COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 212/2
Amdt 3
Main Rotor Blade - Inspection and Modification
3/80
Applicability: All models with main rotor blades P/No. 204-012-001 (all dash numbers) and P/N 212-015-501-5.
Document: Bell SB No. 212-75-6, Rev. C. Compliance: As detailed in the requirement document.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Civil Aviation Amendment (Enhancing Aviation Safety) Regulations 2006, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This piece of legislation was introduced to address gaps in existing aviation regulations and to comply with international aviation safety standards. The Regulations were enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, with the overarching policy objective of enhancing the safety of civil aviation. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Regulations provides detailed directives for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft, including specific Airworthiness Directives for particular aircraft models, such as the Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters. These directives aim to ensure that all aircraft in Australian airspace meet the necessary safety standards and are operated in a manner that minimises risk to passengers, crew, and the general public.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as outlined in Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, apply specifically to Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters. This regulation mandates that all models equipped with main rotor blades bearing parts numbers 204-012-001 (all dash numbers) and 212-015-501-5 must undergo a detailed inspection and modification process as stipulated in Bell Service Bulletin No. 212-75-6, Revision C. The directive ensures the safety and airworthiness of these helicopters by enforcing compliance with the specified requirements. This regulation applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, impacting helicopter operators and maintenance providers who must adhere to the outlined safety standards. The application of this directive is comprehensive, encompassing all relevant entities and persons involved in the operation and maintenance of the specified helicopter models, thereby ensuring uniformity and adherence to safety regulations within the national jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, details the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for various aircraft, including the Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters. Within this document, AD/BELL 212/2 Amendment 3 (AD/BELL 212/2/Amdt 3) focuses on the inspection and modification of main rotor blades (sections 3/80). This AD applies to all Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series models equipped with main rotor blades bearing part numbers 204-012-001 (across all dash numbers) and 212-015-501-5. Compliance with these directives is crucial and must be carried out as specified in the requirement document, which is Bell Service Bulletin No. 212-75-6, Revision C.
Under AD/BELL 212/2/Amdt 3, operators and owners of affected Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series helicopters must adhere to stringent inspection and, if necessary, modification procedures for the specified main rotor blades. These requirements are designed to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the aircraft by addressing potential issues identified with the listed rotor blade part numbers. Operators are obliged to perform the inspections as per the detailed instructions in Bell SB No. 212-75-6, Rev. C, ensuring that any detected deficiencies are rectified appropriately.
Failure to comply with AD/BELL 212/2/Amdt 3 can lead to significant consequences. Non-compliance may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to grounding of the helicopter until the required inspections and modifications are completed. Additionally, operators and owners found in breach of these ADs may face enforcement actions by CASA, including fines and other penalties. The Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations mandate strict adherence to ADs to maintain high safety standards within the aviation industry. The penalties for non-compliance can be substantial, reflecting the critical nature of ensuring aircraft airworthiness and passenger safety.