AD/ENST 28/17 - Wide Chord Tail Rotor Counterweights - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, constitute a comprehensive regulatory framework designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation, enacted by the Australian Parliament, provides the legal foundation for the operation of aircraft, including the regulation of airworthiness and the issuance of airworthiness directives, such as the one concerning the Enstrom F-28 Series Helicopters. The policy objective underpinning these regulations is to maintain a high standard of safety within the civil aviation sector, thereby protecting the public and promoting the efficient use of airspace. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as the regulatory body, plays a pivotal role in enforcing these standards and ensuring compliance through directives like AD/ENST 28/17, which addresses specific safety issues such as the modification of wide chord tail rotor counterweights in Enstrom F-28C and 280C models, to be completed within a specified timeframe after a certain date.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Enstrom F-28 Series Helicopters, namely models F-28C and 280C, which have specific serial numbers as detailed in the requirement document, Enstrom Service Directive Bulletin No. 0042. This regulation mandates compliance with the Airworthiness Directive AD/ENST 28/17, which concerns the modification of wide chord tail rotor counterweights. The directive is binding for the identified models and serial numbers, ensuring that the specified modifications are carried out within ten hours of time in service following 19 October 1977. The regulation is administered under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, thereby applying a national scope within Australia. There are no stated exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds in this directive, and the regulation extends to all relevant helicopters regardless of ownership or operation specifics, ensuring a consistent application across the industry.

Key Provisions

The primary operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically concerning the Enstrom F-28 Series Helicopters, are outlined in AD/ENST 28/17 (1). This directive mandates that owners or operators of Enstrom F-28C and 280C models with specific serial numbers, as detailed in Enstrom Service Directive Bulletin No. 0042, must modify the wide chord tail rotor counterweights. This requirement is applicable to ensure continued airworthiness and safety of the specified helicopter models. The modification must be completed within 10 hours of time in service after 19 October 1977, as stipulated in the directive. The obligations and requirements imposed by this Act on the parties or entities governed include ensuring that the specified Enstrom F-28C and 280C helicopters are inspected and modified according to the detailed specifications provided in Enstrom Service Directive Bulletin No. 0042. Owners or operators must maintain thorough records of the modification process and ensure compliance with the timeline specified. They must also ensure that the helicopters are kept in a condition that meets the airworthiness standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/ENST 28/17 (1) can result in serious civil or criminal consequences. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Such actions may include fines, penalties, or other regulatory measures. While the specific maximum penalties are not detailed in the referenced text, it is known that breaches of airworthiness regulations can result in significant financial penalties and potential grounding of the non-compliant aircraft. Additionally, operators may face legal liability for accidents or incidents resulting from non-compliance with these safety directives.