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 212/43 Bogus Pressure Gauge Emergency
Floats P/N 212-073-905- 1
4/90
DM
Applicability: All models.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Bell OSN-GEN-89-14.
Compliance: At the next inspection for Maintenance Release issue after 28 February 1990 or before the next charging of the emergency float reservoir, whichever is earlier.
Background: The aircraft manufacturer has had reported an incident where the subject pressure gauge exploded at only 2000 psig. The gauge was subsequently found to be bogus. Failure of the bogus gauge could severely injure maintenance personnel.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, represent a critical framework aimed at ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. The Regulations are comprehensive and cover a wide range of areas, including the safety of aircraft and the certification of aviation personnel. One specific area addressed by the Regulations is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives, which are mandatory orders aimed at correcting an unsafe condition on an aircraft. For instance, AD/BELL 212/43 pertains to Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters, specifically addressing the issue of bogus pressure gauge emergency floats. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of injury to maintenance personnel due to the potential explosion of such gauges. The policy objective here is to ensure that all aircraft meet stringent safety standards, thereby protecting both the personnel and the public from aviation-related hazards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, mandates the application of Airworthiness Directives for the Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series helicopters, focusing on the requirement for bogus pressure gauge emergency floats. This directive applies to all models of Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series helicopters, ensuring that maintenance and compliance procedures are strictly followed to prevent incidents such as the explosion of a bogus pressure gauge at 2000 psig, which could lead to serious injury to maintenance personnel. The directive requires action in accordance with Bell OSN-GEN-89-14, necessitating compliance at the next inspection for Maintenance Release issue after 28 February 1990 or before the next charging of the emergency float reservoir, whichever is earlier. This regulation is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring that all operations and maintenance activities conform to the specified safety standards, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation within Australia's jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the applicability of the Airworthiness Directives for Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters (section 39.105). In particular, AD/BELL 212/43 addresses the issue of bogus pressure gauge emergency floats, which are identified by part number 212-073-905-14/90DM. This directive applies to all models of the Bell 212 series helicopters (section 39.105(1)). The directive requires that action be taken in accordance with Bell OSN-GEN-89-14 to address the identified issue (section 39.105(2)).
To comply with this directive, the action must be taken either at the next inspection for maintenance release issue after 28 February 1990 or before the next charging of the emergency float reservoir, whichever occurs first (section 39.105(3)). The background information provided explains that the aircraft manufacturer has reported an incident where the subject pressure gauge exploded at a pressure of only 2000 psig, and the gauge was subsequently found to be bogus. The failure of such a gauge could potentially cause severe injuries to maintenance personnel (section 39.105(4)).
The obligations imposed by this directive on the operators and maintainers of Bell 212 series helicopters are to ensure that they take the specified actions to replace or rectify the bogus pressure gauge as outlined in the directive. This includes conducting the necessary checks and maintenance at the stipulated intervals to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and to prevent potential hazards arising from the failure of the pressure gauge (section 39.105(5)). Compliance with these directives is essential to avoid any safety risks that could compromise the safety of the flight crew and passengers.
Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directives set out in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in serious consequences. Operators and maintainers who do not adhere to the specified requirements may face both civil and criminal penalties. The specific penalties are not detailed in the text, but they could include fines and potential imprisonment for serious breaches that result in harm or endangerment. The exact penalties would be determined based on the severity of the breach and the specific regulations violated (section 39.105(6)). It is crucial for all parties involved to ensure strict compliance to avoid these severe repercussions.