AD/HU 369/91 - "Flight Trials" Hardpoints

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, establish the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which include AD/HU 369/91, applicable to the McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, this legislation was introduced to address safety concerns associated with the installation of Flight Trials Helicopter Inc. hardpoints on specific models of helicopters. The policy objective behind this directive is to prevent the failure of hardpoint assemblies that could lead to separation from the helicopter, potentially causing contact with the fuselage or rotor system. The directive requires the removal from service of any non-compliant hardpoints and mandates compliance before further flights after 22 May 1996.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 series helicopters, including models 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, and 500N, which have been modified with Flight Trials Helicopter Inc. hardpoint assemblies and imported into Australia. The regulation mandates the removal from service of any such hardpoints that do not bear the specified part numbers and serial numbers, to prevent potential failure and associated hazards. This requirement applies across the Commonwealth of Australia and must be complied with before further flight after 22 May 1996. The regulation extends its application by referencing the FAA AD 96-08-03, and compliance can be achieved by accessing and removing the specified hardpoint assemblies as noted.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, mandate specific requirements for the airworthiness of certain McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters, specifically referencing the hardpoints modified by Flight Trials Helicopter Inc. (section 39-105). The key operative sections of this legislative instrument focus on the modification of hardpoint assemblies to ensure safety and compliance with Australian aviation standards. For models 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, and 500N, the requirement is that any hardpoints installed must meet specific criteria: they must be marked with the Part Number (P/N) FTH 105 LH Mod 1 for the port side and FTH 105 RH Mod 1 for the starboard side, as well as a Serial Number (S/N). This is to ensure that any modifications adhere to the standards set by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through a Supplementary Type Certificate SH6080NM or a Form 337 "Major Repair and Alteration" prior to importation into Australia. The obligations imposed by this legislation are clear and specific. Operators of the aforementioned helicopter models must ensure that any Flight Trials Helicopter Inc. hardpoint assemblies installed are properly marked and verified as compliant with the regulations. This involves inspecting the hardpoints, ensuring they bear the correct part numbers and serial numbers, and removing any that do not meet these criteria from service. Additionally, the regulation specifies that the inspection can be performed by removing the NAS 1351-3 cap screw that secures the hardpoint to the jacking fittings, allowing the hardpoint to be checked. Non-compliance with these directives may lead to severe safety risks, including potential separation of the hardpoint from the helicopter, which could result in contact with the fuselage or rotor system. Failure to adhere to these airworthiness directives can result in significant consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 outline that operators must ensure compliance before further flight after the specified date of 22 May 1996. Breaches of these regulations may result in enforcement actions, including the grounding of the aircraft until the non-compliant parts are replaced. While the specific penalties are not detailed in this excerpt, they could potentially include fines and other sanctions under broader civil aviation laws. The overarching aim is to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of all personnel and aircraft involved.