and AB 206B helicopters prior to serial number 8693, all of which must be equipped with quick disconnect dual controls. Compliance with the directive is mandatory within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1985 or at the next scheduled inspection for maintenance release, whichever is later. This AD is designed to rectify issues associated with loss of cyclic control, specifically due to improper installation of the quick disconnect cyclic stick. The requirement for compliance is detailed in the Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 206-85-27 Rev.A, Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 206L-85-33 Rev.A, or Agusta T.B. 206-166.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address airworthiness directives concerning Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 206 and Agusta Bell 206 Series Helicopters, with a focus on the quick disconnect dual controls. Section 1 of this regulation details the applicability of the directive to certain model helicopters equipped with these controls, specifically those prior to certain serial numbers (subsection 1(1)).
The regulation requires compliance with specific service bulletins, namely Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 206-85-27 Rev.A, Bell Helicopter Textron Alert Service Bulletin 206L-85-33 Rev.A, or Agusta T.B. 206-166, within 100 hours of time in service or at the next scheduled inspection after 30 September 1985, whichever is later (subsection 1(2)). It acknowledges that helicopters previously modified in accordance with earlier directives and found compliant are also considered to meet the current directive requirements (subsection 1(3)).
These obligations impose a clear timeline and procedural adherence on the operators of the specified helicopters, mandating specific modifications to avoid potential safety issues related to improper installation of the quick disconnect cyclic stick. The regulatory intent is to prevent accidents associated with loss of cyclic control, which has been traced to improper installation (subsection 1(4)).
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in severe civil and criminal consequences. The primary civil penalty is a financial penalty, with the amount determined by the seriousness of the non-compliance (subsection 2(1)). Additionally, criminal penalties may apply, including fines of up to $21,000 for individuals and substantially higher amounts for corporations, along with potential imprisonment terms (subsection 2(2)). The exact penalties depend on the specifics of the breach and the jurisdiction's discretion in enforcement.