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 212/25
Amdt 4
Main Rotor Yoke 9/91
Applicability: All helicopters fitted with main rotor yoke P/N 204-011-102- (all dash numbers).
Requirement: 1. Inspect the main rotor yoke in-situ in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in Bell Alert SB No 212-90-60, Revision A, dated 31 August 1990.
2. Remove the yoke assembly from the main rotor hub assembly and inspect the yoke in accordance with FAA AD 79-20-05, Amendment 39-3662.
Compliance: As detailed in the Requirement Documents.
Background: Amendment 3 implemented the additional inspections of ASB 212-87-48, which was issued as a result of fatigue cracks being found in service. It required that visual inspections of the main rotor yoke be performed daily and every 1200 hours/24 months. These are additional to the more detailed 2400 hourly inspection specified in FAA AD 79-20-05.
Amendment 4 specifies Bell Alert SB 212-90-60, which supersedes ASB 212-87-48, and adds a yoke spindle inspection to Part III, required at 1200 hours/24 month intervals. Inspections done to earlier amendments may be considered for the purposes of determining when amendment 4 inspections are due.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) operates under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted by the Australian Parliament to regulate civil aviation and ensure the safety of aircraft within Australian airspace. The regulations are designed to maintain the highest standards of airworthiness and operational safety. One specific area covered by these regulations is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs), which address identified safety issues with aircraft. The AD/BELL 212/25 Amendment 4 pertains to the Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters and was introduced to address safety concerns related to the main rotor yoke. The problem it was introduced to address includes the potential for fatigue cracks in the main rotor yoke, which could compromise the structural integrity of the helicopter during flight. The directive aims to mitigate these risks through regular and detailed inspections as outlined in the Bell Alert SB 212-90-60 and FAA AD 79-20-05 documentation, ensuring that operators comply with the specified inspection intervals and procedures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all helicopters of the Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series that are fitted with a main rotor yoke bearing the part number 204-011-102- (all dash numbers). The legislation is a national regulation issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), governing the maintenance and safety standards for these particular aircraft components. This regulation is designed to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these helicopters by mandating regular inspections of the main rotor yoke. The requirement includes conducting visual inspections daily and at every 1200 flight hours or 24 months, as outlined in Bell Alert SB No 212-90-60, Revision A, dated 31 August 1990. Additionally, a more detailed inspection of the yoke assembly removed from the main rotor hub is mandated in accordance with FAA AD 79-20-05, Amendment 39-3662. These inspections are crucial as they address issues such as fatigue cracks previously found in service, ensuring that any potential safety hazards are identified and rectified promptly.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address the safety of Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. Amendment 4, related to the main rotor yoke, imposes several key requirements on the helicopters in question. Section 1 of the Amendment requires an inspection of the main rotor yoke in-situ, as detailed in Bell Alert SB No 212-90-60, Revision A, dated 31 August 1990. Additionally, section 2 mandates that the yoke assembly be removed from the main rotor hub assembly and inspected according to FAA AD 79-20-05, Amendment 39-3662. Compliance with these requirements must be in accordance with the specified accomplishment instructions.
The obligations imposed by these sections necessitate that operators of Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters adhere to strict inspection protocols. The main rotor yoke must undergo daily inspections, as well as inspections at every 1200 hours of operation or every 24 months, whichever comes first. This is in addition to the more comprehensive 2400 hourly inspection outlined in FAA AD 79-20-05. These regular inspections are crucial to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft, particularly in light of the historical issue of fatigue cracks found in service.
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to serious consequences. Non-compliance with CASA requirements can result in civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties can include fines and other sanctions imposed by CASA. Additionally, criminal charges may be brought against individuals or entities responsible for non-compliance, potentially leading to imprisonment. The exact penalties for non-compliance are not specified in the text but are likely to be severe given the safety-critical nature of the directives.