COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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 407/16 Fuel Filler Cap Electrical Bonding 12/2001
Applicability: Model 407 helicopters, serial numbers 53000 to 53479 inclusive.
Requirement: If not previously accomplished, incorporate BHTC Alert Service Bulletin 407-01-41 dated 23 May 2001.
Note: Transport Canada AD CF-2001-34 refers.
Compliance: Before 31 January 2002.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 29 November 2001.
Background: Transport Canada has advised that inadequate electrical bonding may exist between the retainer assembly part number (P/N) 206-062-304-101, fuel filler cap and adapter assembly P/N 206-362-002-103 and the fuel cell fitting which can cause arcing while refuelling as a result of a static discharge and potentially ignite the fuel vapour.
Compliance with this Directive will ensure the retainer assembly, fuel filler cap and adapter, and fuel cell fitting are electrically bonded.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 17 October 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 7 November 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B04629, form an integral part of Australia's aviation regulatory framework, specifically targeting the maintenance and safety of aircraft and aeronautical products. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this legislation aims to address safety concerns and gaps in aviation operations through the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). These ADs are designed to mandate corrective actions to mitigate identified safety risks. In this context, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) plays a pivotal role, acting as the delegate responsible for issuing such directives under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. The policy objective behind these regulations is to ensure that all aircraft and aeronautical products meet the required safety standards, thus protecting the public and enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation in Australia.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) under Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically Airworthiness Directive (AD) BELL 407/16, applies to Model 407 helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 53000 to 53479 inclusive. This directive mandates that if not already addressed, Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Alert Service Bulletin 407-01-41 dated 23 May 2001 must be implemented. The requirement is to ensure the incorporation of electrical bonding between the retainer assembly, fuel filler cap, adapter assembly, and the fuel cell fitting to prevent arcing during refuelling, which could result from static discharge and potentially ignite fuel vapour. The directive was issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998 and became effective on 29 November 2001, with compliance required before 31 January 2002. This directive is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 7 November 2001. The AD is intended to maintain airworthiness standards for the specified Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 Series helicopters, ensuring safety in aviation operations.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series Helicopters, specifically AD/BELL 407/16, focuses on the fuel filler cap electrical bonding issue (section 1). This AD applies to Model 407 helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 53000 to 53479 inclusive (section 2). The requirement outlined in the AD mandates that if not already addressed, the helicopters must incorporate the provisions of BHTC Alert Service Bulletin 407-01-41 dated 23 May 2001 (section 3). The directive references Transport Canada AD CF-2001-34 for additional context (section 4). Compliance with this directive must be achieved before 31 January 2002, with the directive becoming effective on 29 November 2001 (section 5).
The AD imposes specific obligations on the owners and operators of the affected helicopters. They must ensure that the identified electrical bonding issue is addressed by incorporating the specified service bulletin. This includes inspecting the retainer assembly part number (P/N) 206-062-304-101, fuel filler cap and adapter assembly P/N 206-362-002-103, and the fuel cell fitting to ensure they are electrically bonded. Failure to comply with the AD could lead to unsafe conditions, potentially causing arcing and igniting fuel vapours during refuelling. The AD also references Transport Canada's directive, indicating a coordinated effort to address the safety issue across jurisdictions.
The AD does not explicitly state offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance. However, failing to comply with an AD can have serious ramifications under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. Non-compliance may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to grounding of the helicopter. Furthermore, the operators could face enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including fines and potential legal proceedings. The specific penalties would be determined by CASA in the context of the non-compliance and its impact on aviation safety.