COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Kawasaki BK 117 Series Helicopters
AD/JBK 117/13 Engine Mount Truss Supports 4/99
Applicability: Kawasaki model BK-117, BK-117A-3, BK-117A-4, BK-117B-1, and BK-117B2 helicopters.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Kawasaki Service Bulletin KSB -117-127.
Note: JCAB AD TCD-4930-99 refers.
Compliance: For helicopters with less than 1,200 total flight hours: Unless already accomplished, at the first 1,200 inspection. For helicopters with more than 1,200 total flight hours:
Unless already accomplished, at the next 600 hour inspection or next engine removal after 22 April 1999, whichever occurs first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 22 April 1999.
Background: Cracks caused by grain boundary corrosion were detected on the engine mounting sideward link. This Directive requires an inspection for corrosion on the engine truss supports which are fabricated with an identical material and installed in the same environment as the sideward link.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertaining to Kawasaki BK 117 series helicopters, enacted to address safety concerns arising from grain boundary corrosion in engine mount truss supports. This legislative instrument was introduced to ensure the safety of aviation operations by mandating inspections and actions on the engine mount truss supports of specified Kawasaki BK 117 models. The directive became effective on 22 April 1999 and was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Australian Commonwealth Parliament, with the policy objective of preventing structural failure due to corrosion. This directive is applicable to helicopters with certain flight hour thresholds, requiring inspections to be carried out at specified intervals to mitigate the risk of cracks and ensure continued airworthiness.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's schedule of airworthiness directives, with AD/JBK 117/13 focusing on Kawasaki BK 117 Series Helicopters. This regulation applies to all Kawasaki model BK-117, BK-117A-3, BK-117A-4, BK-117B-1, and BK-117B-2 helicopters operating within the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive mandates actions in accordance with Kawasaki Service Bulletin KSB-117-127, with a reference to JCAB AD TCD-4930-99. The regulation requires compliance with specific inspection criteria based on the total flight hours of the helicopter. For helicopters with less than 1,200 total flight hours, the inspection must be performed at the first 1,200-hour inspection unless already accomplished. For helicopters with more than 1,200 total flight hours, the inspection is required at the next 600-hour inspection or the next engine removal after 22 April 1999, whichever comes first. This Airworthiness Directive became effective on 22 April 1999 in response to the detection of cracks caused by grain boundary corrosion on the engine mounting sideward link, necessitating inspections for corrosion on the engine truss supports fabricated with identical materials and installed in similar environments.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, as detailed in the legislative instrument F2006B10862, specifically address the Kawasaki BK 117 Series Helicopters under AD/JBK 117/13. The directive mandates an inspection for corrosion on the engine mount truss supports for specific models of the Kawasaki BK 117 helicopter series, namely the BK-117, BK-117A-3, BK-117A-4, BK-117B-1, and BK-117B2. This action is in accordance with Kawasaki Service Bulletin KSB -117-127, and it is noted that JCAB AD TCD-4930-99 refers to this directive. The directive becomes effective from 22 April 1999, and the requirement is that for helicopters with less than 1,200 total flight hours, the inspection must be conducted at the first 1,200-hour inspection unless it has already been performed. For helicopters with more than 1,200 total flight hours, the inspection must be conducted at the next 600-hour inspection or the next engine removal after 22 April 1999, whichever comes first.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators of the mentioned Kawasaki helicopter models must ensure that inspections for corrosion on the engine mount truss supports are carried out according to the stipulated conditions. The inspection must be performed by qualified personnel following the guidelines laid out in Kawasaki Service Bulletin KSB -117-127. It is essential that these inspections are logged and recorded appropriately to ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. If the mandated inspections are not conducted, the aircraft may not be deemed airworthy, and the operator could face significant penalties. The potential consequences include civil penalties, potential grounding of the aircraft, and possibly criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to an accident or incident. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within this directive but can include fines and other sanctions as prescribed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Ensuring compliance is therefore crucial for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.