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 412/9
Amdt 1
Main Rotor Blade Pitch Horns - Inspection 2/85
Applicability: All models fitted with main rotor pitch horn P/N 412-010-149-105 and pins P/N 412- 010-180-101.
Document: Bell Alert Service Bulletin 412-83-13.
Compliance: Part 1 - At the next 20 hour inspection after 12 September 1983 and each 20 hour inspection thereafter.
Part 2 - Each time the pitch horn is removed.
Background: The manufacturer has introduced a new horn configuration with improved corrosion protection. This directive has been amended to limit the requirement for repetitive inspections to aircraft fitted with the older design pitch horns and pins. Bell Alert SB No. 412-84-18 refers.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), are a comprehensive set of rules that govern the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. Part 39 - 105 of these regulations includes specific airworthiness directives aimed at maintaining the safety standards of various aircraft models. One such directive, AD/BELL 412/9, addresses the inspection of main rotor blade pitch horns on Bell Helicopter Textron 412 Series helicopters, particularly those fitted with older design pitch horns and pins. This directive was introduced to address potential corrosion issues identified in earlier configurations of the main rotor blade pitch horns. The policy objective behind this directive is to ensure that inspections are performed at regular intervals, specifically at the next 20-hour inspection after the directive was issued and subsequently at each 20-hour inspection, as well as each time the pitch horn is removed. This approach aims to enhance the safety and reliability of helicopter operations by mitigating risks associated with corrosion in critical components.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the airworthiness directives concerning Bell Helicopter Textron 412 Series Helicopters, particularly focusing on the main rotor blade pitch horns. This legislation applies to all models of the Bell Helicopter Textron 412 Series that are fitted with main rotor pitch horn P/N 412-010-149-105 and pins P/N 412-010-180-101. The directive mandates compliance with Bell Alert Service Bulletin 412-83-13, requiring specific inspections at the next 20-hour inspection after 12 September 1983 and at each subsequent 20-hour inspection, as well as each time the pitch horn is removed. This is due to the manufacturer's introduction of a new horn configuration designed to enhance corrosion protection. The directive has been amended to ensure that repetitive inspections are limited to aircraft equipped with the older design pitch horns and pins, reflecting an effort to streamline maintenance requirements while maintaining safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives for various aircraft, with AD/BELL 412/9 Amendment 1 detailing requirements for Bell Helicopter Textron 412 Series Helicopters. The directive, as outlined in section (2/85), mandates inspections of the main rotor blade pitch horns for all models equipped with main rotor pitch horn part number 412-010-149-105 and pins part number 412-010-180-101. This requirement is documented in Bell Alert Service Bulletin 412-83-13 and pertains to both new installations and ongoing maintenance.
The directive imposes specific obligations on the operators and maintainers of these helicopters. Under Part 1 of the directive, the main rotor blade pitch horns must be inspected at the next 20-hour inspection following 12 September 1983, and then at each subsequent 20-hour inspection. Part 2 of the directive stipulates that an inspection is also necessary each time the pitch horn is removed, regardless of the time elapsed since the last inspection. These inspections are critical to ensure the integrity and safety of the helicopter's main rotor system.
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in serious safety risks, and the regulations do not shy away from imposing penalties for non-compliance. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the excerpt, breaches of airworthiness directives can generally lead to severe civil or criminal consequences under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates of airworthiness, and potential criminal charges against responsible individuals, which can carry substantial fines and imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the court or regulatory authority.