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 369/35
Amdt 1
Tail Rotor Hub - Inspection and Modification 4/79
Applicability: All 500 model 369D series with tail rotor hub assemblies and tail rotor blade attachment bolts as listed in Hughes SIN No. DN-27.1.
Document: Hughes SIN No. DN-27.1. Compliance: As per requirement document.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include a schedule of Airworthiness Directives that address safety concerns for civil aircraft in Australia. One such directive, AD/HU 369/35 Amendment 1, pertains to the inspection and modification of the tail rotor hub of McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters. This legislation was enacted to address the problem of potential tail rotor hub failures that could lead to catastrophic outcomes in flight. The directive applies to all 500 model 369D series helicopters with specified tail rotor hub assemblies and tail rotor blade attachment bolts, as outlined in Hughes Service Instruction No. DN-27.1. The policy objective of this regulation is to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft, thereby enhancing safety standards for Australian civil aviation. The directive is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 series helicopters with the 500 model 369D series and tail rotor hub assemblies as listed in Hughes Service Information Notice (SIN) No. DN-27.1. This regulation mandates the inspection and modification of the tail rotor hub to ensure compliance with safety standards. The applicability is strictly confined to those helicopters identified by the listed tail rotor blade attachment bolts, as detailed in the Hughes SIN No. DN-27.1. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, encompassing the entire Commonwealth of Australia, and is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in this directive, meaning that all applicable aircraft must adhere to the specified requirements. The regulation can be further extended or restricted through subordinate instruments, allowing CASA to issue additional guidance or clarifications as necessary to ensure compliance.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, contain the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, including AD/HU 369/35 Amendment 1. This directive pertains to McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 series helicopters, focusing on the tail rotor hub inspection and modification (Section 4/79). This directive applies to all 500 model 369D series helicopters that possess tail rotor hub assemblies and tail rotor blade attachment bolts as detailed in Hughes Service Information Notice (SIN) No. DN-27.1. The directive's primary aim is to ensure that these helicopters meet specific airworthiness criteria through required inspections and modifications.
The directive imposes specific obligations on the parties or entities it governs, which include operators, maintenance personnel, and other relevant stakeholders. Operators of the affected helicopters must ensure that the inspections and modifications outlined in the directive are conducted by appropriately certified personnel. Maintenance personnel are required to carry out these inspections and modifications in accordance with the procedures and standards specified in Hughes SIN No. DN-27.1. Compliance with these requirements is critical to maintain the airworthiness of the helicopters and to ensure the safety of all persons onboard and on the ground.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this airworthiness directive can result in significant legal and safety consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance may be considered an offence, leading to enforcement actions by CASA. Penalties for breaches can include substantial fines, with the maximum penalty varying depending on the severity of the offence. Additionally, operators found to be in non-compliance may face suspension or revocation of their operating certificates, leading to grounded aircraft and potential financial losses. The safety and operational integrity of the affected helicopters are paramount, and adherence to the directive is mandatory to avoid these serious consequences.