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 12/8
Amdt 3
Main Rotor Blade Fork 10/86 TX
Applicability: All aircraft fitted with Main Rotor Blade Fork. P/N 52110-3
Requirement: 1. Inspect all installed forks P/N 52110-3 to verify that each has a manufacturer’s serial number permanently displayed on its outer surface. Remove from service forks found not to be serialized.
2. Visually inspect the P/N 52110-3 forks for cracks in the area of the outboard tension-torsion bar retention bolt hole. Washers and nuts need not be removed for this inspection.
Note: This inspection may be accomplished by the pilot in command, in which case the precise AD reference shall be entered in a certification made on the maintenance release coincident with that for the daily inspection.
3. Remove the nut, washer and bolt and inspect the bolt hole bore and adjacent milled surfaces using a dye penetrant technique in accordance with ANO 108.10.
Compliance: Requirement 1. Within 10 hours’ time in service after 15 September 1986.
Requirement 2. At each daily or overnight inspection.
Requirement 3. Within 10 hours’ time in service after 15 September 1986 or before achieving 250 hours component time in service, whichever is the later; and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours component time in service.
Note: Inspections performed in accordance with the previous issues of this Directive satisfy the requirements of this issue.
Background: This Directive implements the requirements of FAA AD 86-17-02 which supersedes FAA AD 79-18-04. Amendment 3 to the Directive extends the dye penetrant inspection to forks of all serial numbers following a fatal accident in the USA which involved failure of a shot peened fork.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, form a crucial part of the regulatory framework governing civil aviation in Australia. This legislation addresses the need to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft within Australian airspace. Among its various provisions, Part 39 specifically targets Airworthiness Directives, which are regulatory measures designed to mandate safety improvements in aircraft design, manufacture, and maintenance. The 1998 Regulations include the Hiller UH-12 Series Helicopters AD/HILLER 12/8 Amendment 3, which was introduced to mitigate the risk of catastrophic failures in the main rotor blade fork, P/N 52110-3, following a fatal accident in the United States. The policy objective of this directive is to enhance the safety of helicopter operations by mandating rigorous inspections and maintenance procedures for identified components.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105 and the Airworthiness Directive AD/HILLER 12/8 Amendment 3, pertains to all aircraft fitted with the Main Rotor Blade Fork Part Number 52110-3. This legislation applies to the aviation industry and concerns the safety of the Hiller UH-12 Series helicopters, ensuring that all specified maintenance checks are performed to mitigate the risk of structural failure. The directive is applicable nationally, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and aligns with Federal Aviation Administration standards to ensure uniformity in aviation safety practices across jurisdictions. The AD mandates inspections of the specified forks for serial numbers and cracks, with specific timelines for compliance, including immediate removal from service for unserialised forks. Additionally, it includes a detailed inspection protocol using dye penetrant techniques for the bolt hole bore and adjacent milled surfaces, ensuring thorough safety checks. This legislation does not specify exclusions or exemptions but requires adherence to the outlined procedures to maintain airworthiness standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, outline several requirements for the Hiller UH-12 Series Helicopters, primarily focusing on the maintenance and inspection of the Main Rotor Blade Fork (P/N 52110-3). Section 10/86 TX details these requirements, which include mandatory inspections and verifications to ensure safety and compliance with regulatory standards. Requirement 1 mandates that all installed forks P/N 52110-3 must have a manufacturer's serial number permanently displayed on their outer surfaces. If a fork is found not to be serialized, it must be removed from service. Requirement 2 requires a visual inspection of these forks, specifically checking for any cracks in the area of the outboard tension-torsion bar retention bolt hole, without needing to remove washers or nuts for this inspection. Requirement 3 involves removing the nut, washer, and bolt, then inspecting the bolt hole bore and adjacent milled surfaces using a dye penetrant technique in accordance with ANO 108.10.
The Civil Aviation Regulations impose specific obligations on the operators and maintainers of the Hiller UH-12 Series Helicopters. Operators and maintainers must ensure that all inspections are performed as specified. This includes the initial inspection within 10 hours of service after 15 September 1986, daily or overnight inspections as stipulated, and further inspections within 10 hours of service after the same date or before achieving 250 hours of component time in service, whichever is later. It is also stipulated that inspections conducted in accordance with previous versions of the directive will satisfy the current requirements. These obligations ensure that the helicopters remain airworthy and comply with safety standards.
Breach of the requirements outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations may result in civil or criminal consequences. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, breaches of aviation safety regulations typically carry significant penalties. These may include fines, enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and potential criminal charges if the breach leads to an aviation accident or incident. The seriousness of non-compliance underscores the importance of adhering to these directives to ensure the safety of aircraft operations.