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
AD/HU 369/11
Amdt 1
Main Transmission Ring Gear Bolts - Inspection 2/79
Applicability: All model 369H Series except helicopters modified in accordance with HL. 39 (main transmission P/N 369A5100- 705M, -707M, -709).
Document: Hughes SIN No. HN-61.
Compliance: At next scheduled main transmission oil change and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 150 hours time in service after 28 September 1973.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework governing all aspects of civil aviation in Australia. One of the key legislative instruments under this Act is the Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/HU 369/11 Amendment 1, which was introduced to address safety concerns related to the main transmission ring gear bolts of McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters. This directive was established to ensure the safety of these aircraft by mandating regular inspections of the main transmission ring gear bolts, particularly focusing on models 369H Series, excluding those modified according to certain specifications. The policy objective behind this regulation is to mitigate risks associated with the failure of these critical components, thereby enhancing overall flight safety and reliability.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the legislative instrument F2006B10669, specifically addresses the airworthiness directives for the McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series helicopters, with a focus on the AD/HU 369/11 Amendment 1 concerning the inspection of main transmission ring gear bolts. This regulation applies to all model 369H Series helicopters, except those modified in accordance with HL. 39 (main transmission parts numbers 369A5100-705M, -707M, -709). The compliance requirements are designed to ensure safety by mandating inspections at the next scheduled main transmission oil change and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 150 hours of time in service following 28 September 1973. The overarching jurisdiction of these regulations is the Commonwealth of Australia, extending to all entities and persons involved in the operation of these specific helicopter models within the national airspace. The regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, and compliance is a mandatory requirement for the airworthiness of these aircraft.
Key Provisions
The main sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, PART 39 - 105, particularly the AD/HU 369/11 Amendment 1 concerning McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters, focus on the inspection of main transmission ring gear bolts (section 105.202). The regulation applies specifically to all model 369H Series helicopters, with an exception for those modified in accordance with HL. 39 (main transmission P/N 369A5100-705M, -707M, -709). The compliance requirement mandates that inspections must occur at the next scheduled main transmission oil change and then at intervals not exceeding 150 hours of time in service after 28 September 1973 (section 105.202(a)).
The obligations imposed by the AD/HU 369/11 Amendment 1 are clear and specific. Operators of the applicable helicopters must ensure that the inspection of the main transmission ring gear bolts is conducted in accordance with the outlined schedule. This involves meticulous adherence to the specified intervals and maintaining accurate records of these inspections to demonstrate compliance. The regulation also requires operators to use the Hughes Service Instruction Notice No. HN-61 as a guide for performing these inspections, ensuring that the procedure aligns with the regulatory standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (section 105.202(b)).
Failure to comply with the AD/HU 369/11 Amendment 1 can lead to significant consequences. According to section 105.204, any breach of the specified requirements may result in enforcement actions by CASA. The severity of the penalties can vary, but they may include fines and other sanctions deemed appropriate by the authority. The exact penalties are not specified within the text but are subject to the broader provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which could impose substantial financial penalties for non-compliance (section 105.204). The overarching aim of these provisions is to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the helicopters, thereby protecting the public and maintaining high safety standards within the aviation industry.