COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Robinson R22 Series Helicopters
AD/R22/33 | Tail Rotor Pedal Retaining Clip | 10/90 DM |
Applicability: | All R22 helicopters S/N 0002 thru 1431 fitted with removable pedals. | |
Requirement: 1. Action in accordance with Part 1 of Robinson Service Bulletin No 64. If any doubt exists as to the retaining clip locking capability the pedals must be removed until Part II of the Requirement document is incorporated.
2. Action in accordance with Part II of Robinson Service Bulletin No 64. Compliance: 1. Prior to further flight after 31 July 1990.
2. Prior to the next inspection for issue of a Maintenance Release after 31 July 1990 or by 31 December 1990, whichever occurs first.
Background: A removable pedal moved out of its retaining clip and caused a partial jamming of the tail rotor pedals.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish the framework for issuing Airworthiness Directives (AD) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. The AD/R22/33 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is directed at the Robinson R22 Series Helicopters, aiming to address a critical safety issue involving the tail rotor pedal retaining clip. This legislative instrument was introduced to rectify a problem where a removable pedal moved out of its retaining clip, leading to a partial jamming of the tail rotor pedals, which could potentially compromise flight safety. The policy objective is to mandate specific actions to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its occupants by requiring compliance with Robinson Service Bulletin No 64, thereby preventing similar incidents in the future.
The legislation requires that all R22 helicopters with serial numbers 0002 through 1431 and fitted with removable pedals must adhere to the outlined requirements. The directive mandates that actions specified in Robinson Service Bulletin No 64 be taken, including the removal of pedals if there is any doubt about the retaining clip's locking capability. Compliance must be achieved either prior to further flight after 31 July 1990 or before the next inspection for the issuance of a Maintenance Release after 31 July 1990, with a final deadline of 31 December 1990. This proactive approach ensures that the safety issue is addressed promptly and effectively within the stipulated timeframe.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives applies to Robinson R22 Series Helicopters, specifically those with serial numbers ranging from 0002 to 1431 that are equipped with removable pedals. This directive mandates compliance with Robinson Service Bulletin No 64 to ensure the safety of the tail rotor pedal retaining clip, which is critical to preventing the pedals from moving out of their retaining clips and causing a partial jamming of the tail rotor pedals. The directive applies to all helicopters fitting the specified criteria, ensuring that they adhere to stringent safety standards to avoid incidents that could potentially compromise flight safety. The directive's geographic reach is national, applying across Australia as it is a regulation issued under the Commonwealth of Australia. The stated compliance timeframe requires that the necessary actions be taken prior to further flight after 31 July 1990 or before the next inspection for the issuance of a Maintenance Release after 31 July 1990, whichever occurs first, and no later than 31 December 1990.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Robinson R22 Series Helicopters, detailing the requirements for the tail rotor pedal retaining clip. The directive is identified as AD/R22/33 (10/90DM). This AD applies to all Robinson R22 helicopters with serial numbers between 0002 and 1431 that are fitted with removable pedals (Section 10/90DM). The primary requirement is for helicopter owners and operators to take specific actions in line with Robinson Service Bulletin No 64. First, they must adhere to Part 1 of the bulletin, which mandates the removal of the pedals if there is any uncertainty about the retaining clip's locking capability until Part II of the bulletin is implemented (Section 1). The subsequent step involves following Part II of Robinson Service Bulletin No 64 (Section 2). Compliance with these requirements is essential before further flight after 31 July 1990 and before the next inspection for issuing a Maintenance Release after 31 July 1990, or by 31 December 1990, whichever comes first (Section Compliance 1 and 2).
The obligations imposed by this AD include ensuring that the tail rotor pedal retaining clip is functional and that any issues are promptly addressed. Owners and operators must perform the actions specified in Robinson Service Bulletin No 64 to maintain the safety of the helicopter. This involves a thorough inspection of the retaining clip and, if necessary, removing the pedals and implementing the corrective actions outlined in the bulletin. Additionally, these parties must ensure that the compliance dates are met to avoid any non-compliance issues (Sections 1 and Compliance 1 and 2).
Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/R22/33 (10/90DM) can result in significant legal and safety consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not specify particular offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance with this directive within the provided text. However, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including the potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. Continued operation of a non-compliant helicopter could also result in severe safety risks, including accidents or incidents that could lead to criminal charges under aviation safety laws.