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 407/18 Fuel Line 12/2001
Applicability: Bell 407 series helicopters, serial numbers 53000 through 53174.
Requirement: 1. Inspect the main fuel feed line, P/No 70-061V000V444A in accordance with BHTC Service Bulletin 407-01-42, Accomplishment Instructions PART 1. If the fuel feed line is found to be chafed replace before further flight.
2. Replace fuel cell standpipe, P/No 407-062-011-101 or 407-062-041-101, in accordance with BHTC Service Bulletin 407-01-42, Accomplishment Instructions PART 2
Note 1: Transport Canada AD CF-2001-30R1 refers.
Compliance: 1. Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive or by 31 January 2002 whichever occurs first.
2. Within 300 flight hours after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive or by 31 January 2002 whichever occurs first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 29 November 2001.
Background: Bell has advised that the main fuel feed line, located between the aft fuel boost pump and the top fuel cell fitting, may chafe on the fuel cell standpipe. If the fuel feed line chafed through either fuel leakage could occur, or air could enter the engine fuel supply line resulting in an engine flame out.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 22 October 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 7 November 2001.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework governing civil aviation safety in Australia. This legislation was introduced to address the need for a cohesive set of rules and standards to ensure the safety of all civil aviation operations within Australia. The CAR 1998 was enacted by the Australian Parliament and is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), with a policy objective to ensure the highest possible safety standards in civil aviation. The regulations cover various aspects of aviation, including the airworthiness of aircraft, licensing of personnel, and operational requirements. One of the specific tools used under the CAR 1998 is the Airworthiness Directive (AD), which is a regulatory requirement issued to address safety issues identified in aircraft or aeronautical products. The AD for the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series Helicopters, issued in 2001, is an example of how these regulations are applied to ensure the ongoing safety and airworthiness of specific aircraft models.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under Part 39 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 specifically applies to Bell 407 series helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 53000 to 53174. This legislation mandates certain actions to be taken concerning the fuel system of these aircraft to address safety concerns identified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive requires the inspection and, if necessary, the replacement of the main fuel feed line, as well as the replacement of the fuel cell standpipe, in accordance with detailed instructions provided by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) in their Service Bulletin 407-01-42. Compliance with these directives must be achieved within specified timeframes, either 50 or 300 flight hours after the directive's effective date, whichever comes first. This AD extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, as it is a regulation under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, thereby ensuring its national reach and applicability.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, establish the requirements for Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that aim to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. Specifically, section 39.1(1) empowers the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue ADs as necessary to address unsafe conditions. AD/BELL 407/18 pertains to Bell 407 series helicopters with serial numbers between 53000 and 53174, mandating particular inspections and actions to mitigate identified safety risks.
The AD requires operators of the specified Bell 407 series helicopters to inspect the main fuel feed line, part number 70-061V000V444A, to check for any signs of chafing. If the fuel line is found to be chafed, it must be replaced before any further flight. Additionally, the fuel cell standpipe, identified by part numbers 407-062-011-101 or 407-062-041-101, must be replaced as per the instructions provided in BHTC Service Bulletin 407-01-42, Accomplishment Instructions PART 2. These actions are critical to prevent potential fuel leakage or air ingress in the fuel supply line, which could lead to engine flame out.
Operators of the affected Bell 407 series helicopters must comply with the directive by conducting the necessary inspections and replacements within specified timeframes. The inspection and replacement of the fuel feed line must be completed within 50 flight hours after the AD’s effective date of 29 November 2001, or by 31 January 2002, whichever comes first. Similarly, the replacement of the fuel cell standpipe must occur within 300 flight hours after the AD’s effective date or by 31 January 2002, whichever is earlier. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in significant safety risks.
Failure to comply with the AD may lead to severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline potential civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with ADs. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself, non-compliance with CASA directives generally can result in substantial fines, enforcement actions, or even criminal charges. These could include imprisonment or heavy fines, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance on aviation safety. Operators must ensure strict adherence to the AD to avoid these adverse outcomes.