COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Robinson R22 Series Helicopters
AD/R22/39 Upper Clutch Actuator Bearing 4/95
Applicability: All series R22 helicopters.
Requirement: Inspect the upper clutch actuator bearing housing to ensure that only an approved bearing has been installed in the assembly.
Replace any non approved bearing with an approved bearing.
Note: An approved bearing is one that has been identified in the aircraft IPC. Alternatively, one that has been approved by a CAR 36 delegate as a suitable replacement for the bearing specified in the IPC.
Compliance: At next inspection for issue of a maintenance release or by 30 June 1995, whichever occurs first. Thereafter, prior to installation of the upper clutch bearing housing.
Background: During investigation into a recent Robinson R22 helicopter accident it was confirmed that failure of an unauthorised bearing installed in the upper clutch actuator housing may have caused the accident.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, include Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The legislation was enacted to address critical safety issues in civil aviation, ensuring the maintenance and operation of aircraft meet stringent safety standards. The problem addressed in this particular directive, AD/R22/39, concerns the upper clutch actuator bearing in Robinson R22 series helicopters, which was identified as a potential cause of accidents if non-approved bearings were installed. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure that only approved bearings are used in the upper clutch actuator housing of these helicopters, thereby preventing accidents arising from bearing failure. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring inspection and replacement of bearings as specified, with the aim of enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation operations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandate the applicability of Airworthiness Directive AD/R22/39 specifically to all Robinson R22 series helicopters. This legislation is designed to address safety concerns by requiring the inspection and replacement of upper clutch actuator bearings in these helicopters. It applies to all entities operating these aircraft and mandates that the inspection and replacement be completed to ensure only approved bearings are used, as specified in the aircraft's IPC or approved by a CAR 36 delegate. Compliance with these directives must be achieved at the next inspection for a maintenance release or by 30 June 1995, whichever is earlier, and before the installation of the upper clutch bearing housing thereafter. The directive's geographic reach is national, affecting all operators within Australia. The legislation does not explicitly exclude any persons or entities from its application but focuses on ensuring the airworthiness of the specified helicopters by rectifying potential safety hazards identified in prior investigations.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, include a Schedule of Airworthiness Directives (AD/R22/39) pertaining to Robinson R22 Series Helicopters. This directive addresses the upper clutch actuator bearing and applies to all series R22 helicopters. The primary requirement (section 4/95) is to inspect the upper clutch actuator bearing housing to ensure that only an approved bearing is installed. If a non-approved bearing is found, it must be replaced with an approved bearing. An approved bearing is defined as one listed in the aircraft IPC (Illustrated Parts Catalogue) or one approved by a CAR 36 delegate as a suitable replacement for the bearing specified in the IPC. The directive mandates compliance either at the next inspection for the issue of a maintenance release or by 30 June 1995, whichever comes first. After this initial compliance, the inspection must occur prior to the installation of the upper clutch bearing housing.
The obligations imposed by this regulation on the parties and entities it governs are clear. Operators of R22 helicopters must ensure that the upper clutch actuator bearing is inspected and, if necessary, replaced with an approved bearing. This involves a thorough review of the installed bearing against the specifications provided in the aircraft IPC or approved by a CAR 36 delegate. Operators must also maintain records of these inspections and replacements, ensuring that they are performed in accordance with the set compliance deadlines. Furthermore, maintenance personnel must be adequately trained to recognise approved bearings and perform the necessary inspections and replacements to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with these provisions may result in significant consequences. While the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 do not explicitly detail the penalties for non-compliance with this directive, breaches of airworthiness regulations can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance results in an accident or endangers safety. The severity of the penalties will depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but the overarching goal is to ensure that all Robinson R22 helicopters are maintained to the highest safety standards to prevent accidents caused by bearing failure.