AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BELL 407/20 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 407/20
Amdt 1
Tailboom Tail Rotor Gearbox Support Casting
11/2002
Applicability: Model 407 helicopters, serial numbers 53000 through 53475; equipped with tailboom assemblies part number 407-030-801-105, -107, or 407-530-014-103, identified as serial numbers 53390 through 53440, 53449, BP921, BP1014, and subcomponent tail rotor gearbox support casting part number 406-030-121-105, identified as serial numbers 980867/01-2, -3, -4, -5, -8, -9, -10.
Requirement: 1. Determine if the affected part is installed on the applicable aircraft by conducting Part I of Alert Service Bulletin 407-02-53, dated 5 June 2002.
2. If an affected casting is identified by Requirement 1, perform an inspection of the casting for cracks in accordance with Part II of Alert Service Bulletin 407-02-53; and, if a crack is found, replace the tailboom before further flight.
3. Remove the tailboom from service until the affected tail rotor gearbox support casting is replaced.
Note: Transport Canada AD CF-2002-32R1 refers.
Compliance: 1. Within 10 hours time in service or 7 days after 7 August 2002, whichever occurs first.
2. Before further flight. Thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours time in service.
3. Before 1 October 2002.
The compliance times remain unchanged by this issue. This Amendment becomes effective on 31 October 2002.
Background: Transport Canada received a report of a cracked tail rotor gearbox support casting that is part of the tailboom assembly. Investigation revealed the crack originated from a weld repair made during fabrication of the part.
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 407/20 Amdt 1 (Continued)
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the related Transport Canada AD which corrects the issue date of the Requirement document.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 9 October 2002.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 12 September 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 October 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BELL 407/20 to address safety concerns identified in certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series Helicopters. This AD was enacted to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft by requiring specific actions in response to reports of cracked tail rotor gearbox support castings. The directive applies to model 407 helicopters within certain serial number ranges equipped with specific tailboom assemblies and subcomponents. CASA issued this directive under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 to mandate inspections, replacements, and service removals to mitigate the identified unsafe condition. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by addressing structural integrity issues in the specified aircraft components.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series Helicopters, more precisely those with serial numbers ranging from 53000 to 53475. The AD mandates specific actions to address an unsafe condition related to the tailboom assemblies and the tail rotor gearbox support casting. It applies to certain part numbers and serial numbers of the tailboom assemblies and castings, thereby targeting a specific subset of aircraft within the broader category of Bell 407 Series Helicopters. The directive sets out requirements for determining if the affected parts are installed on the aircraft, conducting inspections for cracks, and replacing or removing the tailboom from service if necessary. The compliance timeframes are clearly defined, with actions required within a specified period after the AD's issue date or before a certain future date. This AD amends a previous directive and is applicable throughout the Commonwealth of Australia, as it is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. The directive does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, thus it applies to all relevant aircraft within its defined scope.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BELL 407/20 Amdt 1 (sections 1-5) specifies actions to be taken on certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series Helicopters to correct an unsafe condition. The directive applies to Model 407 helicopters with specific serial numbers and tailboom assemblies part numbers, as outlined in the applicability section (section 2). The requirement section (section 3) mandates conducting a check for affected parts, inspecting for cracks, and replacing the tailboom if a crack is found. It also requires removing the tailboom from service until the affected casting is replaced. Compliance with these actions must be achieved within certain timeframes, as detailed in the compliance section (section 4).
The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and specific. Operators of the affected helicopters must conduct checks and inspections as per the requirements outlined in the directive, and take corrective action if necessary. This includes verifying the presence of the affected parts, inspecting for cracks, and replacing or removing the tailboom from service in accordance with the specified timeframes (section 3). The directive further specifies that compliance must occur within 10 hours of time in service or 7 days after 7 August 2002, whichever is earlier, and before further flight thereafter at intervals not exceeding 25 hours of time in service (section 4). By 1 October 2002, the affected tailboom must be removed from service.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in serious consequences. Non-compliance could lead to the continued operation of an unsafe aircraft, which poses significant risks to flight safety. The AD does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, but failure to adhere to such safety directives typically results in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include fines, penalties, or other regulatory measures that could lead to grounding of the affected aircraft until compliance is achieved. The exact penalties would depend on the specific circumstances of non-compliance and the determination of CASA (section 4).