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 269/96 Throttle Cable Assembly 7/90 DM
Applicability: All models 269A, A-1 and 269B helicopters. Model 269C S/N 0004 thru 0819 inclusive or aircraft subsequent to S/N 0819 that have had the throttle cable replaced.
Requirement: 1. Gain access to both ends of the throttle control cable.
2. If cable has steel swaged end fittings, refer Figure 1 of Schweizer SIN No N-210, this Directive can be certified as complying.
3. If end fittings are not swaged steel, inspect end fittings for security of attachment and exposed threads adjacent to the cable end fittings, and
4. If threads are visible replace cable before further flight.
Note Compliance with FAA AD 90.06.10 Amdt 39-6529 Para (C) will satisfy compliance with this Directive.
Compliance: Unless previously accomplished, within 50 hours time in service after 30 May 1990. Thereafter, repeat inspection at intervals not exceeding 50 hours time in service until cable is replaced in accordance with Part III of Schweizer SIN No N-210.
Background: An accident occurred due to separation of a throttle cable end fitting.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (as amended) were enacted to provide comprehensive regulations governing the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This particular legislative instrument, F2006B10654, targets the safety of Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters by issuing an Airworthiness Directive (AD) to address a specific safety concern with the throttle cable assembly. This AD was introduced to mitigate the risk of accidents resulting from the separation of the throttle cable end fitting, a problem identified following an accident. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the body responsible for enacting this directive under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The policy objective is to ensure the safety of all air operations by enforcing stringent compliance with safety standards and directives aimed at preventing accidents caused by mechanical failures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses airworthiness directives concerning various aircraft, including the Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters. This particular legislative instrument pertains to the throttle cable assembly of these helicopters, as outlined in AD/HU 269/96. The directive applies to all models 269A, A-1, and 269B helicopters, as well as model 269C helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 0004 to 0819 inclusive or subsequent to serial number 0819 that have had the throttle cable replaced. The requirement necessitates inspecting the throttle control cable and, if the end fittings are not steel swaged, checking for secure attachment and exposed threads. If visible threads are found, the cable must be replaced before further flight. Compliance with this directive is mandatory unless previously completed, with an initial inspection required within 50 hours of time in service after 30 May 1990, followed by subsequent inspections at intervals not exceeding 50 hours until the cable is replaced in accordance with Schweizer Service Instruction No. N-210. Compliance with FAA AD 90.06.10 Amendment 39-6529, Paragraph (C), will satisfy the requirements of this directive.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically addressing the Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters, focus on ensuring the safety of the throttle cable assembly (Section 1). Section 2 outlines the requirements for the inspection and potential replacement of the throttle control cable for the specified helicopter models. It mandates that if the cable end fittings are not of steel and swaged, an inspection must be conducted to ensure the security of attachment and the absence of exposed threads. If exposed threads are found, the cable must be replaced before further flight (Section 3). Compliance with FAA AD 90.06.10 Amdt 39-6529 Para (C) will also satisfy this directive (Section 4).
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties governed by it. Primarily, operators of Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters must ensure that the throttle control cable is inspected and, if necessary, replaced within 50 hours of time in service after 30 May 1990 (Section 1). Subsequent to this initial inspection, further inspections must be carried out at intervals not exceeding 50 hours of time in service until the cable is replaced in accordance with Part III of Schweizer SIN No N-210 (Section 2). The directive also requires that any replacement of the throttle cable must follow the detailed instructions provided in Schweizer SIN No N-210 (Section 3).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this directive can lead to serious consequences. While the specific civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the text, it is clear that non-compliance could potentially result in safety issues, including the risk of accidents similar to the one that prompted this directive (Section 1). The regulation underscores the importance of adhering to the stipulated inspection and replacement intervals to maintain the airworthiness of the helicopters and ensure the safety of all personnel involved.