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 212/49 Tail Rotor Driveshaft Hangar Bearings 1/92
DM
Applicability: All models fitted with tail rotor driveshaft bearings.
P/N 204-040-623-003 with a S/N prefix of either “T” or “N” prior to N4000 and all - 005 bearings with a S/N prefix of either “T” or “N”.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Bell Alert Service Bulletin 212-91-69 Revision A.
Note: FAA Priority Letter AD 91-24-16 refers.
Compliance: Daily before first flight of the day after 27 November 1991.
Background: A daily inspection of the tail rotor driveshaft bearings has been found necessary following a fatal accident which revealed the possibility of a production batch problem with these bearings.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended through the legislative instrument F2006B04581, was introduced to address safety concerns within the aviation sector, particularly focusing on the maintenance and operational standards of aircraft. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, the regulations are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), with the overarching policy objective being to ensure the safety and reliability of civil aviation operations. This specific legislative instrument pertains to the Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters, addressing a critical safety issue identified with the tail rotor driveshaft hangar bearings. Following a fatal accident that highlighted a potential production batch problem, the regulations mandate daily inspections of these components, as per the requirements outlined in Bell Alert Service Bulletin 212-91-69 Revision A, to mitigate risks and enhance flight safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, applies to all Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters that are fitted with tail rotor driveshaft bearings, with particular attention to those bearing part numbers 204-040-623-003 prefixed with "T" or "N" before serial number N4000 and all -005 bearings with the same prefix. This legislation is applicable nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The requirement stems from the need to ensure the airworthiness of these helicopters by adhering to the actions specified in Bell Alert Service Bulletin 212-91-69 Revision A, as referenced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Priority Letter AD 91-24-16. This directive became necessary following a fatal accident that highlighted potential issues with a production batch of these bearings. Operators must comply with the directive by conducting a daily inspection of the specified bearings before the first flight of the day, starting from 28 November 1991, to ensure safety and prevent further incidents.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. Within this context, AD/BELL 212/49 focuses on Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters, specifically addressing tail rotor driveshaft hangar bearings (section 1/92DM). The directive applies to all models fitted with tail rotor driveshaft bearings, specifically those with part numbers 204-040-623-003 with a serial number (S/N) prefix of either "T" or "N" prior to N4000 and all -005 bearings with a S/N prefix of either "T" or "N" (section Applicability).
Operators of these helicopters must comply with Bell Alert Service Bulletin 212-91-69 Revision A, as referenced in the directive. This compliance includes performing a daily inspection of the tail rotor driveshaft bearings before the first flight of the day, following the date of 27 November 1991 (section Requirement). This mandate is a direct response to a fatal accident that revealed potential production batch issues with these bearings, thereby necessitating stringent inspection protocols.
The directive imposes specific obligations on helicopter operators and maintenance personnel. They must adhere to the detailed inspection procedures outlined in the Bell Alert Service Bulletin. This involves checking the specified tail rotor driveshaft hangar bearings for any signs of wear, damage, or other issues that could compromise the safety of the aircraft. The directive mandates that these inspections be conducted daily to ensure the continued airworthiness of the helicopter (section Compliance).
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/BELL 212/49 may result in serious civil or criminal consequences. While the regulations do not specify exact penalties, non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. Operators must ensure that the inspections are performed correctly and documented properly to avoid any regulatory penalties. The safety of all passengers and crew aboard the helicopter is paramount, and any breach of these directives can have severe legal and safety implications.