COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 222/21 Vertical Fin Attachment Bolt 12/98
DM
Applicability: All Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 222, 222B, and 222U helicopters. Requirement: 1. Check the torque on the vertical fin attachment bolts as outlined in Part I of Alert
Service Bulletin (ASB) 222-98-82 Revision A or 222U-98-53 Revision A, as
applicable.
2. Inspect and reattach the fin as outlined in Part II of the ASBs noted in Requirement 1, as applicable.
3. Verify the correct torque of the attachment bolts as outlined in Part III, Special Inspections, of the ASBs noted in Requirement 1, as applicable.
Note: Transport Canada AD CF-98-21 refers.
Compliance: 1. Unless already accomplished, within 25 hours time in service after 16 September 1998.
2. At or before the next scheduled 150-hour inspection, but not later than 31 December 1998.
3. Within 5 to 10 hours time in service after compliance with the Requirement 2 inspection.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 16 September 1998.
Background: BHTC received a report of a loss of torque of the vertical fin attachment bolts on a Model 230 helicopter. This condition resulted in a loose fin with four of the eight attachment bolts being fractured. The Model 230 helicopter is of similar design to the Model 222 series.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, address the need for stringent safety standards in the operation and maintenance of aircraft. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 within the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 includes the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives which mandate specific safety checks and repairs to ensure aircraft remain airworthy. This particular Airworthiness Directive, AD/BELL 222/21, targets the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 222, 222B, and 222U helicopters, aiming to rectify issues identified in the vertical fin attachment bolts. The directive was introduced following reports of torque loss and subsequent structural failures in similar models, thus ensuring the safety of air operations by enforcing timely inspections and repairs. The policy objective is clearly to maintain the highest safety standards and prevent potential accidents arising from mechanical failures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, governs the airworthiness directives for civil aviation in Australia, with AD/BELL 222/21 being pertinent to the maintenance and operational safety of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 222, 222B, and 222U helicopters. This directive applies to all helicopters of the specified models, mandating stringent checks and maintenance procedures to ensure safety. The legislation outlines the need to check and verify the torque on the vertical fin attachment bolts, inspect and reattach the fin, and confirm the correct torque as per the specified bulletins. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, applying across the Commonwealth of Australia, and it aligns with international standards such as those set by Transport Canada. There are specific timelines for compliance, with immediate checks required within 25 hours of service after the directive's effective date of 16 September 1998, and subsequent inspections within a 150-hour service period, not later than 31 December 1998. The directive does not exclude any helicopters of the specified models from its scope and relies on subordinate instruments, such as Alert Service Bulletins, to provide detailed procedural guidance.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, establish the requirements for airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for specific aircraft models. In this instance, the airworthiness directive AD/BELL 222/21 pertains to all Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 222, 222B, and 222U helicopters. This directive mandates a series of inspections and actions related to the vertical fin attachment bolts of these helicopters. The directive requires the operators to check the torque of the vertical fin attachment bolts, inspect and reattach the fin, and verify the correct torque of the bolts as outlined in specific Alert Service Bulletins (ASBs) (sections 1 and 2).
The directive, AD/BELL 222/21, imposes several obligations on the operators of the affected helicopters. Firstly, operators must ensure that the torque on the vertical fin attachment bolts is checked according to the procedures outlined in Part I of ASB 222-98-82 Revision A or 222U-98-53 Revision A, as applicable (section 1). Secondly, the fin must be inspected and reattached following the instructions in Part II of the respective ASBs (section 2). Lastly, operators are required to verify the correct torque of the attachment bolts in accordance with Part III, Special Inspections, of the specified ASBs (section 3). These obligations must be fulfilled within specific timeframes, with some actions required within 25 hours of service after 16 September 1998 and others before the next scheduled 150-hour inspection but no later than 31 December 1998 (Compliance section).
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive AD/BELL 222/21 may result in significant consequences. Although the specific penalties and consequences are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to enforcement actions by CASA, including fines, operational restrictions, or even grounding of the aircraft. The directive references Transport Canada AD CF-98-21, indicating a cross-jurisdictional concern regarding the issue of loose vertical fin attachment bolts. The potential civil or criminal consequences underscore the importance of strict adherence to the specified requirements to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the helicopters in operation.