COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bell Helicopter Textron 412 Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 412/26 Bogus Pressure Gauge Emergency
Floats P/N 212-073-905-1
4/90
DM
Applicability: All models.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Bell OSN-GEN-89-14.
Compliance: At the next inspection for Maintenance Release issue after 28 February 1990 or before the next charging of the emergency float reservoir, whichever is earlier.
Background: The aircraft manufacturer has had reported an incident where the subject pressure gauge exploded at only 2000 psig. The gauge was subsequently found to be bogus. Failure of the bogus gauge could severely injure maintenance personnel.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically addresses issues pertaining to the safety of civil aviation through various regulatory provisions. One such regulation, found within Part 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, pertains to Bell Helicopter Textron 412 Series Helicopters. This regulation, AD/BELL 412/26, was introduced to address a safety concern identified with the bogus pressure gauge emergency floats of the P/N 212-073-905-14/90DM. The problem it was designed to mitigate involved the reported explosion of such a gauge at a pressure significantly lower than its operational limits, which posed a severe risk of injury to maintenance personnel. The directive mandates compliance with Bell OSN-GEN-89-14 and requires corrective action at the next inspection for Maintenance Release issue after 28 February 1990, or before the next charging of the emergency float reservoir, whichever is earlier. This regulatory action underscores the commitment to ensuring the safety and reliability of aviation components and operations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to issue airworthiness directives that ensure the safe operation of aircraft. In this instance, the regulation AD/BELL 412/26 pertains to the Bell Helicopter Textron 412 series helicopters, requiring that the bogus pressure gauge emergency floats, part number 212-073-905-14/90DM, be addressed. The directive applies to all models of these helicopters and mandates that corrective action must be taken in accordance with Bell OSN-GEN-89-14. Compliance with this directive is required at the next inspection for a Maintenance Release issue after 28 February 1990 or before the next charging of the emergency float reservoir, whichever occurs first. This regulation underscores the necessity for stringent safety measures, as the manufacturer reported an incident where the pressure gauge in question exploded at only 2000 psig, subsequently found to be bogus. Failure of this gauge could potentially result in severe injury to maintenance personnel, thus necessitating immediate corrective action.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically address the airworthiness directives for various aircraft, including the Bell Helicopter Textron 412 Series Helicopters. In this instance, AD/BELL 412/26 pertains to the bogus pressure gauge emergency floats, specifically Part Number 212-073-905-14/90DM. The requirement, as outlined in Bell OSN-GEN-89-14, mandates that all models of the Bell Helicopter Textron 412 Series must be actioned accordingly. This action must be carried out at the next inspection for Maintenance Release, which should occur after 28 February 1990, or before the next charging of the emergency float reservoir, whichever is earlier. The directive aims to ensure the safety of maintenance personnel by addressing a critical issue related to the integrity of the pressure gauge.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and straightforward. Operators and maintenance personnel must ensure that the bogus pressure gauge emergency floats are replaced or verified as per the manufacturer's specified guidelines. This requirement underscores the importance of adhering to the manufacturer's operational standards to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. Failure to comply with these directives can lead to significant safety risks, as evidenced by the incident where the pressure gauge exploded at only 2000 psig. Consequently, the directive mandates that all necessary actions be taken without delay to prevent potential injuries.
Breaching the provisions of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in serious consequences. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The potential outcomes include fines, penalties, and even criminal charges in severe cases. The exact penalties depend on the nature and severity of the breach but can be substantial. For instance, if a breach leads to a safety incident, the penalties could include hefty fines and imprisonment for individuals found responsible. It is imperative for all stakeholders to understand and adhere to these regulations to avoid such severe repercussions.