COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Robinson R22 Series Helicopters
AD/R22/42 Main Rotor Blades 8/96 TX
Applicability: All Model R22 Series Helicopters
Requirement: 1. Verify from the Aircraft Log Book or records that the Main Rotor Blade serial numbers are the same as installed:
(a) by the aircraft manufacturer at the time of aircraft manufacture or overhaul; or
(b) as replacement blades purchased either directly from the aircraft manufacturer, or from the aircraft manufacturer via a Australian Robinson Service Centre.
No further action is necessary if the blades were installed on the aircraft by the aircraft manufacturer, or the blades were purchased directly from the aircraft manufacturer or via a Australian Robinson Service Centre.
8130-3 Airworthiness Approval Tag (see CAAP 42W-1(0)) details and all subsequent blade time in service as recorded in the aircraft records.
If this process cannot be followed completely and the actual blade time in service not positively established, the blades must be removed from service before further flight.
3. If the Main Rotor Blades fitted are serial numbers 2657 or 2653 they must be removed from service before further flight.
4. Details of removed Main Rotor Blades are to be reported to CASA by submitting a Major Defect Report.
5. Retain removed Main Rotor Blades as required by Civil Aviation Regulation 52B. Compliance: 10 June 1996.
Background: The New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has advised that they have been investigating the supply of unapproved parts since a fatal helicopter accident in October 1995 near Opotiki, New Zealand.
CASA has been advised by the New Zealand CAA that documentation indicates that Cherry Air Specialties of Torrance, California, USA, have exported time expired Robinson Main Rotor Blades to New Zealand.
This directive has been raised following New Zealand CAA AD DCA/R22/30 to require authentication of the time in service of the Main Rotor Blades of Robinson R22 helicopters fitted to Australian registered aircraft.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39, Section 105, contains an Airworthiness Directive (AD/R22/42) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address a critical safety issue identified with the Robinson R22 series helicopters. This directive was enacted following a fatal accident in New Zealand in 1995, where unapproved parts were suspected to have contributed to the crash. The directive aims to ensure the integrity and safety of the main rotor blades by verifying their authenticity and service time. The policy objective is to prevent the use of potentially unsafe parts in Australian registered aircraft, thereby enhancing flight safety and public trust in aviation operations. The directive requires operators to verify the serial numbers of the main rotor blades against records and remove any blades that do not meet the specified criteria, ensuring that only approved parts are used in service.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates that all Model R22 Series Helicopters must comply with Airworthiness Directive AD/R22/42 concerning the main rotor blades. This directive applies to all helicopters of the Robinson R22 Series, requiring operators to verify that the main rotor blade serial numbers match those recorded in the aircraft log book or as installed by the manufacturer or authorised service centres. This verification ensures that the blades either were installed by the manufacturer during the aircraft’s original manufacture or overhaul or were purchased as replacements directly from the manufacturer or via an authorised Australian Robinson Service Centre. If the serial numbers cannot be confirmed or the actual blade time in service is not established, the blades must be removed from service before further flight. Additionally, if the blades are identified as serial numbers 2657 or 2653, they must be removed from service regardless of other factors. Operators must report the details of any removed main rotor blades to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) by submitting a Major Defect Report, and the removed blades must be retained in accordance with Civil Aviation Regulation 52B. This directive, effective from 10 June 1996, was issued following an investigation by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority into the supply of unapproved parts, prompted by a fatal helicopter accident in New Zealand involving a Robinson R22 helicopter.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, which is a legislative instrument concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, includes specific requirements for the Robinson R22 series helicopters. Particularly, AD/R22/42 focuses on the main rotor blades of these helicopters. According to section 1, it is mandatory to verify that the main rotor blade serial numbers match those recorded in the Aircraft Log Book or other records, either from the original installation by the aircraft manufacturer or from replacement blades procured directly from the manufacturer or through an authorised Australian Robinson Service Centre. If this verification cannot be completed, or if the rotor blades have been in service for an unestablished period, they must be removed before further flights. Additionally, section 3 specifies that rotor blades with serial numbers 2657 or 2653 must be removed from service regardless of the verification status. Section 4 mandates that details of any removed blades be reported to CASA via a Major Defect Report, and section 5 requires that the removed blades be retained as stipulated by Civil Aviation Regulation 52B. Compliance with these directives is required by 10 June 1996.
The obligations imposed on parties governed by these regulations include ensuring that the serial numbers of the main rotor blades are verified against the Aircraft Log Book or relevant records, and confirming that any replacement blades were sourced directly from the manufacturer or through an authorised service centre. Should the verification process be incomplete or if the blades in question are serial numbers 2657 or 2653, the blades must be removed from service. Furthermore, it is required that any removed blades be reported to CASA and retained as per the stipulated regulations. The directive reflects CASA's response to information from the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regarding the supply of unapproved parts, which was brought to light after a fatal accident in October 1995.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive can result in significant consequences. The primary risk is the potential for compromised safety, as unverified or time-expired main rotor blades may lead to catastrophic failures during flight. Section 2 of the directive specifies that if the rotor blades cannot be verified or if they are of the specified serial numbers, they must be removed from service. Additionally, there is a requirement to report the removal of any main rotor blades to CASA. Non-compliance could also lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which may include fines or other penalties as stipulated under relevant civil aviation regulations. The maximum penalties for such breaches are not explicitly stated in the directive but can be substantial under the broader framework of civil aviation safety legislation.