COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Robinson R22 Series Helicopters
AD/R22/28 AM-Safe Harness Buckle Assemblies 4/87
Applicability: All model R22A & R22B with S/Nos. 436 to 603 and any other R22 helicopter that was fitted with a new shoulder harness between 20 August 1984 and 28 February 1987.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Robinson SB No. 55.
Compliance: Prior to the issue of the next Maintenance Release after 9 April 1987 or within 100 hours time in service after 9 April 1987 whichever is the later.
Background: For a particular batch of components there is a possibility that the connector may become dislodged from the buckle if a side load is placed on the assembly. This Directive also satisfies the Requirement of AD/RES/19.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework governing civil aviation in Australia. These regulations, which include the safety directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), aim to ensure that aviation operations are conducted in a manner that protects the safety of people and property. The specific legislative instrument F2006B06433 addresses a safety concern related to the Robinson R22 Series Helicopters, particularly for models R22A and R22B with specific serial numbers, and those fitted with a new shoulder harness within a certain timeframe. The primary objective of this safety directive is to mitigate the risk of the harness buckle assembly becoming dislodged due to side loads, thus maintaining the integrity and safety of the aircraft's harness system.
This safety directive mandates compliance with Robinson Service Bulletin No. 55, requiring corrective action to be taken before the next Maintenance Release after April 9, 1987, or within 100 hours of flight time following April 9, 1987, whichever is later. The directive ensures that all affected helicopters adhere to stringent safety standards, thereby reducing the potential for accidents arising from harness failures. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority's role in issuing this directive underscores the importance of proactive safety measures in the aviation industry to safeguard against identified hazards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the applicability and compliance requirements for certain helicopter models under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This legislative instrument, AD/R22/28, applies to all model R22A and R22B Robinson helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 436 to 603, as well as any other R22 helicopters that were fitted with a new shoulder harness between 20 August 1984 and 28 February 1987. The primary focus of this regulation is to ensure the safety of the safe harness buckle assemblies in these helicopters by mandating compliance with Robinson Service Bulletin No. 55. The compliance requirement necessitates action to be taken either before the issue of the next Maintenance Release after 9 April 1987 or within 100 hours of time in service after the same date, whichever is later. This ensures that the risk of the connector becoming dislodged from the buckle due to side load is mitigated effectively. The scope of this regulation is geographically limited to the Commonwealth of Australia, enforcing safety standards across the nation's airspace.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, mandate the adherence to certain safety directives for specific models of helicopters. The Airworthiness Directives (AD) require all Robinson R22 Series helicopters with serial numbers between 436 and 603, and any R22 helicopters fitted with a new shoulder harness between 20 August 1984 and 28 February 1987, to comply with the provisions outlined in AD/R22/28 (section 105.035). This directive pertains to the safety of the safe harness buckle assemblies, ensuring they meet the specifications set by Robinson SB No. 55.
These regulations impose a clear and specific requirement on the helicopter operators and owners: they must ensure that the safe harness buckle assemblies on their helicopters comply with the stipulated action in Robinson SB No. 55. This action must be completed either before the issue of the next Maintenance Release following 9 April 1987 or within 100 hours of the helicopter being in service after that date, whichever comes later (section 105.035). The directive aims to mitigate the risk of the harness connector becoming dislodged due to side loads, thus ensuring the safety of the occupants.
Non-compliance with these directives can lead to significant consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, failure to adhere to an Airworthiness Directive can result in severe penalties (section 105.035). The regulations stipulate that operators and owners who fail to comply with these safety directives may face both civil and criminal penalties. The maximum penalties can include fines and potential imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness with which the authorities treat non-compliance with aviation safety directives. Ensuring compliance is not only a legal obligation but also a critical measure to maintain the safety of all those involved in aviation activities.