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 369/84 Tail Rotor Blades 1/92 DM
Applicability: Model 369 Series fitted with the following tail rotor blades: P/N 369D21613
S/Ns 0646, 1165,1821.
P/N 369D21613M S/Ns 1357, 1809, 1855. P/N 369D21613-11 S/Ns 2465, 2466, 2683. P/N 369D21613-51
S/Ns 4025, 4026, 4453, 4514, 4515, 4683, 02222-6097. P/N 369D21613-501
S/N 5308.
Requirement: Remove from service any tail rotor blade identified by the above serial number listing.
Note 1: Removed blades need to be returned to Rotor Blades (NZ) Ltd for rework. Note 2: Air Transport NZ AD DCA/HU 369/59 refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished; prior to further flight after 20 November 1991.
Background: This Directive is issued in response to a NZ AD which was issued as the result of a recent accident in New Zealand where a tail rotor blade abrasion strip separated in flight. Initial investigation has indicated a defect with the tail rotor blade abrasion strip attachment. The abrasion strips may appear free of bond separation or voids, but this does not assure their airworthiness. The above identified tail rotor blades are of the same batch as the accident blade.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, encompass a comprehensive framework designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within the country. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 within the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 addresses the issuance of airworthiness directives, with a focus on ensuring that aircraft and related components meet safety standards. One such directive, AD/HU 369/84, pertains to the specific issue of tail rotor blades for the McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters, which was introduced to address the problem of potential defects in tail rotor blade abrasion strips that could lead to in-flight separations, as evidenced by a recent accident in New Zealand. This directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and mandates the removal and rework of specified tail rotor blades to prevent similar incidents, thereby achieving the policy objective of maintaining high safety standards in aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to operators of McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters that are equipped with particular tail rotor blades. The regulations mandate the removal from service of specific tail rotor blades identified by their part numbers and serial numbers. This requirement is mandatory unless it has already been fulfilled, and must be carried out prior to any further flight after 20 November 1991. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, governed by the Commonwealth of Australia, and they apply to all entities operating within the Australian airspace. The regulations are designed to ensure the airworthiness of helicopters by addressing defects identified in specific tail rotor blades, which were found to have issues with abrasion strip attachments following an accident in New Zealand. Additionally, the removed blades must be returned to Rotor Blades (NZ) Ltd for rework, as referenced in Air Transport NZ AD DCA/HU 369/59. This legislative instrument does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, but its application can be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) concerning the tail rotor blades of McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters (AD/HU 369/84). This AD mandates the removal of specific tail rotor blades from service due to safety concerns identified in a New Zealand accident. The directive applies to Model 369 Series helicopters fitted with certain tail rotor blades bearing specific part numbers and serial numbers (sections 1/92 DM, Applicability). The required action is to remove these identified blades from service before further flight after 20 November 1991 unless the removal has already been completed (Requirement). Once removed, the blades must be returned to Rotor Blades (NZ) Ltd for rework (Note 1). The directive references an earlier New Zealand AD (AD DCA/HU 369/59) for additional context (Note 2).
Compliance with this AD is mandatory for operators of the specified helicopters. They must ensure that any identified tail rotor blades are removed from service and returned for rework by Rotor Blades (NZ) Ltd. This requirement is crucial to prevent potential accidents similar to the one that prompted the directive. Failure to comply with the AD could result in serious safety risks and potential liability for any accidents that occur due to non-compliance. Operators are also expected to maintain records of compliance and the actions taken to address the AD.
Failure to comply with the requirements of the AD can result in significant legal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an AD can be considered an offence. Depending on the severity and circumstances of the breach, this can lead to criminal charges. The maximum penalties for such offences include substantial fines and potential imprisonment. In addition to criminal penalties, operators may also face civil liabilities for any damages or losses resulting from non-compliance. This includes compensation for injuries, fatalities, or property damage that may occur due to the failure to comply with the AD. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to enforce these penalties and take corrective actions against non-compliant operators.