COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Hiller UH-12 Series Helicopters
AD/HILLER 12/22
Amdt 3
Main Rotor Hub 7/97
Applicability: All models Hiller UH-12 series helicopters with main rotor hubs Part Number 51437, 51437-6, 51437-7, 51437-8, 51437-9, 51437-11, 51437-901 and 51437-11-911 fitted.
Note: Part number 51437-11-911 had been incorrectly listed as 51437-11-011 in the previous amendment.
Requirement: Inspect the inside of the main rotor hub in the area opposite the control rotor trunnion attachments for cracks, using a dye penetrant technique.
Note: FAA AD 73-20-03 refers.
Compliance: Inspect before 50 hours’ time in service since last inspected in accordance with a previous amendment of this directive or before 5 hours’ time in service after 19 June 1997, whichever occurs later. Thereafter, inspect at intervals not exceeding 50 hours’ time in service.
This amendment becomes effective on 19 June 1997.
Background: This amendment removes the need for fluorescent dye penetrant inspection which was introduced by the previous amendment. Further information supplied to the authority has indicated that colour contrast dye penetrant will continue to provide adequate detection of cracks in the main rotor hub.
Amendment ‘A’ added additional part number hubs to the initial issue of this directive. The description of the required inspection was simplified and a note referring to the FAA AD 73-20-03 was added.
Amendment 2 of this airworthiness directive became effective on 24 April 1997. Apart from requiring use of fluorescent penetrant inspection a part number error in the applicability was corrected.
Amendment A of this airworthiness directive became effective on 30 September 1980.
The original issue of this airworthiness directive became effective on 29 August 1975.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, establish comprehensive regulations to ensure the safety of civil aviation within the country. This legislation aims to address various aspects of airworthiness, including the issuance of airworthiness directives to maintain the safety of aircraft. PART 39 - 105, specifically, focuses on the scheduling of airworthiness directives, which are legally binding instructions issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to correct an unsafe condition of an aircraft. The policy objective of these regulations is to ensure that aircraft remain in a condition that is safe for operation, thereby protecting the public and promoting efficient and safe air navigation. The directive in question, AD/HILLER 12/22 Amendment 3, pertains to the inspection of main rotor hubs on Hiller UH-12 series helicopters, highlighting CASA's commitment to addressing specific safety concerns through detailed and enforceable measures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which pertains to Hiller UH-12 series helicopters. This legislation applies to all models within the Hiller UH-12 series equipped with specific main rotor hub part numbers. The directive mandates that operators and owners of these helicopters must inspect the inside of the main rotor hub in the area opposite the control rotor trunnion attachments for cracks using a dye penetrant technique. This inspection must occur before 50 hours of time in service since the last inspection or before 5 hours of time in service after 19 June 1997, whichever is later, and then at intervals not exceeding 50 hours’ time in service thereafter. The directive, which became effective on 19 June 1997, removes the need for fluorescent dye penetrant inspection introduced by a previous amendment, instead recommending the use of colour contrast dye penetrant for adequate crack detection. This legislative instrument extends its reach across the Commonwealth, imposing safety standards and ensuring compliance through regular inspections.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address the safety of certain Hiller UH-12 series helicopters, detailing the requirements and procedures for maintaining their airworthiness through AD/HILLER 12/22 Amendment 3 (section 105). This amendment applies to all Hiller UH-12 series helicopters with specific main rotor hubs. The directive mandates an inspection of the inside of the main rotor hub in the area opposite the control rotor trunnion attachments for any cracks using a dye penetrant technique (section 105). It is imperative to conduct this inspection before 50 hours of time in service since the last inspection or before 5 hours of time in service after the directive's effective date of 19 June 1997, whichever is later, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service (section 105).
Compliance with this directive imposes specific obligations on the operators and maintainers of the Hiller UH-12 series helicopters. They must ensure that the inspections are performed meticulously and within the prescribed timeframes. This involves using the dye penetrant technique to detect any potential cracks in the specified area of the main rotor hub, thereby maintaining the integrity and safety of the aircraft. The requirement to correct a previous part number error in the directive ensures that the correct components are inspected, avoiding any oversight that might compromise safety.
Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this airworthiness directive may result in significant legal and operational consequences. While the regulations do not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance in the provided text, the overarching framework of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 typically involve penalties that can include fines, operational restrictions, or even grounding of the non-compliant aircraft. Such stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to ensure the highest standards of safety in aviation operations.