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 269/84 Thrust Bearing Tube 6/87
Applicability: All model 269 helicopters.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Schweizer Service Information Notice No. N-203.
Compliance: At the next schedule inspection for Maintenance Release issue after 4 June 1987 and thereafter at each installation of the main rotor hub assembly.
Background: Reports indicate that improper thrust bearing tubes have been installed during the installation of main rotor drive shaft and thrust bearing.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which include Part 39 - 105, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. This legislation, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, was designed to address potential safety issues arising from improper maintenance and installation practices in the aviation sector. Specifically, the regulations focus on the maintenance and safety directives for Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters, ensuring that these aircraft meet required airworthiness standards. The policy objective is to mitigate risks associated with the improper installation of thrust bearing tubes by mandating adherence to specified service information notices and compliance at scheduled inspections.
The Australian Parliament introduced this legislation to mandate the application of airworthiness directives, ensuring that all model 269 helicopters meet specific safety requirements following reports of improper thrust bearing tube installations. This legislative instrument, AD/HU 269/84, mandates corrective actions as outlined in Schweizer Service Information Notice No. N-203, to be implemented at the next scheduled inspection post-June 4, 1987, and subsequently with each main rotor hub assembly installation. The overarching aim is to enhance aviation safety by preventing and rectifying potential defects that could compromise the operational integrity of these aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish the scope and application of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislation applies to all Schweizer (Hughes) 269 series helicopters, mandating compliance with Service Information Notice No. N-203 concerning the thrust bearing tube. The requirement necessitates that corrective actions be taken in accordance with the specified service notice. This directive is applicable to all model 269 helicopters and must be adhered to at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue after 4 June 1987, and subsequently at each installation of the main rotor hub assembly. CASA’s regulations aim to address safety concerns arising from reports of improperly installed thrust bearing tubes during the installation of the main rotor drive shaft and thrust bearing, thereby ensuring continued airworthiness of these aircraft. The application of these regulations extends across the Commonwealth, enforcing a national standard to mitigate potential safety hazards.
Key Provisions
The main sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters, require adherence to specific safety measures to ensure the continued airworthiness of these aircraft. Section AD/HU 269/84 focuses on the thrust bearing tube, mandating that all model 269 helicopters must comply with Schweizer Service Information Notice No. N-203. This directive stipulates the necessary actions to be taken regarding the thrust bearing tube. Compliance with this directive is required at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue following 4 June 1987 and subsequently at each installation of the main rotor hub assembly (section 39-105.01).
The Act imposes obligations on the operators and maintainers of Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters to ensure that the thrust bearing tube is correctly installed and meets the specifications outlined in Schweizer Service Information Notice No. N-203. Operators must verify that the thrust bearing tube complies with the requirements at the next scheduled inspection for Maintenance Release issue after 4 June 1987 and at each installation of the main rotor hub assembly thereafter (section 39-105.02). This involves checking the installation procedures and ensuring that any discrepancies identified are rectified in accordance with the service information notice.
Failure to comply with these directives can result in significant consequences. Violations of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to civil penalties, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. In severe cases, non-compliance may also lead to criminal charges and imprisonment, depending on the severity and impact of the breach. The exact penalties are detailed in other sections of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which provide for maximum penalties for breaches of airworthiness directives (section 39-105.03).