COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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.
AD/HU 369/107 Collective Pitch Mixer Bellcrank 6/2001
DM
Applicability: All Kawasaki Model 369HS and 369D helicopters with part number 369A7602-W501 magnesium collective pitch mixer bellcrank installed.
Requirement: Perform a dye penetrant inspection of the magnesium collective Pitch mixer bellcrank in accordance with Kawasaki 369 Service Bulletin No. KSB-369-338 or KSB-369D- 224, as applicable.
If cracking is detected, before further flight, replace with a serviceable magnesium or aluminium bellcrank.
Installation of an aluminium collective pitch mixer bellcrank (part number 369N2664- 501) in place of the magnesium part constitutes terminating action for the inspection requirement of this Directive.
Note: Japan JCAB AD TCD-5588-2001 refers.
Compliance: Before further flight after 9 May 2001, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 150 hours time in service, until installation of an aluminium collective pitch mixer bellcrank.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 9 May 2001.
Background: The JCAB requires inspection of magnesium collective pitch mixer bellcranks to prevent possible break-up during flight, and consequent loss of control.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 3 May 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 May 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Parliament of Australia to provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation within the country. One of the key components of these regulations is the inclusion of Airworthiness Directives, which are issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address specific safety concerns identified with certain aircraft or aeronautical products. The objective of these directives is to mitigate risks and ensure that aviation operations remain safe. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, along with the Airworthiness Directives such as AD/HU 369/107, collectively aim to uphold the highest safety standards in Australia's civil aviation sector by addressing potential hazards and ensuring compliance with necessary safety measures.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to all Kawasaki Model 369HS and 369D helicopters equipped with a magnesium collective pitch mixer bellcrank, specifically part number 369A7602-W501. The directive mandates a dye penetrant inspection of the bellcrank as per Kawasaki Service Bulletin No. KSB-369-338 or KSB-369D-224, as applicable. If any cracking is detected during the inspection, the affected bellcrank must be replaced with a serviceable magnesium or aluminium bellcrank before any further flight. The installation of an aluminium collective pitch mixer bellcrank, part number 369N2664-501, terminates the inspection requirement. Compliance with this AD must be achieved before further flight after 9 May 2001 and at intervals not exceeding 150 hours of time in service, until the aluminium bellcrank is installed. This directive falls under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, and is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/HU 369/107 (paragraph 1) applies to all Kawasaki Model 369HS and 369D helicopters that have a specific part number 369A7602-W501 magnesium collective pitch mixer bellcrank installed. The requirement (paragraph 2) under this directive is to perform a dye penetrant inspection of the mentioned bellcrank following the guidelines set out in Kawasaki 369 Service Bulletin No. KSB-369-338 or KSB-369D-224, as applicable. If any cracking is detected during the inspection, the bellcrank must be replaced with a serviceable magnesium or aluminium bellcrank before any further flight. The installation of an aluminium collective pitch mixer bellcrank, specifically part number 369N2664-501, in place of the magnesium part will terminate the inspection requirement of this directive. The compliance (paragraph 3) with this AD must occur before further flight after 9 May 2001 and then at intervals not exceeding 150 hours of time in service, until the aluminium bellcrank is installed.
The obligations under this AD (paragraphs 1 to 3) are clear: operators of the specified helicopters must ensure that the required inspections and repairs are carried out. Operators need to adhere to the specified inspection procedures and ensure that the inspections are performed by qualified personnel using the correct methods and equipment. If cracking is detected, operators must replace the affected bellcrank promptly and before any further flight. Operators must also ensure that the replacement bellcrank is installed according to the specified guidelines. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy.
The consequences for non-compliance with this AD (paragraphs 1 to 3) could be severe. If an operator fails to perform the required inspections and repairs, the helicopter may be deemed unsafe to fly, resulting in potential grounding of the aircraft. This could lead to significant financial losses due to grounded operations, potential fines, and reputational damage. Additionally, failure to comply with the AD could result in regulatory action from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the directive, but they could include fines, suspension of the operator's licence, or other enforcement actions as determined by CASA.