COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Kawasaki BK 117 Series Helicopters
AD/BK 117/3 Cowling Latches 2/90
Applicability: All models S/No. 1001 to 1006, 1008 to 1015 and 1017. Requirement: Action in accordance with Kawasaki SB KSB-117-047-1. Compliance: Prior to the issue of an Australian CofA.
Background: Loss of the cowl resulted in the loss of an Australian aircraft.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by the legislative instrument F2006B10871, pertain to the maintenance and safety standards of aircraft within Australia. This legislative instrument, introduced by the Commonwealth of Australia, specifically targets the Kawasaki BK 117 Series Helicopters, aiming to address the critical safety issue of cowling latches. The enactment followed a significant incident where the loss of the aircraft cowl resulted in the crash of an Australian helicopter, highlighting the need for stringent safety measures to prevent similar occurrences. The policy objective behind this legislation is to ensure the airworthiness of these helicopters by mandating specific maintenance actions, as outlined in Kawasaki SB KSB-117-047-1, to be undertaken before the issue of an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness. The regulation is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to uphold the highest standards of aviation safety and to mitigate risks associated with the specified helicopter models.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/BK 117/3, applies to all Kawasaki BK 117 Series Helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 1001 to 1006, 1008 to 1015, and 1017. This legislative instrument is part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, a Commonwealth regulation that governs the safety and airworthiness of civil aviation in Australia. The directive mandates that the action required must be taken in accordance with Kawasaki Service Bulletin KSB-117-047-1, and compliance must be achieved prior to the issuance of an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness. This directive is a response to a specific incident where the loss of the helicopter's cowl led to the loss of an Australian aircraft, underscoring the critical nature of the mandated safety measures. The scope of this directive is confined to the specified serial numbers of the BK 117 Series Helicopters, and it is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the Commonwealth of Australia's jurisdiction. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the directive, and its application is enforced strictly within the parameters outlined by the Civil Aviation Regulations.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, focus on the applicability and requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of certain Kawasaki BK 117 Series Helicopters. The regulation targets specific models, namely those with serial numbers 1001 to 1006, 1008 to 1015, and 1017 (sections 1-2). The directive mandates compliance with the action specified in Kawasaki Service Bulletin KSB-117-047-1, which pertains to the cowling latches of the affected helicopters (section 3). This action must be completed before issuing an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) for these helicopters (section 4).
The obligations imposed by this legislation are straightforward yet crucial. Operators of the Kawasaki BK 117 Series Helicopters within the specified serial numbers must ensure that the cowling latches are addressed as per the directives outlined in Kawasaki SB KSB-117-047-1. This requirement is intended to prevent the recurrence of an incident where the loss of the cowl led to the loss of an Australian aircraft, highlighting the critical nature of adhering to these safety standards (sections 2-4). Compliance must be verified and documented to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft.
Breaches of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to serious consequences. Non-compliance with the airworthiness directives can result in significant penalties. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, individuals or entities that fail to comply with these regulations may face fines and other enforcement actions. The severity of the penalties can vary, but the overarching aim is to ensure that all safety measures are rigorously followed to prevent accidents. The potential civil or criminal consequences underscore the importance of adhering to the specified requirements and maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety.