AD/BELL 412/17 - AM-SAFE Harness Buckle Assemblies

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended through the legislative instrument F2006B04651, were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation operations in Australia. This particular regulation was introduced to address a safety concern with Bell Helicopter Textron 412 Series Helicopters, specifically related to the AM-SAFE Harness Buckle Assemblies. The problem identified was that a connector could potentially become dislodged from the buckle under side load, which could compromise passenger safety. This directive, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandates that all affected helicopters, with serial numbers between 33001 and 33134, must comply with the requirements set out in Bell Alert SB 412-87-28. The policy objective is to ensure that these safety measures are implemented either prior to the next maintenance release after 9 April 1987 or within 100 hours of time in service after that date, whichever is later, to mitigate the identified risk.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, applies to all Bell Helicopter Textron 412 Series helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 33001 to 33134 that are equipped with certain passenger and litter seats, as well as VFR certification components. The regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and have a national jurisdictional reach. The primary requirement of this legislation is for operators to take action in accordance with Bell Alert SB 412-87-28. This action must be taken either before the next Maintenance Release is issued after 9 April 1987, or within 100 hours of time in service after 9 April 1987, whichever is later. The directive addresses a specific safety concern regarding the potential dislodging of connectors from the buckle assembly if a side load is applied, thus ensuring compliance with AD/RES/19. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within this directive, and its scope is limited to the specified serial number range and components.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, section 105, contains a directive regarding the airworthiness of Bell Helicopter Textron 412 Series Helicopters (4/87). This directive, AD/BELL 412/17, pertains to the AM-SAFE Harness Buckle Assemblies for models 412 with serial numbers ranging from 33001 to 33134 that are equipped with certain passenger seat, litter, and certification parts. The action required under this directive is to adhere to Bell Alert SB 412-87-28. Compliance with this directive must be achieved before the issuance of the next Maintenance Release after 9 April 1987 or within 100 hours of time in service after that date, whichever is later. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear: operators and maintainers of the specified Bell 412 helicopters must ensure that the AM-SAFE Harness Buckle Assemblies meet the requirements set out in Bell Alert SB 412-87-28. This includes inspecting and, if necessary, repairing or replacing the buckle assemblies to prevent any potential dislodgement of the connector due to side loads. The directive mandates that these actions be taken promptly and before the stipulated deadlines, ensuring that the aircraft remain airworthy and safe for operation. Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/BELL 412/17 could result in serious safety issues, as the directive addresses a critical potential hazard. Although the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance in this specific section, general provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 apply. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in severe civil and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance on aviation safety. The specific maximum penalties would be determined by the courts based on the circumstances of the breach.