COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters
AD/HU 269/32
Amdt 1
Tail Rotor Gearbox - Inspection and/or Replacement
6/70
Applicability: All models fitted with tail rotor gearboxes P/N 269A6027 or 369A5400 with gearbox S/Nos. listed in Hughes SIN No. N-71-1 and Addendum XI.
Document: Hughes SIN No. N-71.1 and Addendum XI.
Compliance: Before achieving 90 hours total component time in service.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, form a comprehensive framework designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. One particular legislative instrument, F2006B10601, addresses a specific problem related to the maintenance and safety of Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters. This instrument, under PART 39 - 105, aims to mandate the inspection and/or replacement of tail rotor gearboxes in certain models to mitigate risks associated with mechanical failure, thereby enhancing aviation safety. The policy objective is to ensure that these helicopters continue to operate within safe parameters by adhering to the specified maintenance directives.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the airworthiness directives for aircraft operating within Australia and its territories. One such directive, AD/HU 269/32 Amendment 1, pertains to Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters, focusing on the inspection and/or replacement of tail rotor gearboxes. This directive applies to all models equipped with tail rotor gearboxes bearing specific part numbers and serial numbers as listed in Hughes Service Information Notice (SIN) No. N-71-1 and its Addendum XI. The requirement must be fulfilled before the gearbox reaches 90 hours of total component time in service, ensuring that these critical components are maintained to the highest safety standards. The regulations extend to all operators and entities involved in the maintenance and operation of these helicopters within Australia, reinforcing the commitment to civil aviation safety.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes detailed provisions for ensuring the safety of Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters. The directive AD/HU 269/32 Amendment 1 focuses on the inspection and/or replacement of the tail rotor gearboxes for models fitted with specific gearbox part numbers and serial numbers as listed in Hughes Service Information Notice (SIN) No. N-71-1 and Addendum XI. This directive applies to all Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters equipped with tail rotor gearboxes with part numbers 269A6027 or 369A5400 and gearbox serial numbers specified in Hughes SIN No. N-71-1 and its addendum.
Operators and owners of these helicopters are obligated to ensure that the tail rotor gearboxes are inspected or replaced before the components reach 90 hours of total service time. This requirement is crucial to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the helicopters. Compliance with these directives involves following the detailed instructions and procedures outlined in Hughes SIN No. N-71.1 and Addendum XI, which provide the technical specifications and guidelines necessary for the inspection and replacement processes.
Failure to comply with these directives can lead to serious safety risks, including potential in-flight failures of the tail rotor gearbox. The legislation does not explicitly state civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance, but such failures could result in severe consequences, including the grounding of the aircraft, potential grounding of the entire fleet, and severe financial penalties imposed by CASA. Operators must adhere to these provisions to ensure the safety of their operations and avoid any adverse actions from CASA.
In summary, Part 39, Section 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 mandates specific actions regarding the inspection and replacement of tail rotor gearboxes for Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters to ensure continued airworthiness. The directive requires operators to perform these actions before the components reach 90 hours of total service time. Failure to comply with these safety directives could result in severe consequences, including aircraft grounding and financial penalties, underscoring the importance of strict adherence to these regulations.