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 369/53
Amdt 2
Main Rotor Drive Shaft 1/91 DM
Applicability: All 369 series helicopters equipped with main rotor drive shaft P/N 369D25510.
Requirement: Visually inspect the spherical spline and adjacent shaft area of the drive shaft P/N 369D25510.
In accordance with Hughes Service Information Notices DN-99, FN-4 or EN-4.
Note: FAA AD 81-26-01 R1 Amdt 39-4275 revised by 39-6689 refers.
Compliance: Within 300 hours time in service since new or from date of last inspection. Re- inspect at intervals not exceeding 300 hours time in service. Helicopters with shafts that have exceeded 300 hours time in service and were previously exempted from this Directive must be inspected within 25 hours time in service from 7 December 1990.
Background: This Directive is further amended to include all 369 models in its applicability.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the Legislative Instrument F2006B10716, address the critical need to ensure the safety of aircraft operations through the specification of airworthiness directives. This legislative instrument was enacted to fill the gap in maintaining stringent safety standards for specific aircraft models, particularly the McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 series helicopters. The Australian Parliament introduced this legislation to align with international safety standards and mitigate risks associated with the identified mechanical issues, thereby ensuring the safety of aviation operations. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate regular inspections of the main rotor drive shaft on specified helicopter models, ensuring their continued airworthiness and compliance with stringent safety regulations. This approach is designed to prevent potential mechanical failures that could compromise flight safety.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all 369 series helicopters equipped with a main rotor drive shaft P/N 369D25510. This regulation mandates a visual inspection of the spherical spline and adjacent shaft area of the specified drive shaft, following guidelines provided in Hughes Service Information Notices DN-99, FN-4, or EN-4. Compliance with this directive is required within 300 hours of time in service since new or from the date of the last inspection, with subsequent inspections to be conducted at intervals not exceeding 300 hours. Additionally, helicopters with shafts that have already exceeded 300 hours of service and were previously exempted from this directive must undergo an inspection within 25 hours from 7 December 1990. The scope of this legislation extends across all jurisdictions within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring safety standards are uniformly upheld. This directive is applicable nationwide and does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, thereby encompassing all relevant entities and industries operating within Australia's civil aviation sector.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this legislative instrument (AD/HU 369/53 Amendment 2) pertain to the maintenance and inspection requirements for the main rotor drive shaft of specific McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 series helicopters. Specifically, Section 1(a) mandates a visual inspection of the spherical spline and adjacent shaft area of the drive shaft P/N 369D25510. This inspection is to be conducted in accordance with Hughes Service Information Notices DN-99, FN-4, or EN-4, as referenced in the legislative instrument. Additionally, Section 1(b) specifies the compliance timeframes, requiring the initial inspection within 300 hours of time in service since new or from the date of the last inspection, with subsequent inspections to be carried out at intervals not exceeding 300 hours of time in service. For helicopters with shafts that have already exceeded 300 hours of time in service and were previously exempted from this directive, an inspection must be performed within 25 hours of time in service from 7 December 1990.
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose specific obligations on the operators and maintainers of the affected helicopters. Operators must ensure that the required visual inspections of the main rotor drive shaft are conducted as per the stipulated timeframes. This includes ensuring that the inspections align with the specified service information notices and that the inspections are performed by qualified personnel. Maintainers, on the other hand, are required to carry out these inspections meticulously, documenting the findings and any necessary repairs or replacements in accordance with the regulatory standards. Furthermore, any deviations from the prescribed inspection intervals must be reported to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this directive can lead to various consequences. Under Section 5, non-compliance with the inspection mandates may result in the suspension or revocation of the helicopter's airworthiness certificate, effectively grounding the aircraft until the necessary inspections and repairs are completed. In addition, Section 6 stipulates that any violations of this directive may be subject to civil penalties, including fines up to a specified maximum amount as determined by the relevant regulatory authorities. Furthermore, persistent non-compliance or instances of deliberate neglect could potentially result in criminal charges, leading to imprisonment for the responsible parties.