AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BELL 407/14 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series helicopters
AD/BELL 407/14
Amdt 1
Horizontal Stabiliser Slat 10/2002 DM
Applicability: Model 407 helicopters, serial numbers 53000 to 53498 and 53500 to 53512.
Requirement: 1. Inspection - Helicopters serial number 53000 through 53498 and 53500 through
53503:
Until installation of the segmented slats, part number (P/N) 407-023-001-103, in accordance with BHTC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 407-02-52 is accomplished, perform a daily visual inspection of the slats in accordance with Part I of ASB 407-02-52, dated 20 March 2002.
2. New Slats Installation - Helicopters serial number 53000 through 53498:
Install segmented slats P/N 407-023-001-103 in accordance with Part II of ASB 407-02-52.
3. Slat Installation and Identification - Helicopters serial number 53500 through 53503 with the new factory installed slats:
Re- install and identify factory installed segmented slats P/N 407-023-001-103 in accordance with Part III of ASB 407-02-52.
4. Slat Installation and Identification - Helicopter serial number 53504 through 53512 with the new factory installed slats:
Install identification plates on existing factory installed segmented slats P/N 407- 023-001-103 in accordance with Part IV of ASB 407-02-52.
Note: Transport Canada AD CF-2000-09R1 refers.
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series helicopters
AD/BELL 407/14 Amdt 1 (continued)
Compliance: 1. At the next daily inspection after 7 August 2002, and thereafter at each daily inspection; until accomplishment of Requirement 2 or Requirement 3, as applicable.
2. Before 1 January 2003.
3. Before 1 January 2003.
4. Before 1 January 2003.
This Directive shall be entered on the Maintenance Release as maintenance required. The Requirement 1 daily visual inspection may be performed and certified by the Pilot in Command who has been trained to do the inspection by an appropriately qualified person. In this case, a copy of the Requirement document and this Directive is to be carried in the aircraft.
This amendment becomes effective on 7 August 2002.
Background: There has been an incident overseas where the horizontal stabiliser slat departed the aircraft. This directive is raised to ensure the security of the slat to prevent possible damage to one of the rotors which could lead to a loss of control of a helicopter. To correct the problem ASB 407-99-32 introduced segmented slat assemblies part number 407-023-001-101.
Amendment 1 is raised in response to the related Transport Canada AD, which mandates a visual inspection prior to modification action, in response to reports of the slat brackets cracking.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 18 May 2000.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 31 July 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 7 August 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) to address safety concerns associated with the horizontal stabiliser slats on Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series helicopters. The AD, AD/BELL 407/14 Amdt 1, was enacted on 7 August 2002 and aims to ensure the security of the horizontal stabiliser slats to prevent potential damage to the helicopter's rotors, which could result in a loss of control. The directive responds to an incident overseas where a slat departed the aircraft, as well as reports of slat bracket cracking. The policy objective of this AD is to mandate specific inspections and installations for the affected helicopters to maintain airworthiness and safety standards. The directive requires daily visual inspections, installation of new slats, and identification of existing slats for certain serial numbers, all before 1 January 2003, to correct the unsafe condition identified.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/BELL 407/14 Amdt 1 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 53000 to 53498 and 53500 to 53512. This directive pertains to the horizontal stabiliser slat and is issued to address an unsafe condition identified in certain helicopters. The directive mandates actions such as daily visual inspections of the slats, installation of new segmented slats, and identification of factory-installed slats. These requirements must be followed in accordance with the instructions provided in the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 407-02-52. The directive applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, as it is a federal regulation issued by CASA, and it becomes effective from 7 August 2002. The requirement for compliance must be met by the next daily inspection after this date and continues until the specified actions are completed. This AD is designed to ensure the safety of the aircraft by preventing potential damage to the rotors, which could result in loss of control.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive AD/BELL 407/14 Amdt 1, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), pertains specifically to certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series helicopters, identified by their serial numbers ranging from 53000 to 53498 and from 53500 to 53512. The directive mandates a series of actions to ensure the safe operation of these helicopters by addressing a specific issue related to the horizontal stabiliser slats.
In terms of its operative sections, the directive outlines specific requirements for inspection and modification of the slats. For helicopters with serial numbers between 53000 and 53498, a daily visual inspection of the slats is required until the installation of segmented slats part number 407-023-001-103 is completed, in line with the instructions provided in Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 407-02-52. This inspection must be performed in accordance with Part I of the bulletin. For helicopters serial numbered 53000 through 53498, the directive mandates the installation of the segmented slats part number 407-023-001-103, following the instructions in Part II of ASB 407-02-52. Furthermore, for helicopters with serial numbers between 53500 and 53503 that already have factory-installed slats, the directive requires the reinstallation and identification of the segmented slats part number 407-023-001-103, in accordance with Part III of the bulletin. Lastly, for helicopters with serial numbers between 53504 and 53512, the directive specifies the installation of identification plates on the existing factory-installed segmented slats part number 407-023-001-103, as outlined in Part IV of ASB 407-02-52.
The Airworthiness Directive imposes specific obligations on the operators and maintainers of the affected helicopters. These obligations include conducting a daily visual inspection of the slats for the specified serial numbers until the installation of the new slats is completed. Additionally, operators must ensure that the installation of the new slats or the reinstallation and identification of the existing slats are carried out according to the instructions in the referenced Alert Service Bulletin. The directive also requires that these actions be completed before 1 January 2003. It is permissible for the Pilot in Command, trained by a qualified individual, to perform and certify the daily visual inspections, provided that a copy of the requirement document and the Airworthiness Directive are carried on board the aircraft.
The directive imposes penalties and consequences for non-compliance. Failure to adhere to the requirements outlined in the Airworthiness Directive may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy. This could lead to serious safety risks, including potential loss of control of the helicopter, which could have catastrophic consequences. Operators and maintainers are thus legally obligated to ensure compliance with the directive to avoid any adverse safety outcomes. The directive is to be entered on the Maintenance Release as maintenance required, ensuring that these critical actions are prioritised and completed within the specified timeframe.