AD/BELL 222/3 - Tail Boom - Inspection and Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), include Part 39 - 105 which outlines the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically targeting the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 Series Helicopters. This legislative instrument was enacted to address the identified safety issues related to skin cracks in the tail boom of certain Bell 222 Series helicopters. The objective of this directive is to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating regular inspections and necessary modifications. Compliance with this directive is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of the specified helicopter models and preventing potential safety hazards. The directive applies to all model 222U helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 47501 to 47532 and 47534 to 47536, as well as all model 222B helicopters with serial numbers from 47131 to 47143. Operators are required to adhere to Bell Alert Service Bulletins No. 222U-85-3 and 222-85-28 for models 222U and 222B respectively, conducting inspections within 10 hours of time in service after 3 May 1985 and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 25 hours. This proactive approach aims to mitigate the risk of structural failure due to the previously reported tail boom skin cracks.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to specific models of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 Series Helicopters, namely the 222U and 222B models, with particular serial numbers specified within the legislation. The directive mandates inspections and modifications to the tail boom area to ensure safety, following identified cases of skin cracks in this critical area. This directive is applicable to any helicopter owners, operators, or maintenance providers within Australia, given the national jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Regulations. The requirement is clear: an inspection must be conducted within 10 hours of time in service following 3 May 1985, and subsequent inspections must not exceed intervals of 25 hours time in service. Additionally, the specified models must be modified according to the outlined Bell Alert Service Bulletins. The legislation also stipulates that compliance with Parts II or III of the requirement document terminates the need for further action under this directive.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes a directive concerning the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 Series Helicopters. This directive, AD/BELL 222/3, pertains to the inspection and modification of the tail boom for certain models of Bell helicopters. The directive applies to all model 222U helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 47501 to 47532 and 47534 to 47536, as well as all model 222B helicopters with serial numbers from 47131 to 47143 (section 6/85TX). The directive references specific Bell Alert Service Bulletins: No. 222U-85-3 for model 222U helicopters and No. 222-85-28 for model 222B helicopters. The primary requirement outlined in this directive is that the specified helicopters must undergo an inspection within 10 hours of time in service after 3 May 1985. This inspection must be repeated at intervals not exceeding 25 hours of time in service thereafter. Additionally, any identified issues must be rectified by modifying the tail boom in accordance with Part III of the applicable requirement document. It is noteworthy that the completion of either Part II or Part III of the applicable requirement document is considered as fulfilling the termination action for the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive. The obligations imposed by this directive require operators of the specified Bell helicopters to ensure that the required inspections and modifications are performed within the stipulated timeframes. Failure to adhere to these requirements could result in the aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, which would prohibit its operation until the necessary compliance actions are completed. The directive is motivated by the reported cases of skin cracks in the tail boom of the helicopters, including an instance where the skin cracks extended through the upper flange of one supporting longeron. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 also establish potential consequences for non-compliance with the Airworthiness Directive. While specific penalties are not detailed within the text of the directive itself, non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Such actions may include fines, enforcement notices, or other administrative penalties. In severe cases, the non-compliance could result in criminal charges, with potential penalties including imprisonment, particularly if the non-compliance is deemed to have endangered the safety of an aircraft or its occupants. Therefore, operators are strongly encouraged to adhere strictly to the requirements outlined in the directive to avoid these potential consequences.