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 222/22 Flapping Bearing-to-Yoke Attachment Bolts 7/99
Applicability: Model 222, serial numbers 47006 through 47089; Model 222B, serial numbers 47131 through 47156; and Model 222U, serial numbers 47501 through 47574.
Requirement: Perform an initial inspection of the flapping bearing-to-yoke attachment bolts in accordance with Part I of BHTC Alert Service Bulletin 222-98-83 or 222U-98-54, as applicable; both bulletins dated 12 October 1998.
Replace bolts that show evidence of thread damage, shank wear, or corrosion.
Note: Transport Canada AD CF-99-12 refers.
Compliance: At the next scheduled 150-hour inspection after 15 July 1999, but not later than 31 December 1999; unless already accomplished.
Note: Repetitive inspections at 1,200 hour intervals will be included in a forthcoming revision to the Maintenance Manual.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 15 July 1999.
Background: Transport Canada received a report of a post-flight inspection finding that one of the four flapping bearing-to-yoke attachment bolts had fractured.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, are comprehensive regulations designed to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia. Part 39 - 105, concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, is a critical component of these regulations, addressing specific safety concerns and mandating corrective actions to mitigate risks. This particular legislative instrument, AD/BELL 222/22, pertains to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 Series Helicopters, targeting an issue identified with the flapping bearing-to-yoke attachment bolts. The directive was introduced to address a problem of potential fracture in these bolts, as reported by Transport Canada, ensuring that such safety concerns are promptly and effectively managed.
The policy objective behind this Airworthiness Directive is to enhance the safety of civil aviation by mandating inspections and replacements of defective flapping bearing-to-yoke attachment bolts in specified BHTC 222 Series Helicopters. This proactive approach ensures compliance with safety standards and reduces the risk of in-flight failures, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the public. The directive becomes effective on 15 July 1999, with inspections required at the next scheduled 150-hour inspection, but not later than 31 December 1999, unless already completed.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically targeting certain models and serial numbers of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 Series Helicopters. This directive applies to Model 222 helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 47006 to 47089, Model 222B helicopters with serial numbers from 47131 to 47156, and Model 222U helicopters with serial numbers from 47501 to 47574. The directive mandates an initial inspection of the flapping bearing-to-yoke attachment bolts, requiring replacement of any bolts exhibiting thread damage, shank wear, or corrosion, in accordance with BHTC Alert Service Bulletins 222-98-83 or 222U-98-54. Compliance with this directive must be achieved at the next scheduled 150-hour inspection following 15 July 1999 but not later than 31 December 1999, unless the inspection has already been completed. The directive is influenced by a similar action taken by Transport Canada, as referenced in their AD CF-99-12, and it becomes effective from 15 July 1999.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address the airworthiness of certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 series helicopters. The relevant section, AD/BELL 222/22, mandates that an initial inspection of the flapping bearing-to-yoke attachment bolts must be conducted for specified models and serial numbers (s. 39-105). This inspection must follow Part I of BHTC Alert Service Bulletin 222-98-83 or 222U-98-54, both dated 12 October 1998. If any bolts exhibit thread damage, shank wear, or corrosion, they must be replaced. The directive references Transport Canada AD CF-99-12 for context. Compliance with these requirements is necessary at the next scheduled 150-hour inspection after 15 July 1999, but no later than 31 December 1999, unless the inspection has already been performed. Future revisions to the Maintenance Manual will include repetitive inspections at 1,200-hour intervals.
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose several obligations on the parties governed by this legislation. Operators of the specified Bell Helicopter models must ensure that the initial inspection of the flapping bearing-to-yoke attachment bolts is carried out as per the specified bulletins. This involves visually and physically inspecting the bolts for any signs of damage, wear, or corrosion and replacing any defective bolts accordingly. The regulations also mandate that these inspections be documented and recorded in the aircraft's maintenance logs. Compliance must be achieved within the stipulated timeframes to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can lead to serious consequences. Non-compliance may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding and potential enforcement actions. The regulations do not specify particular civil or criminal penalties but imply that the safety standards set forth are critical, and deviations can result in severe repercussions, including potential fines and legal actions for non-compliance. The overarching objective is to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its occupants, and therefore, adherence to these directives is mandatory.