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 222/8
Amdt 1
Emergency Flotation System and Squib Valve 5/87
Applicability: All model 222U Helicopters S/No 47501 to 47549 fitted with Emergency Flotation Kit P/No 222-706-093-117 or -123 and all model 222/222B Helicopters S/No 47008 to 47089 fitted with Emergency Flotation Kit P/N 222-706-093-115 or -121.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 222U-87-16 or 222-87-41.
Compliance: Within 500 hours time in service after 7 May 1987 or before 31 July 1987 whichever occurs first.
Note: Compliance with the previous issue of this Directive does not constitute compliance with this issue.
Background: The failure of an emergency flotation squib valve assembly has shown the possibility of a valve assembly failure during the pressure reservoir discharge. This Directive has been amended to conform with the latest Bell Alert Service Bulletin.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form a comprehensive framework governing civil aviation safety across the country. Within this regulatory structure, Part 39 focuses specifically on airworthiness directives, ensuring that aircraft meet stringent safety standards. The legislation aims to address potential safety risks by mandating compliance with specified directives to prevent accidents and enhance the safety of civil aviation. One such directive, AD/BELL 222/8 Amendment 1, pertains to the emergency flotation systems and squib valves of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 series helicopters, specifically addressing the risk of valve assembly failure during pressure reservoir discharge. This directive was introduced to ensure that all applicable helicopters meet the necessary safety requirements, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing overall aviation safety.
The policy objective behind these regulations is to maintain the highest standards of airworthiness and safety in civil aviation. By mandating compliance with specific directives, such as the amended Bell Alert Service Bulletin, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 ensure that aircraft are maintained and operated in a manner that minimises safety risks. This legislative instrument, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, reflects the Commonwealth's commitment to safeguarding the public and maintaining the integrity of the national airspace.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, with a particular focus on Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 Series Helicopters. This legislation applies to all model 222U Helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 47501 to 47549 that are equipped with the Emergency Flotation Kit Part Numbers 222-706-093-117 or -123, as well as all model 222/222B Helicopters with serial numbers from 47008 to 47089 fitted with the Emergency Flotation Kit Part Numbers 222-706-093-115 or -121. The regulation requires compliance with Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 222U-87-16 or 222-87-41, mandating actions to be taken within 500 hours of time in service after 7 May 1987 or before 31 July 1987, whichever is earlier. It is important to note that compliance with the previous issue of this directive does not satisfy the requirements of this current issue. This directive is a direct application of Australian Commonwealth law and is enforced nationwide.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR) Part 39 - 105, specifically the Airworthiness Directives for the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 222 Series Helicopters, detail the requirements for emergency flotation systems and squib valves (Section 105). The directive AD/BELL 222/8 Amendment 1 mandates that all model 222U helicopters with specific serial numbers and those fitted with particular Emergency Flotation Kit part numbers must adhere to the actions outlined in Bell Alert Service Bulletin No. 222U-87-16 or 222-87-41. Compliance with these requirements is necessary within a specific timeframe, either within 500 hours of time in service after 7 May 1987 or before 31 July 1987, whichever is earlier.
The obligations imposed by these regulations include ensuring that all specified helicopters are inspected and, if necessary, modified according to the latest service bulletins. This includes ensuring that the emergency flotation systems and squib valves are functioning correctly to prevent potential failures during critical operations. It is also crucial that operators and maintenance personnel are aware of these directives and have taken the necessary steps to ensure compliance.
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can lead to severe consequences. Firstly, non-compliance can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to grounding until the necessary actions are taken. Moreover, there are potential civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance, including fines and imprisonment. The specific penalties can vary depending on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the court, but they are intended to enforce strict adherence to aviation safety standards.
In summary, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 mandate that certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 222 Series Helicopters must adhere to specific airworthiness directives regarding their emergency flotation systems and squib valves. These requirements are designed to prevent potential failures and ensure the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. Non-compliance can lead to significant civil and criminal consequences, highlighting the importance of adhering to these regulations.