COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (All Variants) Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 47/58
Amdt 1
Drag Brace Clevis 11/67
Applicability: All model 47 series with wooden main rotor blades.
Requirement: 1. Remove drag brace clevises P/N 47-110-235-1 and inspect for cracking in the root of the first six threads from the fork end of the clevis before re-installation. The inspection is to be performed using a fluorescent magnetic particle technique such as Magnaglow or equivalent with residual longitudinal magnetisation.
2. Alternatively, replace existing clevises with -
(a) new parts,
(b) serviceable used parts that have either not been involved with main rotor damage or, if so, have been inspected in accordance with para. 1 above.
Compliance: 1. Before further flight following damage to the main rotor blades sustained through contact with foreign objects whilst rotating.
2. For parts inspected in accordance with paragraph 1 above, repeat the inspection at between 40 and 50 hours time in service following re-installation.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, address safety and operational standards within the aviation sector, aiming to mitigate risks associated with aircraft operations. A notable legislative instrument under this act is F2006B04689, which was introduced to address specific safety concerns associated with the Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (all variants) series helicopters. This instrument was enacted to ensure the airworthiness of these helicopters by mandating inspections and, where necessary, replacements of certain components. The problem it was designed to address includes the risk of cracking in the drag brace clevises, which could compromise the structural integrity of the helicopter and pose a significant safety risk during flight. The objective of this regulation is to ensure that all applicable helicopters comply with the specified inspection and replacement requirements, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this legislative instrument is part of a broader framework aimed at maintaining high standards of airworthiness and protecting the public from aviation-related hazards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically addresses the airworthiness directives for Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (All Variants) Series Helicopters, with a focus on AD/BELL 47/58 Amendment 1 concerning the drag brace clevis. This legislative instrument applies to all model 47 series helicopters with wooden main rotor blades, mandating that the drag brace clevises P/N 47-110-235-1 must be inspected for cracks in the root of the first six threads from the fork end of the clevis before re-installation. The inspection must be conducted using a fluorescent magnetic particle technique, such as Magnaglow or an equivalent method with residual longitudinal magnetisation. Alternatively, the clevises can be replaced with new parts or serviceable used parts that have not been involved with main rotor damage or, if they have, have been inspected according to the specified procedure. Compliance with these directives is required before further flight if the main rotor blades have sustained damage from contact with foreign objects while rotating, and for inspected parts, a repeat inspection must be performed between 40 and 50 hours of service following re-installation. The application of these regulations is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, covering all relevant aircraft within the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of this legislation, specifically AD/BELL 47/58 Amendment 1, focus on the maintenance and inspection requirements for the drag brace clevises of the Bell Helicopter Textron 47 series helicopters with wooden main rotor blades (section 11/67). The requirement under section 1 mandates that these clevises must be removed and inspected for cracks in the root of the first six threads from the fork end before reinstallation. This inspection should be performed using a fluorescent magnetic particle technique such as Magnaglow or an equivalent method with residual longitudinal magnetisation. Alternatively, section 2 provides that the existing clevises can be replaced with either new parts or serviceable used parts that have not been involved in main rotor damage or, if they have, must have been inspected according to the same procedures outlined in section 1.
The obligations imposed by this Act are quite specific. Operators of Bell Helicopter Textron 47 series helicopters with wooden main rotor blades must ensure that the drag brace clevises are either inspected or replaced as per the outlined requirements before further flight following any damage to the main rotor blades sustained through contact with foreign objects while rotating. Moreover, if the clevises are inspected in accordance with section 1, the inspection must be repeated at between 40 and 50 hours of time in service following their reinstallation.
In terms of consequences for non-compliance, although the text does not explicitly state penalties or specific offences, failure to adhere to these safety directives could result in significant civil or criminal liability. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives is a serious matter under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. Penalties can include substantial fines and, in severe cases, criminal charges for endangering the safety of an aircraft, with potential maximum penalties extending to imprisonment. These potential consequences underscore the importance of strict adherence to the directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.