COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Robinson R22 Series Helicopters
AD/R22/13 Tail Rotor Drive Shaft - Replacement 8/82
Applicability: Models R22 with S/Nos. 0002 to 0282. Document: Robinson SB.21.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 30 September 1982.
Background: There have been reported cases of tail rotor drive shaft whipping, due to inadvertent rotor overspeed. A higher frequency shaft is introduced to reduce the possibility of drive shaft whip, and subsequent failure.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (Cth), specifically under Part 39 - 105, addresses safety directives for various aircraft models, including the Robinson R22 series helicopters. This legislation was enacted to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft by issuing directives and standards that must be adhered to by aircraft owners and operators. The problem this regulation seeks to address is the reported instances of tail rotor drive shaft whipping in Robinson R22 series helicopters, which can lead to significant safety hazards due to inadvertent rotor overspeed. The policy objective is to mitigate such risks by mandating specific maintenance actions, such as replacing the tail rotor drive shaft to prevent whipping and subsequent failure, thereby enhancing the overall safety of the aircraft.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, operating under the Australian Government, is the enacting body responsible for the issuance of these regulations. The specific directive AD/R22/13 pertains to the replacement of the tail rotor drive shaft in Robinson R22 series helicopters with serial numbers between 0002 and 0282, to be complied with within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1982. This directive aims to address the identified safety issue by ensuring that the aircraft are maintained according to the specified safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the airworthiness directives for various aircraft, including the Robinson R22 Series Helicopters, as outlined in the legislative instrument F2006B06420. This directive, AD/R22/13, applies to Robinson R22 helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 0002 to 0282. It mandates the replacement of the tail rotor drive shaft to mitigate the risk of tail rotor drive shaft whipping, which has been linked to inadvertent rotor overspeed. Compliance with this directive is required within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1982. This regulation is applicable nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive is aimed at ensuring the continued airworthiness of the specified helicopter models by addressing a known safety issue, with no stated exclusions or exemptions in this particular legislative instrument. The application of this directive may be further detailed or extended through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the requirements for ensuring the airworthiness of certain aircraft, including the Robinson R22 series helicopters. The applicable section in this context is AD/R22/13, which pertains to the tail rotor drive shaft of the R22 models with serial numbers ranging from 0002 to 0282 (Section 39 - 105). This directive mandates that the tail rotor drive shaft must be replaced to prevent the issues associated with rotor overspeed, which can lead to tail rotor drive shaft whipping and subsequent failure. The compliance window is set at within 100 hours of time in service after 30 September 1982 (Section 39 - 105).
The obligations imposed by this directive on the operators of the Robinson R22 series helicopters include ensuring that the specified tail rotor drive shaft replacement is conducted in accordance with the outlined schedule and requirements. Operators must adhere strictly to the compliance timeline and ensure that the replacement is completed within the stipulated 100 hours of time in service after the specified date. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in the aircraft not being deemed airworthy, potentially leading to operational restrictions or grounding of the aircraft until the required modifications are made.
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 also include provisions for offences and penalties in the event of non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Breaches of these regulations can result in both civil and criminal consequences. Civil penalties may include fines, with the exact amount determined based on the severity of the breach. In more severe cases, criminal penalties could be imposed, leading to prosecution and potential imprisonment. The specific maximum penalties are not detailed within this particular directive but are outlined in other sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, where fines and imprisonment terms are specified for various breaches of aviation safety regulations.