AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/HU 269/67 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 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 269/67
Amdt 2
Tailboom Centre Attachment Fitting Assembly - Inspection
13/2002
Applicability: All models.
Requirement: 1. Inspect the tailboom centre attachment (saddle) fitting in accordance with Hughes SIN No. B-238 (for models 269A, 269A-1, 269B) and B-239 (for model 269C).
2. Check the thickness of the saddle fitting lugs. The thickness of the lugs that are nearer the tailboom should be equal to, or less than, the thickness of the lugs away from the tail-boom. If the lug thickness does not meet this condition, the saddle fitting must be retired from service within the next 100 hours time in service.
Note: FAA AD’s 91-05-18 and 93-21-03 refer.
Compliance: 1. As detailed in Hughes SIN No. B-238 or B-239 as applicable (depending on model).
2. Coincident with the initial inspection required by SIN No. B-238 or B-239.
This Amendment becomes effective on 26 December 2002.
Background: These inspections are required to prevent fatigue failure of the tailboom centre attachment fitting, which could result in loss of the tailboom of the helicopter. This amendment changes the requirement document from Hughes SIN No. N-165.1 (now cancelled) to Hughes SIN B-239 or B-239 (depending on the model). Minor changes are also made to the text and a note added which refers to the original FAA AD’s.
There is no technical change to the inspections required by this AD.
Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters
AD/HU 269/67 Amdt 2 (continued)
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective in August 1982.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 14 November 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 4 December 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/HU 269/67 Amdt 2 in 2002, revoking its previous amendment and updating the requirements for the inspection of the tailboom centre attachment fitting assembly of Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters. This AD was enacted to address safety concerns related to potential fatigue failure of the tailboom centre attachment fitting, which could result in the loss of the tailboom and compromise the aircraft's safety. The policy objective of this AD is to ensure that the specified inspection and maintenance procedures are followed to mitigate the risk of such failures. The AD specifies the need to inspect the tailboom centre attachment fitting and check the thickness of the saddle fitting lugs, with detailed instructions provided in Hughes Service Information Notices (SIN) B-238 or B-239, depending on the model. The AD became effective on 26 December 2002 and was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 4 December 2002.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/HU 269/67 Amdt 2 applies to all models of Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters, as specified in the applicability section. This directive is issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is aimed at addressing the safety concern of potential fatigue failure of the tailboom centre attachment fitting, which could lead to the loss of the tailboom of the helicopter. The requirement section mandates inspections of the tailboom centre attachment fitting according to Hughes Service Information Notice (SIN) No. B-238 or B-239, depending on the specific model, and requires a check of the thickness of the saddle fitting lugs. If the lugs nearer the tailboom are thicker than those away from the tailboom, the saddle fitting must be retired from service within the next 100 hours of time in service. Compliance with these directives must be achieved in accordance with the instructions provided in Hughes SIN No. B-238 or B-239, and coincident with the initial inspection required by these notices. This amendment became effective on 26 December 2002.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/HU 269/67 Amdt 2 issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to all Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters. The directive mandates specific actions to prevent unsafe conditions related to the tailboom centre attachment fitting assembly. According to the directive, all operators must inspect the tailboom centre attachment fitting using Hughes Service Information Notice (SIN) No. B-238 for models 269A, 269A-1, and 269B, or SIN No. B-239 for model 269C. During the inspection, operators must also check the thickness of the saddle fitting lugs, ensuring that the lugs closer to the tailboom are not thicker than those further away. If the lugs do not meet this condition, the saddle fitting must be retired from service within the next 100 hours of operation.
Operators of Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters must adhere to the inspection requirements detailed in Hughes SIN No. B-238 or B-239, depending on the model, and perform these inspections concurrently with the initial inspection required by the same SINs. The directive highlights the importance of these inspections to prevent potential fatigue failure of the tailboom centre attachment fitting, which could lead to the loss of the tailboom. Operators must ensure compliance with the AD to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious safety risks. While the specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the AD, non-compliance with airworthiness directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions might include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, or other regulatory penalties. Ensuring adherence to the AD is crucial to avoid potential safety hazards and legal repercussions.