AD/BELL 212/36 Amdt 1 - Emergency Flotation System and Squib Valve

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serves as a comprehensive legal framework governing civil aviation in the country. A specific legislative instrument within this framework, F2006B04567, pertains to Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations and addresses the safety and airworthiness of aircraft, specifically targeting the Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters. This instrument was introduced to address the problem of emergency flotation system and squib valve failures in certain model 212 helicopters, which could potentially lead to catastrophic outcomes during emergency situations. The policy objective is to enhance the safety and reliability of these helicopters by mandating compliance with updated service bulletins and directives issued by the manufacturer, Bell Helicopter Textron. This ensures that all affected aircraft meet the latest safety standards and are maintained in a safe and airworthy condition.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Airworthiness Directives concerning the Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters. This regulation applies to all model 212 helicopters with specific serial numbers, namely those between S/N 30504 to 31277 and 32101 to 32142, provided they are equipped with the Emergency Flotation Kit P/No 212-706-042-1, -3, -101, -103, -105. The directive mandates compliance with Bell Alert Service Bulletin No 212-87-42 and requires actions to be taken within 500 hours of time in service after 7 May 1987 or before 31 July 1987, whichever is earlier. It is crucial to note that adherence to the previous issue of this directive does not meet the compliance requirements of this amended version. This regulation aims to mitigate the risk of emergency flotation squib valve assembly failures, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the specified helicopter models within the Commonwealth of Australia.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, mandate that all Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series helicopters with specified serial numbers and fitted with certain Emergency Flotation Kits, must adhere to the requirements set out in Amendment 1 (AD/BELL 212/36Amdt 1). This includes actions in accordance with Bell Alert Service Bulletin No 212-87-42 (section 105). The compliance deadline is within 500 hours of time in service after 7 May 1987 or before 31 July 1987, whichever comes first. It is important to note that compliance with a previous issue of this directive does not satisfy the requirements of this amendment. Entities governed by these regulations must ensure that their helicopters meet the outlined specifications and adhere to the mandated service bulletin. This involves inspecting the helicopters' emergency flotation systems and squib valves, and taking corrective action as specified. Compliance must be achieved within the specified timeframe, and any previous compliance with earlier directives will not suffice for this particular amendment. These obligations are crucial for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the affected helicopters. Failure to comply with these directives can lead to severe consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can generally result in significant civil and criminal penalties under Australian law. These can include fines and potential imprisonment for individuals found guilty of breaching the regulations. Additionally, non-compliance can lead to the grounding of affected aircraft, which can have serious operational and financial repercussions for the operators. The regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which has the authority to take enforcement actions against non-compliant entities.