AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BELL 407/9 Amdt 1 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 407/9
Amdt 2
Tailboom Skin 8/2002 DM
Applicability: Model 407 helicopters, serial numbers 53000 through 53475. Requirement: 1. For aircraft fitted with tailbooms P/N 407-030-801-101 and -105:
- Inspection:
(i). Unless modification of the tailboom in accordance with Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 407-01-48 dated 20 December 2001 has been accomplished, visually inspect the tailboom in accordance with Part I and Part II of BHTC ASB 407-99-26 Revision C, dated 15 January 2002.
(ii). For tailbooms modified in accordance with ASB 407-01-48, visually inspect the tailboom in accordance with Part IV and V of BHTC ASB 407-01-48.
b. Modification:
Modify the tailboom in accordance with BHTC ASB 407-101-48.
Create a new tailboom Historical Record sheet indicating time when ASB 407- 01-48 was embodied and assign a life limit of 5,000 hours.
2. For aircraft fitted with tailbooms P/N 407-030-801-107:
Create a new tailboom Historical Service Record sheet, assign a life limit of 5,000 hours, and inspect the tailboom in accordance with Part IV and Part V of BHTC ASB 407-01-48.
3. Life limit:
Tailbooms P/N 407-530-014-101, -103 and 407-030-801-107 are to be removed from service at 5,000 hours and replaced with a serviceable part.
If a crack is found on the tailboom skin as a result of Requirement 1 or 2 inspections, before further flight, replace the tailboom.
Note: Transport Canada AD CF-1999-17R2 refers.
Compliance: 1. a. (i). For Part I of ASB 407-99-26: Inspect before the first flight of each day
after 26 June 2000.
For Part II of ASB 407-99-26: Inspect within 50 hours time in service after 26 June 2002, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours time in service.
This Directive shall be entered on the Maintenance Release as maintenance required. The visual inspection required by Part I of ASB 407-99-26 may be performed by the Pilot in Command who has been trained to do the inspection by an appropriately qualified person, in which case, a copy of the Requirement document and this Directive are to be carried in the aircraft.
(ii). Within 150 hours time in service after 26 June 2002, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 150 hours time in service.
b. Within 600 hours time in service after 26 June 2002, but not later than 31 January 2003.
2. Inspect within 150 hours time in service after 26 June 2002, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 150 hours time in service.
3. With effect from 26 June 2002.
This Amendment becomes effective on 26 June 2002.
Background: There have been several reports of cracks to the tailboom skin on the left side of the horizontal stabiliser. The cracks were found by normal visual inspection. The inspections required by this directive are intended as an interim measure pending completion of a design change to the tailboom skin.
Amendment 1 limited the applicability to those helicopters equipped with certain part number tailbooms. BHTC recently introduced a new tailboom with a chemically milled skin which is not subject to the inspections required by this Directive.
Amendment 2 is issued in response to a revision of the related Transport Canada AD which introduces modifications to some of the existing tailbooms, a life limitation of 5,000 hours, and a new inspection interval of 150 hours.
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 1 November 2001.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 9 September 1999.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 19 June 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on. 26 June 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BELL 407/9 Amdt 2 in 2002 to address the issue of cracks in the tailboom skin of Bell 407 series helicopters, specifically those with serial numbers ranging from 53000 to 53475. This AD, issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, aims to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft by mandating specific inspections and modifications to the tailbooms. The policy objective is to mitigate safety risks associated with the identified structural deficiencies by providing clear and actionable directives for maintenance and operational personnel. The AD revokes the previous Amendment 1 and incorporates updated requirements based on revisions from Transport Canada, including a life limitation of 5,000 hours for certain tailboom parts and revised inspection intervals. This legislative instrument underscores CASA's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in the aviation sector.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/BELL 407/9 Amdt 2 pertains specifically to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series Helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 53000 to 53475, particularly those fitted with certain part numbers of tailbooms. This directive applies to the aircraft themselves and mandates specific actions to rectify identified unsafe conditions, specifically addressing the issue of cracks in the tailboom skin on the left side of the horizontal stabiliser. The directive is applicable to any individual or entity involved in the maintenance, operation, or oversight of these aircraft, ensuring adherence to the safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive outlines precise requirements for inspections and modifications, and it stipulates the life limit for certain tailboom components, which must be removed from service after 5,000 hours. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be documented on the Maintenance Release as maintenance required. This Airworthiness Directive has a national reach within the Commonwealth of Australia, extending its application to all relevant aircraft within the specified serial number range, regardless of their location or the entity operating them.
Key Provisions
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) pertains to Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series Helicopters, specifically those with serial numbers 53000 through 53475 (section 1). The AD mandates certain actions to address an identified unsafe condition in the tailboom skin of these helicopters. For aircraft equipped with tailbooms P/N 407-030-801-101 and -105, if no modification in accordance with BHTC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 407-01-48 has been done, a visual inspection must be performed as per Part I and Part II of BHTC ASB 407-99-26. If the tailboom has been modified in line with ASB 407-01-48, the inspection should follow Part IV and Part V of ASB 407-01-48 (section 2). Additionally, the tailboom must be modified in line with ASB 407-101-48, and a new tailboom Historical Record sheet must be created with a life limit of 5,000 hours. For aircraft with tailbooms P/N 407-030-801-107, a new tailboom Historical Service Record sheet must be created, the life limit set to 5,000 hours, and the inspection should be conducted in accordance with Part IV and Part V of ASB 407-01-48. Tailbooms P/N 407-530-014-101, -103, and 407-030-801-107 must be removed from service after 5,000 hours and replaced with a serviceable part. If a crack is detected during inspection, the tailboom must be replaced before further flight.
The AD imposes several obligations on the relevant parties, including the requirement to perform visual inspections of the tailboom skin as specified, create and maintain appropriate records, and replace the tailboom if a crack is found (section 2). For aircraft not modified in accordance with ASB 407-01-48, inspections must be carried out before the first flight of each day after 26 June 2000, and within 50 hours of time in service after 26 June 2002, with intervals not exceeding 50 hours. For modified aircraft, inspections must occur within 150 hours of time in service after 26 June 2002, with intervals not exceeding 150 hours. The AD also requires that the maintenance release document record the required maintenance and that the pilot in command, trained to perform these inspections, carry a copy of the requirement document and this directive in the aircraft.
Failure to comply with this AD can result in serious safety risks, as the identified issue with the tailboom skin could lead to structural failure of the helicopter. The AD itself does not specify any explicit penalties for non-compliance, but non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The specific penalties would be determined by CASA in accordance with the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and related regulations.