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 269/91 Main Transmission Pinion Assembly 2/88
Applicability: 1. All model helicopters fitted with main transmission pinion assembly P/No 269A5103, 269A5103-9 and 269A5103-21 not previously inspected in accordance with AD/HU-269/63B.
2. All 269A5103-31 main transmission pinion assemblies with serial numbers that do not begin with the letter S.
Note: This Directive supersedes AD/HU-269/63B.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Schweizer SIN N-216.
Compliance: For Helicopters: Within 300 hours time in service after 25 January 1988 or by 30 June 1988 which ever occurs first.
For Spares: Before installation on an aircraft after 25 January 1988.
Background: The manufacturer advises that cracking of the pinion assembly has occurred in service. Failure of the pinion could result in loss of drive to the main rotor. This Directive has been raised to include requirements of SIN N.216 which superseded SIN N.170 and SIN N.151.2.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, address the safety and airworthiness of aircraft within Australia. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, these regulations are overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and are designed to ensure that all aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to protect passengers, crew, and the general public. The 1998 regulations include a schedule of airworthiness directives, such as AD/HU 269/91, which provides specific requirements for the inspection and maintenance of certain helicopter components to prevent failures that could compromise flight safety. This particular directive, concerning Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters, was introduced to address the issue of cracking in the main transmission pinion assembly, which, if left unaddressed, could lead to catastrophic failure of the helicopter's main rotor. The policy objective behind these regulations is to mitigate the risks associated with aircraft operation by enforcing stringent airworthiness standards and requiring timely inspections and maintenance actions.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series helicopters equipped with specific main transmission pinion assemblies, namely P/No 269A5103, 269A5103-9, 269A5103-21, and 269A5103-31 with serial numbers that do not start with the letter 'S'. These requirements mandate adherence to Schweizer Service Instruction Notice (SIN) N-216, which supersedes earlier notices SIN N.170 and SIN N.151.2. This directive applies to helicopters that have not previously been inspected under AD/HU-269/63B and requires compliance with specific actions outlined in the notice. The action must be taken within 300 hours of the helicopter's time in service after 25 January 1988, or by 30 June 1988, whichever is earlier. Additionally, spare parts must meet these requirements before being installed on any aircraft following 25 January 1988. The directive is issued due to reported instances of cracking in the pinion assembly, which could potentially result in the loss of drive to the main rotor, thus posing a significant safety risk.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, details the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, including the AD/HU 269/91 related to Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters. This directive addresses the main transmission pinion assembly of certain helicopter models. According to section (1), the directive applies to all model helicopters equipped with main transmission pinion assembly P/No 269A5103, 269A5103-9, and 269A5103-21 that have not been inspected as per AD/HU-269/63B. It also applies to all 269A5103-31 main transmission pinion assemblies with serial numbers not beginning with the letter 'S'. Section (2) mandates that action must be taken in accordance with Schweizer SIN N-216. The directive supersedes the previous directive AD/HU-269/63B.
The requirements set forth in the directive are that compliance must be achieved within specific timeframes. For helicopters, compliance must be achieved within 300 hours of time in service after 25 January 1988, or by 30 June 1988, whichever comes first. For spares, compliance must be achieved before installation on an aircraft after 25 January 1988. The directive aims to address the risk of cracking in the pinion assembly, which could lead to a loss of drive to the main rotor, potentially compromising the helicopter's safety.
The obligations imposed by this directive on the parties and entities it governs are clear and specific. Operators and owners of Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters must ensure that their aircraft comply with the requirements of AD/HU 269/91. This includes performing the necessary inspections and maintenance actions as per Schweizer SIN N-216. Additionally, any spares intended for use in these helicopters must be inspected and comply with the directive before installation. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in serious safety risks and potential non-compliance with aviation regulations.
The consequences for non-compliance with AD/HU 269/91 are significant. Breaches of this directive can result in civil or criminal penalties. The exact nature of these penalties is not specified in the provided text, but non-compliance with CASA directives generally carries the risk of enforcement actions, including fines, legal proceedings, and potential grounding of the aircraft. The severity of the penalties may depend on the extent of non-compliance and any resulting safety risks. Ensuring adherence to these directives is crucial for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters.