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 212/38 Engine Fuel Valve Electrical Connectors
P/NO MS3456W14S-5S
1/88
Applicability: Model 212 S No 30504 to 30999 and S No 31101 to 31291 and 32101 to 32142. Requirement: Action in accordance with Bell Alert SB 212-87-46.
Compliance: Prior to 1 March 1988.
Background: Field reports against some motor driven fuel valves indicate that with no prior warning the valve begins to oscillate between “open and closed”. The failure has been traced to an internal short circuit within the fuel valve connector P No MS3456W14S-5S manufactured by T.J. Electronics, and identified by the prefix TJE.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, include a specific part addressing safety directives for aircraft, notably through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives. This legislative instrument, identified as F2006B04569, was enacted to address safety concerns arising from mechanical and electrical failures in aircraft components, ensuring the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. One such directive, AD/BELL 212/38, pertains to Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters, specifically focusing on engine fuel valve electrical connectors. The directive was introduced in response to reports of motor driven fuel valves experiencing unexpected oscillation between open and closed positions, a failure traced to internal short circuits in certain fuel valve connectors. The policy objective is to mandate compliance with Bell Alert SB 212-87-46, ensuring that affected helicopters are serviced before a specified date to mitigate the risk of in-flight failure. This regulatory measure aims to enhance the safety standards of civil aviation operations in Australia by addressing identified mechanical vulnerabilities.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, encompasses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which includes directives for Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters. This regulation applies to specific serial numbers of the model 212, namely S No 30504 to 30999 and S No 31101 to 31291, as well as S No 32101 to 32142, mandating compliance with Bell Alert SB 212-87-46. This requirement was established prior to 1 March 1988, following field reports of motor-driven fuel valves experiencing oscillation between open and closed states without prior warning. The issue stems from an internal short circuit within the fuel valve connector, identified by the prefix TJE and manufactured by T.J. Electronics. The regulation ensures these helicopters meet necessary safety standards to prevent such failures, thereby maintaining the airworthiness of affected aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, sets forth the requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of certain aircraft. For Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series helicopters, AD/BELL 212/38 pertains to engine fuel valve electrical connectors (section 39-105). The directive applies to specific models of the 212 series, namely those with serial numbers ranging from 30504 to 30999, 31101 to 31291, and 32101 to 32142. The directive requires compliance with Bell Alert SB 212-87-46, which outlines actions to be taken to address issues with engine fuel valve connectors that may oscillate between open and closed states without warning.
Under this legislation, operators and owners of the specified Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series models must ensure that the engine fuel valve electrical connectors are addressed in accordance with Bell Alert SB 212-87-46. This means that any internal short circuits within the connectors, particularly those manufactured by T.J. Electronics and identified by the prefix TJE, must be rectified before 1 March 1988. The primary objective is to prevent the oscillation of the motor-driven fuel valves, which can lead to significant safety risks during flight.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the Airworthiness Directive AD/BELL 212/38 may result in severe consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance can lead to civil or criminal penalties. The specific penalties are not detailed within the directive but are governed by broader provisions within the Civil Aviation Act 1988. For instance, operating an aircraft that does not meet airworthiness standards can result in fines and imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the severity of the breach and any subsequent investigation by CASA.