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 269/62
Amdt 1
Tail Rotor Hub - Inspection and Modification 3/82
Applicability: All model 269C with S/Nos. 0004 to 0716.
All model 269A, TH-55A, 269A-1 and 269B with LTS tail rotor assembly P/N 269A6034 Series.
All P/N 369A1725and 369A1725-501 tail rotor hub assemblies. All P/N 369A1725-5 tail rotor assemblies with S/Nos. 001 to 862.
Document: Hughes SIN No. N-153.1.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 March, 1982.
Background: Manufacturer’s SI Notice Revision 1 extends part number effectivity.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, address the need to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australia. This comprehensive set of regulations was designed to fill a critical gap in aviation safety standards, ensuring that all civil aviation activities comply with stringent safety requirements. One particular amendment, F2006B10623, focuses on Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters, specifically targeting issues related to the tail rotor hub. This amendment, known as AD/HU 269/62 Amendment 1, mandates inspections and modifications to ensure the continued safe operation of these helicopters. The policy objective of this legislation is to mitigate potential risks associated with tail rotor hub failures, thereby protecting both the crew and passengers on board.
The applicability of this directive includes all Schweizer (Hughes) 269C models with serial numbers ranging from 0004 to 0716, as well as other specified models and tail rotor hub assemblies. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of the helicopter's time in service following the amendment's effective date of 31 March 1982. This directive is a critical measure to uphold the safety standards mandated by the Civil Aviation Regulations, ensuring that all helicopters meet the necessary safety criteria to operate within Australian airspace.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, address safety standards for Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters. This particular directive, AD/HU 269/62 Amendment 1, applies to all model 269C helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 0004 to 0716, as well as models 269A, TH-55A, 269A-1, and 269B equipped with a LTS tail rotor assembly part number 269A6034 Series. Additionally, it concerns all tail rotor hub assemblies with part numbers 369A1725 and 369A1725-501, and tail rotor assemblies with part number 369A1725-5 and serial numbers from 001 to 862. This directive mandates compliance within 100 hours of time in service following 31 March 1982. The directive extends the effectivity of the manufacturer’s Service Instruction Notice Revision 1, which highlights the importance of maintaining and modifying specified components to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters. This regulation is enforced nationally under the Commonwealth of Australia, applying to all relevant aircraft within the Australian jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the Airworthiness Directives (ADs) that must be adhered to for certain aircraft, including Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters. Section AD/HU 269/62 Amendment 1 pertains to the tail rotor hub inspection and modification for specified models and serial numbers (Section 3/82). This directive applies to all model 269C helicopters with serial numbers (S/Nos.) ranging from 0004 to 0716, as well as other models such as 269A, TH-55A, 269A-1, and 269B that have specific tail rotor assembly part numbers (P/Ns) or tail rotor hub assemblies (P/Ns 369A1725 and 369A1725-501) and certain serial number ranges (S/Nos. 001 to 862). Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 31 March 1982.
The directive necessitates that the affected helicopters undergo an inspection of the tail rotor hub to identify any potential defects or issues. If any defects are found, the relevant parts must be modified or replaced as specified in Hughes Service Information Notice (SIN) No. N-153.1. This requirement is critical to ensure the continued airworthiness of the aircraft and the safety of all personnel involved. Operators of the affected aircraft must therefore ensure that all required inspections and modifications are carried out by qualified personnel and documented appropriately.
The obligations imposed by this AD include maintaining records of all inspections and modifications carried out in accordance with the directive. Operators must also ensure that any modifications are performed in accordance with the specifications outlined in the relevant Hughes SIN. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding and potentially severe legal and financial repercussions.
In terms of enforcement, breaches of the AD can result in significant penalties. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with ADs can be considered an offence. The maximum penalty for such an offence can include substantial fines and, in some cases, imprisonment. Additionally, operators may face civil liability for any damages or injuries resulting from non-compliance. It is therefore imperative that all obligations under the AD are strictly adhered to in order to avoid these serious consequences.