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 47/99 Tail Rotor Blade Skin Material 5/96
TX
Applicability: All models with tail rotor blade assembly P/N 047-642-117-105, S/Nos A-1943 to A-2068 inclusive, installed.
Requirement: Action in accordance with BHTI ASB 47-96-21.
Note 1. FAA AD 96-06-12 refers.
Note 2. Installation of approved tail rotor blades, other than those specified in the Applicability, terminates this Directive.
Note 3. Installation of tail rotor blades P/N 047-642-117-105M including those serial numbers specified in the Applicability terminates this Directive.
Compliance: Prior to further flight after 22 March 1996, thereafter at each Daily Inspection, or at intervals not exceeding 10 hours time in service, whichever occurs first.
Note: The Compliance of this Directive is at variance with that of the Requirement Document.
Background: The helicopter manufacturer has discovered that certain serial number tail rotor blades were skinned with the incorrect material. This may cause bond line separation and possible loss of the abrasion strip and/or blade tip block.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation is a comprehensive set of rules governing all aspects of civil aviation, including airworthiness, licensing, and operations. The specific legislative instrument F2006B04720 addresses the safety issue related to the tail rotor blade skin material of Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (All Variants) Series Helicopters, as identified by the Airworthiness Directive AD/BELL 47/99. The problem it addresses is the potential for bond line separation and loss of critical components due to the use of incorrect material in the tail rotor blades, which could compromise the safety of the aircraft. Compliance with this directive is mandated to ensure that affected helicopters are maintained with the correct blade material, thereby mitigating the risk of in-flight failures.
The Australian Parliament, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, established this directive to maintain high safety standards in civil aviation. The policy objective is to ensure that all aircraft meet stringent airworthiness criteria, which includes adherence to specific maintenance and operational procedures as outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. By requiring compliance with the directive, the Australian Government aims to prevent potential safety hazards associated with the identified defect, thereby protecting both the crew and passengers on board.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (all variants) series helicopters with tail rotor blade assemblies bearing the part number 047-642-117-105 and serial numbers ranging from A-1943 to A-2068 inclusive. This legislation mandates compliance with Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. Airworthiness Service Bulletin 47-96-21, which addresses the issue of tail rotor blade skin material. It is pertinent to note that the installation of approved tail rotor blades other than those specified in the applicability section, or those bearing the part number 047-642-117-105M, will terminate the directive. Compliance with this directive is required prior to further flight after 22 March 1996, or at each daily inspection, or at intervals not exceeding 10 hours of time in service, whichever occurs first. This requirement ensures that the specified helicopters maintain airworthiness and safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, address the safety of airworthiness directives pertinent to various aircraft, including the Bell Helicopter Textron 47 (all variants) series helicopters. The relevant directive, AD/BELL 47/99, pertains to the material used in the tail rotor blade skin of certain models (section 5/96TX). It applies to all models with a specific tail rotor blade assembly part number (P/N 047-642-117-105) and serial numbers from A-1943 to A-2068 inclusive. The directive requires compliance with the Bell Helicopter Technical Instruction ASB 47-96-21, which includes actions to be taken regarding the identified material issue.
Operators and maintenance personnel must adhere to this directive to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the helicopter. Compliance involves inspecting and potentially rectifying the tail rotor blade skin material before further flight after 22 March 1996. This inspection should occur at each daily inspection or at intervals not exceeding 10 hours of time in service, whichever comes first. This requirement is somewhat distinct from the specifics outlined in the referenced technical instruction, which should be consulted for detailed compliance procedures.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/BELL 47/99 can lead to serious safety risks, including potential bond line separation and loss of the abrasion strip and/or blade tip block. Such non-compliance may result in operational restrictions or grounding of the affected helicopters. The regulations impose strict obligations on operators to ensure that the specified inspections and corrective actions are performed as required. Any breach of these obligations can have significant legal and safety implications.
Under the Civil Aviation Regulations, there are both civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment. The maximum penalties are determined by the severity of the breach and the specific regulations involved. It is crucial for operators and maintenance personnel to be fully aware of and comply with the requirements to avoid these serious consequences.