AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/HU 269/26 Amdt 15 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters
AD/HU 269/26
Amdt 16
Retirement Life - Critical Components 5/2003
Applicability: All models
Requirement: All components listed in the Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Basic Handbook of Maintenance Instructions (HMI) Appendix B, Table B-5, (re- issue dated 20 May 1993 and revised 25 January 2002), shall be retired on or before the times quoted therein.
Note: Operators of aircraft engaged in operations which involve unusual manoeuvres, such as agricultural, or cattle mustering, or operations where consistently more than four rotor full stop flights per hour are achieved, must consult the manufacturer giving full details including previous history of all operations for possible life revision and must advise the Authority accordingly. For the purposes of notification, two flights concluding with rotors turning while on the ground and the engine at idle or greater power setting shall be counted as equivalent to one flight with rotors at full stop.
Compliance: This Amendment becomes effective on 15 May 2003.
Background: This Directive is issued to ensure that life limited components are removed from service at or before the manufacturers specified retirement lives. This Amendment reflects the latest amendment status of the Schweizer (Hughes) 269 HMI, Appendix B, Table B-5.
Amendment 14 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 30 November 1989 and Amendment 15 effective 17 August 1995, both updated the amendment status of the Hughes 269 HMI, Appendix B, Table B-5.
Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters
AD/HU 269/26 Amdt 16 (continued)
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 3 October 1968.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 20 March 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 23 April 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/HU 269/26 Amdt 16 on 20 March 2003 to address a safety issue concerning the retirement of critical components in Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters. This amendment, which became effective on 15 May 2003, revokes previous amendments (AD/HU 269/26 Amdt 15, effective 17 August 1995, and AD/HU 269/26 Amdt 14, effective 30 November 1989) and updates the maintenance instructions to ensure compliance with the manufacturer's specified retirement lives for components. The directive mandates that all components listed in the Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Basic Handbook of Maintenance Instructions (HMI) Appendix B, Table B-5, be retired on or before the times specified therein. Operators involved in unusual manoeuvres or high-frequency operations must consult the manufacturer and notify CASA of any potential life revisions. This amendment reflects the latest update to the Schweizer (Hughes) 269 HMI, Appendix B, Table B-5, and aims to maintain the airworthiness of these helicopters by ensuring timely retirement of critical components.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/HU 269/26 Amdt 16 applies to all Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series helicopters, requiring operators to retire specific components listed in the Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Basic Handbook of Maintenance Instructions (HMI) Appendix B, Table B-5, before the times specified by the manufacturer. This directive ensures the safety of the aircraft by mandating the removal of life-limited components at or before their specified retirement lives. The AD mandates that operators of helicopters involved in operations such as agricultural, cattle mustering, or those achieving more than four rotor full stop flights per hour must consult with the manufacturer to determine if any revisions to component life are necessary and subsequently notify the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This AD is effective as of 15 May 2003 and is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/HU 269/26 Amdt 16 (sections 5 and 6) pertains to the Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters. It mandates that all components listed in the Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Basic Handbook of Maintenance Instructions (HMI) Appendix B, Table B-5, (re-issue dated 20 May 1993 and revised 25 January 2002), must be retired on or before the times specified within that table (section 5). Operators of these helicopters engaged in operations that involve unusual manoeuvres or achieve more than four rotor full stop flights per hour must consult the manufacturer for possible life revisions and notify the Authority accordingly (section 5). The directive's compliance date is set as 15 May 2003 (section 7).
Operators of Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters are required to adhere strictly to the retirement timelines for critical components as specified in the Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Basic Handbook of Maintenance Instructions (section 5). In addition, operators engaged in specific types of operations must consult with the manufacturer to determine if any revisions to component life are necessary based on their operational history, and must report these findings to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This ensures that all components are maintained in a safe and reliable condition, and that any potential risks associated with extended use are mitigated (section 5).
Breaching the requirements set out in this AD can result in serious safety implications, as it pertains to the retirement of critical components within specified timelines. Non-compliance with the mandated retirement dates could lead to the continued use of components beyond their safe operational limits, potentially resulting in aircraft failures or accidents. Operators failing to consult with the manufacturer or notify CASA of any life revisions for specific operational conditions could also face regulatory action (section 5). The potential consequences include fines, enforcement actions, or even the grounding of non-compliant aircraft until the necessary actions are taken to rectify the situation.
The AD does not explicitly state specific penalties for breaches; however, non-compliance with CASA directives generally can lead to civil penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. These penalties can include fines up to the maximum prescribed by law for each offence, which can be substantial given the safety implications of non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Additionally, operators may face criminal charges if their negligence results in harm or endangerment to public safety, leading to imprisonment or further financial penalties (sections 3 and 4).