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 369/66 Eon Corp. Seat Belt Assemblies 8/86
Applicability: All 369 Series Helicopters equipped with seat belt assemblies manufactured by the Eon Corporation.
Requirement: Action in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co. S.I.N. HN-202, DN- 141, EN-29, FN-18, as applicable.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, prior to the issue of the next Maintenance Release after 31 August 1986.
Background: The aircraft manufacturer has determined that the buckle assembly may open inadvertently.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, address the safety of aircraft by issuing airworthiness directives that ensure compliance with safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. One such directive, AD/HU 369/66, pertains specifically to the McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters, focusing on the seat belt assemblies manufactured by Eon Corp. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of buckle assemblies opening inadvertently, thereby addressing a safety concern identified by the aircraft manufacturer. Enacted by the Australian Government and overseen by the Parliament, the objective of these regulations is to enhance the safety of civil aviation through stringent compliance measures and the timely implementation of necessary actions to rectify identified safety issues.
The directive requires that actions be taken in accordance with specific Service Instructions issued by McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co., with compliance mandated before the next Maintenance Release following 31 August 1986. This ensures that all applicable aircraft are equipped with the necessary modifications to prevent potential safety hazards, thereby upholding the overarching goal of maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation as stipulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the application of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, focusing on the McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters, particularly concerning seat belt assemblies manufactured by the Eon Corporation. This regulation applies to all 369 Series Helicopters equipped with such seat belt assemblies. The directive requires adherence to actions specified in McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co. Service Instructions HN-202, DN-141, EN-29, and FN-18, as applicable. Compliance is mandatory and must be completed prior to the issuance of the next Maintenance Release after 31 August 1986, unless the required actions have already been taken. The regulation is part of the broader framework of the Commonwealth of Australia's civil aviation safety directives, aimed at ensuring the airworthiness and safety of the specified aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, incorporates the Airworthiness Directives (AD) that govern the maintenance and safety of aircraft in Australian airspace. Section 39.105 pertains to the AD/HU 369/66 concerning the Eon Corporation seat belt assemblies in McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters. This directive mandates that all 369 Series Helicopters equipped with seat belt assemblies manufactured by Eon Corporation must comply with the action requirements outlined in the specified McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co. Service Instructions (S.I.N.) such as HN-202, DN-141, EN-29, and FN-18. The directive necessitates that these actions be carried out unless they have already been completed, before the issue of the next Maintenance Release after 31 August 1986. This requirement arises from the manufacturer's determination that the buckle assembly of the seat belts may open inadvertently, posing a potential safety risk.
Operators and owners of 369 Series Helicopters must ensure that the seat belt assemblies are examined and, if necessary, repaired or replaced to meet the standards specified in the relevant service instructions. Compliance involves conducting a thorough inspection of the seat belt assemblies and implementing any necessary corrective actions as per the manufacturer's guidelines. This obligation is crucial to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew onboard. The onus is on the operators to verify that the seat belt assemblies are in proper working condition and to keep detailed records of all maintenance activities undertaken to comply with the directive.
Failure to adhere to the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement action against non-compliance, which could include the issuance of a Notice of Proposed Civil Penalty or legal proceedings in the Australian courts. In severe cases, CASA may also suspend or revoke the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, preventing the aircraft from operating until the required actions are completed. The penalties for non-compliance can include substantial fines and potential imprisonment for individuals responsible for the oversight, underscoring the importance of strict adherence to the regulations. Operators must therefore ensure that all necessary actions are taken in a timely manner to avoid these repercussions.