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 222/7 Fin Assembly Attachment 2/86 TX
Applicability: All Models 222, 222B and 222U with S/Nos referenced in Alert Service Bulletins 222-85-35 and 222U-85-10.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Bell Alert S.B. 222-85-35 and 222U-85-10. Compliance: Part 1: Within 10 hours time in service after 02 January 1986.
Part 2: Prior to 01 March 1986.
Background: Reports of loose bolts securing the vertical fin to the tailboom have been received.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended through legislative instrument F2006B04622, were enacted to address the issue of safety standards and compliance in civil aviation. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of the Regulations includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 Series Helicopters, identified as AD/BELL 222/7. This directive was introduced in response to reports of loose bolts securing the vertical fin to the tailboom, which posed a safety risk. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), the enacting body, aims to ensure compliance with safety standards by mandating corrective actions as outlined in Bell Alert Service Bulletins 222-85-35 and 222U-85-10. The primary policy objective is to mitigate risks associated with structural integrity and ensure the safe operation of the specified helicopter models.
The directive requires compliance in two parts: the first part mandates action within 10 hours of time in service after 2 January 1986, and the second part requires compliance prior to 1 March 1986. This timeframe is designed to ensure that all affected aircraft are inspected and any necessary repairs are promptly carried out to prevent potential accidents resulting from the identified issue.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates airworthiness directives that apply to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 Series helicopters, encompassing all models 222, 222B, and 222U with serial numbers referenced in Alert Service Bulletins 222-85-35 and 222U-85-10. This regulation is applicable nationwide, ensuring compliance across the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive requires compliance with Bell Alert Service Bulletins 222-85-35 and 222U-85-10, addressing the critical issue of loose bolts securing the vertical fin to the tailboom, which was reported following incidents involving the specified helicopter models. The compliance schedule mandates that Part 1 of the directive must be adhered to within 10 hours of the helicopter's time in service after 2 January 1986, while Part 2 must be completed prior to 1 March 1986. This stringent timeline underscores the urgency and importance of the safety measures outlined in the directive.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, pertain to the Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, particularly focusing on Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 Series Helicopters. Section AD/BELL 222/7 addresses the fin assembly attachment, particularly for models 222, 222B, and 222U with specific serial numbers as referenced in Alert Service Bulletins 222-85-35 and 222U-85-10. This directive requires compliance with these bulletins, mandating actions to ensure safety.
Under this legislation, the obligations imposed on the parties or entities governed by this Act are to ensure that the specified actions are carried out as per the Bell Alert Service Bulletins. This includes the requirement for compliance within a specific timeframe: Part 1 demands that the action be completed within 10 hours of time in service after 2 January 1986, while Part 2 necessitates completion before 1 March 1986. These obligations are designed to address reports of loose bolts securing the vertical fin to the tailboom, ensuring that this critical safety issue is resolved promptly.
Failure to comply with these directives can lead to various consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline potential offences and penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, it is known that breaches of such regulations can result in severe civil or criminal penalties, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance. The consequences may include fines, operational restrictions, or even criminal charges against responsible parties, reflecting the critical importance of adhering to safety standards in aviation.