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 212/51 Fin To Tail Boom Junction 8/92
TX
Applicability: All models.
Requirement: Remove the tail boom lower elliptical inspection panel, (Part number 205-030-814- 019) and perform a close visual inspection of the internal tail boom to fin junction area, paying particular attention to:
1) Skin Part number 212-030-099-087 or -131, in the internal radius adjacent to, and the area immediately forward of, angle Stiffener Part number 205-030-801-007. (See attached diagram, Item 22).
2) The flanges of the left and right hand upper boom longerons, in the area adjacent to angle Stiffener Part number 205-030-801-007. (See attached diagram, Item 21).
Compliance: At the earliest opportunity, but before further flight after 25 May 92.
Background: One operator of a Bell 212 has reported a 250 mm crack in the subject skin, and adjacent cracks in the upper left hand longeron. These cracks occurred in line with the forward edge of the gear box support mount, and progressed under the skin doubler (Part number 212-030-099-089 or -129, Item 23 ) making external detection difficult. This one-off inspection is required to ensure that no other helicopters are immediately affected. Further action may be expected following laboratory investigation or manufacturers recommendation.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australian airspace. One of the key components of these regulations is Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This part specifically addresses airworthiness directives for various aircraft, including the Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters, as seen in AD/BELL 212/51 concerning the fin to tail boom junction. The policy objective of these regulations is to maintain the highest standards of safety by requiring operators to adhere to specific directives that address identified safety issues. This includes the directive to inspect the internal tail boom to fin junction area of Bell 212 helicopters, prompted by a reported crack in the skin and adjacent longerons of a single helicopter model, which could potentially compromise the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as detailed in Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, apply specifically to Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters, covering all models. This regulation mandates a critical inspection and potentially remedial action for the fin to tail boom junction area of these aircraft. The requirement involves removing the tail boom lower elliptical inspection panel and conducting a close visual inspection of the internal tail boom to fin junction area, focusing on specified skin parts and the flanges of the upper boom longerons. This directive is intended to address reported structural integrity issues, such as cracks in the skin and longerons, which have been difficult to detect externally and have been linked to specific stress points on the aircraft. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for all operators of Bell 212 helicopters, necessitating the inspection to be completed at the earliest opportunity but before further flight following the issuance date of 25 May 1992. The regulation's scope is comprehensive, targeting all Bell 212 series helicopters, with no stated exclusions or exemptions, ensuring that all affected aircraft are subject to the specified safety measures.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/BELL 212/51, pertain to the inspection of Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series helicopters. Section 39-105 mandates the removal of the tail boom lower elliptical inspection panel (Part number 205-030-814-019) and a close visual inspection of the internal tail boom to fin junction area. The inspection must focus on two key areas: (1) the skin parts numbered 212-030-099-087 or -131, particularly the internal radius adjacent to and immediately forward of angle Stiffener Part number 205-030-801-007, and (2) the flanges of the left and right hand upper boom longerons in the area adjacent to the same angle stiffener. This inspection is crucial as it aims to identify any potential cracks similar to those reported in one operator's helicopter.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's directive imposes clear obligations on operators of Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series helicopters. Operators must ensure that the specified inspection is conducted at the earliest opportunity but before any further flight after 25 May 1992. The inspection must be thorough, with a focus on the areas identified in the directive, to prevent any potential safety issues. This requirement is a direct response to a reported 250 mm crack in the skin and adjacent cracks in the upper left-hand longeron of a Bell 212 helicopter, which were difficult to detect externally due to their location under the skin doubler.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this directive can lead to significant consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, it is common for breaches of Civil Aviation Regulations to result in penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These can include substantial fines, enforcement notices, or even prosecution for serious non-compliance. The potential for such actions underscores the importance of adhering to the inspection directives to maintain airworthiness and safety standards in aviation operations.