COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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.
Bell Helicopter Textron 214 Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 214/1 Main Rotor Tension-Torsion Strap 1/2003
DM
Applicability: Model 214B and 214B-1 helicopters, with main rotor tension-torsion (TT) strap, part number 204-012-122-1, -5, or 214-010-179-1, installed.
Requirement: Remove and replace any TT strap with 1,200 hours total time in service or 24 or more months since initial installation on any helicopter, whichever occurs first.
This Directive revises the Limitations section of the maintenance manual by establishing a life limit for TT straps, part number 204-012-122-1, -5, or 214-010- 179-1, of 1,200 hours total time in service or 24 months since initial installation on any helicopter, whichever occurs first.
Note: FAA AD 2002-22-14 Amdt 39-12941 refers.
Compliance: Before further flight after 27 November 2002, unless already accomplished.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 27 November 2002.
Background: The original FAA AD requirement (AD 80-17-09) was prompted by an offshore accident of a Model 212 helicopter in which a TT strap reportedly failed in- flight after 2,140 hours total time in service, with resulting loss of the main rotor blade. This Directive restates the requirements AD 80-17-09 and establishes a life limit for TT straps by revising the Limitations section of the maintenance manual. The actions required by this Directive are intended to prevent failure of a TT strap, loss of a main rotor blade, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 22 November 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 27 November 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, were introduced to establish comprehensive regulations governing civil aviation safety within Australia. This legislation, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), aims to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products by setting forth stringent safety standards and directives. A notable directive under this act is AD/BELL 214/1, issued on 27 November 2002, which addresses the safety concern related to the main rotor tension-torsion (TT) straps on Bell Helicopter Textron 214 Series Helicopters. This directive mandates the replacement of TT straps after 1,200 hours of total time in service or 24 months since initial installation, whichever comes first, to mitigate the risk of in-flight failure and subsequent loss of control. This measure was prompted by an incident where a Model 212 helicopter experienced a TT strap failure after 2,140 hours, resulting in the loss of a main rotor blade. The objective of this directive is to prevent similar occurrences and ensure the continued safety of air operations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 apply to any person or entity involved in the operation of aircraft or aeronautical products within Australia. Specifically, this Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertains to Model 214B and 214B-1 helicopters equipped with a main rotor tension-torsion (TT) strap. The AD mandates the replacement of these TT straps when they reach 1,200 hours of total service time or 24 months since initial installation, whichever comes first. The directive is effective from 27 November 2002 and requires compliance before further flight unless the replacement has already been carried out. This AD extends its application through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which issues such directives to ensure the airworthiness and safety of aircraft within Australian jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39, section 105, outlines the regulatory framework for airworthiness directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Specifically, section 39.1(1) empowers CASA to issue ADs to address identified safety concerns. The Airworthiness Directive (AD) discussed pertains to the Bell Helicopter Textron 214 Series Helicopters, focusing on the main rotor tension-torsion (TT) strap. According to the AD/BELL 214/1, the directive applies to Model 214B and 214B-1 helicopters equipped with a specific TT strap part number (204-012-122-1, -5, or 214-010-179-1). The requirement necessitates the removal and replacement of any TT strap that has accumulated either 1,200 hours of total time in service or 24 months since its initial installation, whichever comes first. This directive revises the maintenance manual to establish these life limits for the specified TT straps.
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Operators and maintenance personnel must adhere to the specified timeline for replacing the TT straps. The compliance section mandates that any helicopter must have its TT straps replaced before further flight if it has already accumulated either 1,200 hours of total time in service or 24 months since initial installation. This ensures that the risk of in-flight failure of the TT strap, which could lead to the loss of a main rotor blade and subsequent loss of control, is mitigated. The directive was issued to address a historical safety concern, as evidenced by an offshore accident involving a Model 212 helicopter where a TT strap failure occurred after 2,140 hours of service.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the AD may lead to significant consequences. The directive, which became effective on 27 November 2002, must be strictly adhered to, as non-compliance could result in safety risks that might lead to severe accidents. While the specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with ADs generally can result in enforcement actions by CASA, including fines, suspension, or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness. The directive references FAA AD 2002-22-14 Amdt 39-12941, suggesting alignment with international safety standards and possibly indicating that similar enforcement measures could apply in Australia.