COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes airworthiness directive AD/JBK 117/15 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Kawasaki BK117 Series Helicopters
AD/JBK 117/15
Amdt 2
Tension-Torsion Straps 10/2001 DM
Applicability: Model BK117 series helicopters equipped with tension-torsion strap part number 2604067, J17322-1, 117-14110, or 117-14111.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Kawasaki Service Bulletin KSB-117-155B.
Note: JCAB AD TCD-5126A-2001 refers.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document.
This Amendment becomes effective on 29 August 2001.
Background: The failure of a tension-torsion strap installed in a US registered Eurocopter BK-117 helicopter caused a fatal crash of the aircraft. The initial issue of this Directive was based on a German AD applicable to the Eurocopter BK 117 and the service bulletin issued by Eurocopter.
Amendment 1 referred to the later issued Kawasaki service bulletin and Japanese AD, which did not change the requirements of this Directive.
Amendment 2 is issued in response to a revision of the Requirement document and related JCAB AD.
Amendment 1 to this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 4 November 1999.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on18 August 1999.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 22 August 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 29 August 2001.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the legislative framework governing civil aviation in Australia, was enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of air operations within the country. This Act was developed in response to the need for a comprehensive regulatory system to oversee the aviation industry, focusing on the establishment of safety standards, licensing of aircraft, and the certification of aviation personnel. The objective of the Act is to protect the public by implementing stringent safety measures, thereby reducing the risk of accidents and incidents in the aviation sector.
The Airworthiness Directive AD/JBK 117/15 Amdt 2, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the authority of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, targets the Kawasaki BK117 series helicopters. This directive was introduced to address the safety concerns arising from the failure of tension-torsion straps, which had previously resulted in a fatal crash. The policy objective of this amendment is to mandate corrective actions as specified in the Kawasaki Service Bulletin KSB-117-155B to mitigate the identified safety risks. The directive became effective on 29 August 2001, requiring all affected helicopters to comply with the outlined safety requirements to ensure airworthiness and public safety.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/JBK 117/15 Amdt 2 pertains specifically to the Kawasaki BK117 series helicopters equipped with tension-torsion straps identified by part numbers 2604067, J17322-1, 117-14110, or 117-14111. This directive is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive requires compliance with the actions stipulated in Kawasaki Service Bulletin KSB-117-155B, as detailed in the requirement section of the directive. The directive is applicable within the Commonwealth of Australia and was effective from 29 August 2001. It was issued in response to safety concerns related to the failure of tension-torsion straps in a similar helicopter model, which led to a fatal crash. This amendment revokes the previous directive, AD/JBK 117/15 Amdt 1, and incorporates updated requirements from a revised Requirement document and related JCAB AD. The directive aims to address the unsafe condition identified and mandates corrective actions to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected helicopters.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) under Part 39, Section 105, specifically address the revocation and issuance of airworthiness directives (ADs) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (39.1(1)). This particular AD (AD/JBK 117/15 Amdt 2) pertains to Kawasaki BK117 series helicopters equipped with certain tension-torsion strap parts, and it mandates corrective actions as outlined in the requirement section. The AD became effective on 29 August 2001, following its notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.
The obligations imposed by this AD require owners and operators of Kawasaki BK117 series helicopters to comply with the actions specified in Kawasaki Service Bulletin KSB-117-155B (Requirement). This involves addressing any tension-torsion straps identified by the part numbers 2604067, J17322-1, 117-14110, or 117-14111. Compliance must be achieved in accordance with the instructions provided in the requirement section of the AD and within the timeframe specified therein.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in significant consequences. Although the AD does not explicitly state penalties, non-compliance with airworthiness directives typically falls under the general compliance framework of CAR 1998. Under such regulations, non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other regulatory sanctions. The severity of penalties can vary based on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but they are designed to ensure that all aircraft remain airworthy and safe to operate.