COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/BELL 212/61 Main Hydraulic Servo Actuator
Rod End Lock Washer
9/2001
DM
Applicability: Model 212 helicopters incorporating hydraulic servo actuator, part number (P/No) 41000470, serial numbers with “HR’ prefix up to and including 10010.
Requirement: 1. Inspect the tab on the rod end locking washer of each hydraulic servo actuator for bending and twisting in accordance with “Accomplishment Instructions”, Paragraph 2.A of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc Service Bulletin 212-00-109.
2. Replace P/No NAS513-6 lock washer with P/No NAS513K6C locking device in accordance with “Accomplishment Instructions”, Paragraph 2.B of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc Service Bulletin 212-00-109.
Note: FAA AD 2001-08-04 refers.
Compliance: 1. Within 25 flight hours after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive.
2. Within 100 flight hours after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive or at next actuator overhaul, whichever occurs first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 25 July 2001.
Background: This Directive is prompted by reports of damaged main hydraulic actuator rod end lock washers which can result in rod end disengagement from the actuator and potential for loss of control of the main rotor.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 18 July 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 25 July 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, encompasses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which was enacted to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products through rigorous regulatory oversight. The 2001 Airworthiness Directive AD/BELL 212/61 targets Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters, addressing a safety concern identified with the main hydraulic servo actuator's rod end lock washer. The problem arose from reports of damaged lock washers that could lead to the disengagement of the rod end from the actuator, potentially resulting in loss of control over the main rotor. This directive was issued by the CASA delegate, James Coyne, under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, with the policy objective of mitigating safety risks and ensuring the integrity of the hydraulic system in affected helicopters.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (AD) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. This legislative instrument pertains to the Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series Helicopters, more precisely those with hydraulic servo actuator part number 41000470 and serial numbers prefixed with "HR" up to 10010. The AD necessitates inspections and replacements of specific components to mitigate risks identified in the background section, such as potential disengagement of the rod end from the actuator which could lead to a loss of control over the main rotor. The directive applies on a national level across Australia, ensuring compliance with safety standards set by the Commonwealth. The AD mandates actions to be taken within specific timeframes, contingent upon flight hours or next actuator overhaul, whichever comes first, underscoring CASA's commitment to maintaining stringent safety protocols within the aviation industry.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive AD/BELL 212/61 pertains specifically to Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series helicopters and mandates certain actions to ensure airworthiness. According to section (a) of the applicability, the directive applies to Model 212 helicopters that have a hydraulic servo actuator with the part number (P/No) 41000470 and serial numbers beginning with "HR" up to and including 10010. Section (b) of the requirement mandates that the tab on the rod end locking washer of each hydraulic servo actuator must be inspected for bending and twisting in accordance with the "Accomplishment Instructions", Paragraph 2.A of Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc Service Bulletin 212-00-109. Moreover, section (c) of the requirement stipulates that the P/No NAS513-6 lock washer must be replaced with the P/No NAS513K6C locking device in accordance with the "Accomplishment Instructions", Paragraph 2.B of the aforementioned service bulletin.
The Airworthiness Directive imposes several obligations on the operators of Bell Helicopter Textron 212 Series helicopters. Firstly, operators must ensure that the inspections and replacements are conducted within the specified timeframes. The initial inspection must occur within 25 flight hours after the effective date of the directive, and the replacement of the lock washer must be completed within 100 flight hours after the effective date or at the next actuator overhaul, whichever comes first. The directive clearly outlines these compliance periods in the compliance section. Operators must adhere to the instructions provided in the referenced service bulletin to ensure the proper execution of the required actions.
Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive AD/BELL 212/61 can result in significant consequences. Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) under subregulation 39.1 (1) allows for the enforcement of penalties against entities that do not adhere to the directive. The potential consequences of non-compliance may include fines, sanctions, or other legal actions that could impact the operational status of the helicopter. The severity of the penalties is determined by the nature and extent of the non-compliance, and in some cases, it could lead to grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are completed. Ensuring compliance is thus crucial for maintaining the airworthiness and safety of the aircraft in question.