AD/BELL 214/6 Emergency Exit Latch Pin

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au F2018L00986 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Explanatory Statement

Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998

AD/BELL 214/6 – Emergency Exit Latch Pin

Legislation

Under section 98 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (the Act), the Governor-General may make regulations for the purpose of carrying out and giving effect to the provisions of the Convention on International Civil Aviation relating to safety, amongst other things. Under regulation 39.001 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR), CASA may issue an airworthiness directive (AD) for a kind of aircraft or aeronautical product. Under subsections 98 (5B) and (5BA) of the Act, an AD is a legislative instrument unless it is expressed to apply in relation to a particular person, a particular aircraft or a particular aeronautical product.

Under Annex 8 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, the State of Design has overall responsibility for continuing airworthiness of an aircraft type, and must provide any information necessary to ensure the continuing airworthiness of a type to appropriate States of Registry. ADs (and their equivalents) are the most common form of continuing airworthiness information, and are issued by most International Civil Aviation Organization Contracting States.

The State of Registry of an individual aircraft is responsible for its continuing airworthiness. Under Annex 8, the State of Registry must develop or adopt requirements to ensure the continuing airworthiness of aircraft. Regulation 39.001A of CASR 1998, defines “airworthiness directive” to include Foreign State of Design ADs issued on or after 1 October 2009. Accordingly, when a Foreign State of Design issues an AD for a type of aircraft on the Australian Register, that AD applies to Australian aircraft. However, CASA may grant an exclusion from the AD or approve an acceptable means of compliance other than that set out in the AD.

The United States of America Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued AD 77‑17-05 affecting Bell Helicopter Textron 214 series helicopters in 1977. The United States is the State of Design for these helicopters. As there is a Bell 214 series helicopter on the Australian aircraft register, and as FAA AD 77-17-05 pre-dates the automatic acceptance of foreign State of Design ADs under Part 39 of CASR, CASA has issued AD/BELL 214/6 to mandate the requirements of FAA AD 77-17-05, as in force at the date of issue of AD/BELL 214/6.

The Bell Helicopter Textron Service Bulletins referred to in the AD, as in force at the time of issue of AD/BELL 214/6, can be obtained from Bell Helicopter Textron, however, any Australian operator which operates the Bell 214 series helicopter is provided with these documents by Bell Helicopter Textron via subscription.

FAA AD 77-17-05 is freely available from the FAA’s website at the following internet address:

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAD.nsf/Frameset?OpenPage

Consultation

As this AD is being made in accordance with CASA’s obligations under Annex 8 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, it is CASA’s view that it was not necessary or appropriate to undertake any further consultation under section 17 of the Legislation Act 2003.

Regulation Impact Statement

A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) is not required because ADs are covered by a standing agreement between CASA and the Office of Best Practice Regulation under which a RIS is not required for ADs (OBPR id. 14507).

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

A Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights is at Attachment 1.

Making and commencement

The AD has been made by a delegate of CASA relying on the power of delegation under subregulation 11.260 (1) of CASR 1998 and subsection 94 (1) of the Act.

The instrument commences on 10 July 2018.

[Instrument number AD/BELL 214/6]


Attachment 1

Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the
Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

AD/BELL 214/6 – Emergency Exit Latch Pin

This legislative instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

Overview of the legislative instrument

The legislative instrument is an airworthiness directive (AD). AD/BELL 214/6 has been issued to mandate the requirements of FAA AD 77-17-05, applicable to Bell Helicopter Textron 214 series helicopters in accordance with CASA’s obligations under Annex 8 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Human rights implications

This legislative instrument does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.

Conclusion

This legislative instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia by implementing the provisions of the Convention on International Civil Aviation. This legislation provides the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) with the authority to issue airworthiness directives (ADs) to address safety issues and ensure the continuing airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products. The AD/BELL 214/6 – Emergency Exit Latch Pin was introduced to mandate the requirements of a United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness directive issued in 1977 for Bell Helicopter Textron 214 series helicopters, which are registered in Australia. The policy objective of this AD is to align Australian regulations with international safety standards, as stipulated under Annex 8 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, which designates the State of Design as responsible for the continuing airworthiness of aircraft types. The AD has been made by a delegate of CASA under the authority delegated by the Governor-General in accordance with the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. It commenced on 10 July 2018.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, as amended by AD/BELL 214/6, pertain specifically to the airworthiness and operational safety of Bell Helicopter Textron 214 series helicopters registered in Australia. This legislative instrument is applicable to all operators of these helicopters, ensuring they comply with safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The AD mandates adherence to the requirements of FAA AD 77-17-05, which was issued by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1977. As the United States is the State of Design for these helicopters, the AD is necessary to ensure Australian helicopters meet international safety standards. While the primary application of this AD is within Australia, its scope extends to harmonising national regulations with international obligations under the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The AD may be subject to further interpretation or modification through subordinate instruments issued by CASA, ensuring that it remains aligned with evolving safety standards and technological advancements. The AD does not include any specific exclusions or exemptions but provides avenues for operators to seek alternative means of compliance if necessary.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) under section 39.001 empower the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue airworthiness directives (ADs) for types of aircraft or aeronautical products, including those issued by foreign States of Design. Specifically, AD/BELL 214/6 mandates the requirements of the United States Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) AD 77-17-05 for Bell Helicopter Textron 214 series helicopters, which are registered in Australia. This directive applies to ensure the continuing airworthiness of these helicopters in alignment with international safety standards as outlined in Annex 8 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation. Operators of Bell Helicopter Textron 214 series helicopters in Australia are required to comply with AD/BELL 214/6. This involves ensuring that the emergency exit latch pin on their helicopters meets the specifications outlined in FAA AD 77-17-05. Operators must follow the procedures and obtain the necessary documentation, such as the Bell Helicopter Textron Service Bulletins, which are provided by Bell Helicopter Textron. CASA has the authority to grant exclusions from the directive or approve alternative means of compliance if deemed necessary. Failure to comply with AD/BELL 214/6 can result in significant penalties. CASA can enforce compliance through various means, including fines and other sanctions. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the explanatory statement but are likely to be severe given the importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to ensure safety in aviation. Operators are advised to strictly adhere to the directive to avoid any potential legal repercussions. The AD/BELL 214/6 has been issued without the need for further consultation as it aligns with CASA's obligations under the Convention on International Civil Aviation. Additionally, a Regulation Impact Statement is not required due to a standing agreement between CASA and the Office of Best Practice Regulation. The directive is also compatible with human rights as it does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms, as outlined in the Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Aviation Law
Instrument
Regulation
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Compliance Obligations
Enforcement Powers
Catchwords
Airworthiness Directive
Commencement Provisions

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.