AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BELL 47/69 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 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 47 (All Variants) Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 47/69
Amdt 1
Tail Rotor Control Pedal Assembly Interference Bracket
10/2004
Applicability: All model 47G series.
Requirement: 1. Verify interference (stop) brackets P/N 47-622-165-1 are correctly installed under pilot’s and co-pilot’s inboard footrest. (See figure 1).
2. Correctly install interference (stop) brackets P/N 47-622-165-1 where these brackets are not installed, or incorrectly installed.
Note: The bracket prevents fitment of incorrectly assembled dual control tail rotor pedals.
Figure 1
Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (All Variants) Series Helicopters
AD/BELL 47/69 Amdt 1 (continued)
Compliance: For requirement 1, unless previously accomplished, within 10 flight hours after the effective date of this Directive and thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 12 months.
For requirement 2, before further flight.
This Amendment becomes effective on 30 September 2004.
Background: This AD was initially issued in October 1971 in response to a fatal accident, which was attributed to incorrectly installed dual tail rotor control pedals. The installation of interference (stop) brackets would have facilitated the correct installation of dual controls.
Amendment 1 was issued in response to recent field reports of missing brackets, and incorrectly installed dual tail rotor control pedals.
Neville Probert
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 19 August 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 September 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Airworthiness Directive AD/BELL 47/69 Amdt 1, issued on 19 August 2004 and effective from 30 September 2004, addresses an identified safety issue concerning the installation of interference (stop) brackets for the Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (All Variants) Series Helicopters, specifically the model 47G series. This legislative instrument was introduced to rectify the unsafe condition resulting from incorrectly installed dual tail rotor control pedals, a problem that was highlighted following a fatal accident in 1971. The directive mandates that the installation of interference (stop) brackets P/N 47-622-165-1 be verified and corrected if necessary to prevent the fitment of incorrectly assembled dual control tail rotor pedals, thus ensuring the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. The objective of this directive is to eliminate the risk of accidents due to improper installation of control pedals, thereby maintaining airworthiness standards as stipulated under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/BELL 47/69, specifically amended by AD/BELL 47/69 Amdt 1, applies to all variants of the Bell Helicopter Textron 47 series helicopters. This legislative instrument is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia. It mandates specific actions to ensure the safe operation of these aircraft by addressing an identified unsafe condition related to the installation of interference (stop) brackets P/N 47-622-165-1 under the pilot’s and co-pilot’s inboard footrests. The directive requires operators to verify the correct installation of these brackets and to correct any instances where they are missing or incorrectly installed before further flight. Compliance with this AD is necessary within 10 flight hours after the effective date of the directive and at intervals not exceeding 12 months thereafter. The directive’s geographic and jurisdictional reach is confined to the Commonwealth of Australia, and it extends to all entities operating the specified model of helicopter within this jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under this legislative instrument specifically applies to all Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (All Variants) Series Helicopters of the 47G model ((1)). The primary requirement outlined in the AD mandates that the installation of interference (stop) brackets P/N 47-622-165-1 be verified and corrected as necessary ((1)). This involves ensuring that these brackets are correctly installed under the pilot’s and co-pilot’s inboard footrest, as depicted in Figure 1, to prevent the fitment of incorrectly assembled dual control tail rotor pedals ((1)). The compliance timeline for these requirements varies: verification must be carried out within 10 flight hours after the effective date of the AD and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 12 months ((1)). However, any necessary corrections must be made before further flight ((1)). This AD was initially issued in response to a fatal accident in October 1971 and was subsequently amended in light of recent field reports in September 2004 ((1)).
The obligations imposed by this AD include the verification and, if necessary, the correction of the specified interference (stop) brackets in all applicable aircraft. Operators and owners of the affected helicopters are required to ensure that the brackets are correctly installed as per the directive’s specifications to maintain airworthiness and prevent unsafe conditions. This involves conducting checks within the stipulated intervals and performing immediate corrective actions if the brackets are missing or incorrectly installed. These obligations are necessary to mitigate the risk of accidents similar to those that have occurred in the past, thereby enhancing flight safety.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD can lead to significant consequences. While the legislative instrument does not explicitly detail the penalties for non-compliance, it is implied that such non-compliance could result in the grounding of the affected aircraft until the necessary corrections are made. Furthermore, ongoing non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which might include fines, revocation of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory sanctions. The severity of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the AD to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew.