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 407/23 Swashplate Drive Link 13/2002
TX
Applicability: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 407 helicopters
Requirement: 1. Conduct an inspection of both cup washers Part Number (P/N) 406-010-412-101 for correct installation in accordance with Part I of BHTC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 407-02-55.
2. If one or both cup washers are installed upside down, replace the parts in accordance with Part II of ASB 407-02-55.
Note: Transport Canada CF-2002-46 refers.
Compliance: 1. Prior to further flight.
2. Prior to further flight.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 November 2002.
Background: This Directive has been raised in response to two incidents where the stud from one of the swashplate drive links had failed after recent maintenance. It is suspected that the cause of the stud failure was due to the incorrect installation of washer P/N 406- 010-412-101.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 8 November 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 November 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) is a comprehensive piece of Australian legislation aimed at ensuring the safety of civil aviation. One of the key components of this regulation is Part 39, which includes the Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). AD/BELL 407/23, issued on 11 November 2002, is an example of such directives addressing specific safety concerns. This particular directive pertains to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series Helicopters and focuses on the swashplate drive link, specifically the installation of cup washers Part Number (P/N) 406-010-412-101. The directive mandates an inspection of these washers and, if found incorrectly installed, requires their replacement to prevent potential stud failure, which was identified as an unsafe condition following two incidents. The directive was enacted by the delegate of CASA, James Coyne, to ensure compliance with safety standards and mitigate identified risks in the aviation sector.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) applies specifically to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 407 helicopters, targeting the swashplate drive link as identified in AD/BELL 407/23. The directive mandates an inspection of the cup washers Part Number (P/N) 406-010-412-101 to ensure they are correctly installed, as per Part I of BHTC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 407-02-55. If any of these washers are found to be installed upside down, they must be replaced according to Part II of ASB 407-02-55. The requirement necessitates these actions to be completed before further flight, ensuring the safety of the aircraft in accordance with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations. The directive was issued on 8 November 2002 and became effective on 11 November 2002, reflecting a response to incidents involving stud failures due to incorrect washer installation.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) include a detailed provision in Part 39, specifically under Section 105, which mandates Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products. In this context, AD/BELL 407/23 pertains to the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series Helicopters and focuses on the swashplate drive link. According to the AD, the requirement is to conduct an inspection of the cup washers, Part Number (P/N) 406-010-412-101, to ensure they are installed correctly in line with Part I of BHTC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 407-02-55.2. If the washers are found to be installed upside down, they must be replaced as per Part II of ASB 407-02-55. This directive aims to address the risk of stud failure which may arise from incorrect installation.
Operators of the Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 407 helicopters are required to adhere to this AD, which includes conducting a thorough inspection of the specified cup washers before further flights. This obligation ensures that any identified issues with the washer installation are rectified promptly, thereby mitigating the risk of failure and ensuring continued airworthiness. The directive mandates compliance prior to any subsequent flights, highlighting the urgency and importance of adhering to the specified safety measures.
Failure to comply with this Airworthiness Directive could result in significant consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself, non-compliance with regulations under CAR 1998 can generally lead to severe civil or criminal penalties. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft operating certificates, and potential criminal charges for operators who knowingly permit non-compliant aircraft to fly. The overarching aim is to enforce stringent safety standards and protect public safety by ensuring that all aircraft meet the necessary airworthiness criteria.