COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Eurocopter BO 105 Series Helicopters
AD/BO 105/9 Main Rotor Blade Grip Bolts 7/87
Applicability: All models not fitted with the optional main rotor blade folding system. Requirement: Action in accordance with MBB Telex Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB-BO 105-10-
101 dated 6 May 1987, as amended by Revision 1 dated 8 May 1987, except that
defective bolts found as a result of the inspection should be forwarded to the nearest Regional Office of the Department.
Compliance: As detailed in the Requirement Document.
Background: Fractures and cracks have been found in the fillet radius under the head of the smaller diameter bolt which attaches the main rotor blade to the grip. Faulty installation during manufacture is the suspected cause.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, has enacted the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. Part 39 of these regulations, specifically Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses safety concerns by issuing directives to mitigate identified risks. The directive AD/BO 105/9, which applies to Eurocopter BO 105 series helicopters not fitted with the optional main rotor blade folding system, was introduced to address the recurring issue of fractures and cracks in the main rotor blade grip bolt fillet radius. This problem, suspected to arise from faulty installation during manufacture, poses a significant safety risk, prompting the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to mandate specific actions as outlined in the directive. The objective is to ensure that all affected aircraft are inspected and maintained according to the specified requirements to prevent potential in-flight failures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, pertains to Airworthiness Directives that are crucial for ensuring the safety of civil aviation operations within Australia. This legislation applies to all Eurocopter BO 105 Series Helicopters that do not have the optional main rotor blade folding system. The primary focus of this directive is the inspection and potential replacement of main rotor blade grip bolts to prevent fractures and cracks that have been identified in the fillet radius under the head of the smaller diameter bolt. These defects, suspected to result from faulty installation during manufacture, necessitate compliance with the MBB Telex Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB-BO 105-10-101 dated 6 May 1987, as amended by Revision 1 dated 8 May 1987. Additionally, any defective bolts discovered during the inspection must be forwarded to the nearest Regional Office of the Department for further action. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, affecting all operators of the specified helicopter models within Australia, ensuring that safety standards are uniformly enforced across the country.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This particular directive, AD/BO 105/9, pertains to the Eurocopter BO 105 Series Helicopters and mandates action regarding the main rotor blade grip bolts. The directive applies to all models that are not equipped with the optional main rotor blade folding system (Section 1). The main requirement is that operators must comply with the MBB Telex Alert Service Bulletin No. ASB-BO 105-10-101 dated 6 May 1987, as amended by Revision 1 dated 8 May 1987. Operators are also required to forward any defective bolts discovered during the inspection to the nearest Regional Office of the Department.
The obligations imposed by this directive are quite specific. Operators must ensure that all inspections and subsequent actions are performed in accordance with the aforementioned bulletin. This includes following the detailed procedures outlined in the Requirement Document, which will guide them on how to correctly inspect the main rotor blade grip bolts and what steps to take if any defects are found (Section 2). Any identified defective bolts must be sent to the specified Department Regional Office for further evaluation and action. This directive aims to address safety concerns related to fractures and cracks found in the fillet radius under the head of the smaller diameter bolt, which attaches the main rotor blade to the grip. The suspected cause of these defects is faulty installation during manufacture.
Failure to comply with AD/BO 105/9 may result in serious consequences. Non-compliance could potentially lead to operational risks and safety hazards, given the critical role of the main rotor blade grip bolts in the helicopter's operation. CASA has the authority to enforce penalties for breaches of these regulations, which may include fines or other civil or criminal penalties. The exact penalties are not specified in the directive but would be determined based on the severity and nature of the breach under the broader Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. Ensuring compliance is essential to maintain the airworthiness and safety of the Eurocopter BO 105 Series Helicopters.