COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Eurocopter BK 117 Series Helicopters
AD/GBK 117/1
Amdt 1
Tail Rotor Blade Bonding 2/94
Applicability: All models fitted with tail rotor blades P/n 117-31742 serial numbers 63 to 82. Requirement: Action in accordance with Japan Civil Aviation Bureau AD TCD 2589-2-90. Compliance: For Tail Rotor Blades with:
- less than five hours time in service prior to 23 July 1990, replace prior to further flight, and
2. more than five hours time in service prior to 23 July 1990, inspect prior to each flight in accordance with the Requirement Document.
3. this amendment is effective 3 February 1994.
Note: The previous effective date of this Directive was 24 August 1987.
Background: Some blades may have had inadequate bonding. Amendment 1 is to reflect the latest issue of the requirement document.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, are intended to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations, as amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B10256, addresses the issue of airworthiness directives for various aircraft, including the Eurocopter BK 117 Series Helicopters. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the identified safety concerns regarding the bonding of tail rotor blades in certain models of the Eurocopter BK 117 Series Helicopters. The policy objective is to mitigate potential risks associated with inadequate bonding by mandating specific actions for compliance. This directive aims to ensure that all affected helicopters meet the necessary safety standards to prevent any potential hazards during flight operations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Eurocopter BK 117 Series helicopters that are fitted with tail rotor blades with part number 117-31742 and serial numbers ranging from 63 to 82. This regulation mandates compliance with the Airworthiness Directive issued by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, AD TCD 2589-2-90, concerning tail rotor blade bonding. The directive requires that helicopters with less than five hours of service time before 23 July 1990 replace the tail rotor blades before any further flight, while those with more than five hours of service time before that date must undergo an inspection prior to each flight as per the specified requirements. This directive was initially effective from 24 August 1987 and was later amended on 3 February 1994 to reflect the most current requirements. The scope of this legislation is limited to the specified models and serial numbers of the Eurocopter BK 117 Series helicopters and does not extend to other aircraft or components.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, includes the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which governs the maintenance and operation of various aircraft types. For the Eurocopter BK 117 Series Helicopters, Airworthiness Directive (AD) GBK 117/1 Amendment 1 focuses on the bonding of tail rotor blades. Specifically, it applies to all models equipped with tail rotor blades manufactured under part number 117-31742, with serial numbers ranging from 63 to 82 (sections 1 and 2). The directive mandates compliance with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau's AD TCD 2589-2-90. For blades with less than five hours of service prior to 23 July 1990, replacement is required before any further flight (section 2(a)). Blades with more than five hours of service prior to 23 July 1990 must be inspected before each flight, as specified in the Requirement Document (section 2(b)). This amendment became effective on 3 February 1994, superseding the previous effective date of 24 August 1987 (section 3).
The obligations imposed by AD GBK 117/1 Amendment 1 on the operators and maintainers of Eurocopter BK 117 Series Helicopters include conducting thorough inspections or replacements of tail rotor blades as required. Operators must ensure that any blade with less than five hours of service prior to 23 July 1990 is replaced before the helicopter is flown again. For blades with more than five hours of service prior to that date, a detailed inspection must be performed before every flight, adhering strictly to the guidelines set out in the Requirement Document. These inspections and replacements are critical to maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the helicopters, ensuring that all potential issues with blade bonding are addressed promptly and effectively.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD GBK 117/1 Amendment 1 can lead to severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can impose civil penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, the maximum penalty for non-compliance with airworthiness directives can include fines up to $210,000 for corporations and $42,000 for individuals, alongside potential criminal charges. Additionally, non-compliance can result in the suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, leading to the grounding of the affected helicopters until the required actions are completed. These stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to the airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of all air operations.