AD/BELL 212/29 - Emergency Flotation Installation Manual Actuation System - Modification and Rerigging

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, address the issue of ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft through various airworthiness directives. One such directive, AD/BELL 212/29, was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to address problems associated with the emergency flotation system of Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series helicopters. This directive mandates the modification and rerigging of the manual actuation system of the emergency flotation installation for Bell 212 models equipped with the Kit 212-706-042, which were delivered prior to October 1, 1981. The urgency of this directive arises from instances where the floats failed to inflate after the manual inflation handle was pulled during manufacturer tests, necessitating compliance within 25 hours of time in service after 6 November, 1981. The policy objective behind this directive is to enhance the safety and reliability of the emergency flotation system, thereby mitigating risks during emergency situations. By enforcing this modification, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority aims to ensure that the emergency flotation systems operate effectively, providing critical safety benefits to all personnel involved in the operation of these helicopters.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series helicopters equipped with the emergency flotation system, Kit 212-706-042, that were delivered prior to October 1, 1981. This regulation is a directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft, addressing a safety concern identified during manufacturer tests. The directive mandates modifications and rerigging of the emergency flotation system manual actuation to prevent instances where the floats did not inflate after the manual inflation handle was pulled. Compliance with this directive is required within 25 hours of flight time after 6 November 1981, as documented in Bell Textron Alert SB No. 212-81-24. This regulation applies nationally across Australia, covering all relevant helicopters within the specified timeframe and configuration, ensuring adherence to safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Key Provisions

The main sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, pertaining to the Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters, particularly the AD/BELL 212/29 Emergency Flotation Installation Manual Actuation System - Modification and Rerigging, focus on ensuring the safety and reliability of the emergency flotation system in specific helicopter models. Section 39.105 specifically addresses the modification and rerigging of the actuation system for helicopters delivered before October 1, 1981, and equipped with the emergency flotation system, Kit 212-706-042. This directive mandates compliance within 25 hours of time in service following 6 November 1981, unless the required modifications have already been performed. The regulation references Bell Textron Alert SB No. 212-81-24 as the document detailing the necessary actions. The obligations imposed by this regulation are clear and direct. Operators of the specified Bell 212 helicopters must ensure that the emergency flotation system’s actuation system is modified and rerigged as per the requirements outlined in the referenced Bell Textron Alert SB No. 212-81-24. This includes performing the necessary actions within the specified timeframe to ensure compliance. Failure to meet these obligations could result in non-compliance with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's directives, potentially impacting the airworthiness of the helicopter. Non-compliance with the provisions of this regulation can lead to serious consequences. Section 97 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 stipulates that any breach of the Civil Aviation Regulations can result in enforcement actions. These actions may include administrative penalties, fines, or other sanctions. In severe cases, continued non-compliance could lead to the grounding of the aircraft, which would significantly impact the operational capabilities of the helicopter and could result in substantial financial and logistical ramifications for the operator. The specific penalties and consequences depend on the severity and frequency of the breach, as well as the discretion of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.