AD/HU 369/81 - Tail Rotor Swashplate Bearing Set

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which form part of the legislative framework overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), include specific directives for ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australian airspace. One such directive is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/HU 369/81, which was enacted to address the critical safety concern of tail rotor swashplate bearing sets in McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of bearing failure, which could lead to loss of control of the aircraft, thus ensuring the safety of all persons on board and on the ground. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate specific inspections and maintenance actions to prevent bearing failure and ensure the continued safe operation of these helicopters. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory, and failure to adhere to the stipulated maintenance and inspection schedules could result in serious safety repercussions.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, apply to all model 369D, 369E and 369F/FF series helicopters within the Commonwealth of Australia. This regulation mandates compliance with McDonnell Douglas Service Instructions (SIN) DN-167, EN-58, or FN-46 as applicable to the specific helicopter model. The directive is intended to ensure the safety of these aircraft by addressing potential failure of the tail rotor swashplate bearing set, which could lead to loss of control. Compliance with the directive requires inspection and, where necessary, replacement of bearing sets to ensure continued airworthiness. The regulation applies to all relevant helicopters within Australian jurisdiction, irrespective of the operator or the specific circumstances of the flight. There are no exclusions or exemptions specified within the text of the directive itself, although broader exclusions or exemptions might be outlined in other sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations or related legislation. The regulation may be further detailed or extended through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD/HU 369/81), contain crucial provisions for the maintenance and safety of McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters. These regulations apply to all model 369D, 369E, and 369F/FF series helicopters and mandate compliance with the McDonnell Douglas Service Instructions (SIN) DN-167, EN-58, or FN-46 as appropriate. The primary requirement (Part 1) stipulates that an inspection must be conducted before any further flight after 30 June 1990. If the bearing seals are green or yellow, a certification must be entered on the Maintenance Release. Notably, the pilot in command may perform this inspection. Operators and owners of these helicopters must ensure that the specified inspections and actions are carried out as per the Service Instructions referenced. For the initial inspection, it is imperative that the inspection be completed before any further flight after the date mentioned, and the Maintenance Release must reflect the colour of the bearing seals and a statement of compliance with the AD. For subsequent inspections, the bearing set must be replaced within 10 hours of time in service if it is a black seal bearing set, and such inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 10 hours of time in service. Any bearing sets that have exceeded 300 hours of time in service by 30 June 1990 must be replaced before further flight. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to significant consequences. The regulations do not explicitly detail the specific offences or penalties within the provided text, but generally, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. These actions may include fines, enforcement notices, and potentially grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The severity of the penalty may depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, and in serious cases, criminal charges could be considered.