COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Robinson R22 Series Helicopters
AD/R22/44 V Belt Upper Sheave 9/96
Applicability: All R22 helicopters fitted with P/N A170-1 or -2 Revision I or J sheaves. These sheaves were originally installed on R22 helicopters S/N 1441 through 2096 and on overhauled R22s completed from May 1990 through May 1992.
Requirement: Unless previously carried out action in accordance with Robinson Service Bulletin SB-77.
Note: FAA AD 96-09-29 Amdt 39-9605 refers.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service from 15 August 1996 or by 20 November 1996, whichever occurs first.
Background: The manufacturer has advised that cracked sheaves have been reported and, if not detected in time, failure of a cracked sheave could lead to a catastrophic failure of the drive system.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, provide a comprehensive regulatory framework governing civil aviation in Australia, including specific directives to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/R22/44, pertains to the Robinson R22 Series Helicopters and addresses the issue of cracked V-belt upper sheaves in certain helicopter models. Enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority under the authority granted by the Civil Aviation Act 1988, this directive aims to mitigate the risk of catastrophic failure in the drive system of affected helicopters by mandating the replacement or inspection of specified sheaves. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by preventing potential mechanical failures that could compromise flight safety.
The directive applies to all Robinson R22 helicopters fitted with specific sheaves (P/N A170-1 or -2 Revision I or J) originally installed on helicopters with serial numbers 1441 through 2096 and on overhauled helicopters completed between May 1990 and May 1992. The requirement to comply with this directive must be fulfilled within 100 hours of the helicopter's time in service from 15 August 1996 or by 20 November 1996, whichever is sooner, unless the specified action has already been taken in accordance with Robinson Service Bulletin SB-77. This directive aligns with the overarching goal of ensuring the highest standards of aviation safety and operational reliability.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the Robinson R22 Series Helicopters, mandates certain safety requirements for all R22 helicopters that are fitted with P/N A170-1 or -2 Revision I or J sheaves. These particular sheaves were initially installed on helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 1441 through 2096 and were also used on overhauled R22s that were completed between May 1990 and May 1992. The directive aims to ensure the safety of the helicopters by addressing the risk of catastrophic drive system failure due to cracked sheaves, a concern identified by the manufacturer. Compliance with the directive is mandatory unless the action specified in Robinson Service Bulletin SB-77 has already been carried out. Operators must ensure that the required modifications or inspections are completed within 100 hours of time in service from 15 August 1996, or by 20 November 1996, whichever comes first. The scope of this regulation is limited to the specific helicopters identified and does not extend to other aircraft or components. The regulation applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring a uniform approach to the identified safety issue.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, introduces an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the Robinson R22 Series Helicopters (AD/R22/44). This directive applies to all R22 helicopters fitted with P/N A170-1 or -2 Revision I or J sheaves (section 39-105). These particular sheaves were originally installed on R22 helicopters with serial numbers 1441 through 2096 and on those overhauled from May 1990 through May 1992. The directive requires compliance unless the helicopter has already undergone the action specified in Robinson Service Bulletin SB-77. Additionally, it refers to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) AD 96-09-29 Amendment 39-9605.
The key requirement of this directive is that compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service from 15 August 1996, or by 20 November 1996, whichever comes first. This timeline underscores the urgency and critical nature of addressing the issue to prevent potential catastrophic failures of the drive system. The directive is grounded in the manufacturer's reports of cracked sheaves, which, if left unaddressed, could lead to severe consequences. Ensuring compliance with this directive is crucial for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the specified helicopters.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and stringent. Operators of the affected helicopters must inspect and, if necessary, replace the specified sheaves within the mandated timeframe. This involves verifying the helicopter's serial number and overhaul completion date to determine applicability, reviewing any previous service bulletins or directives, and executing the required actions to mitigate the risk of drive system failure. Failure to comply with the directive not only risks the safety of the aircraft but also potentially exposes operators to regulatory penalties.
In terms of consequences for non-compliance, while the specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed in the provided text, breaches of Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to significant repercussions. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges in cases where negligence or willful disregard of safety regulations is demonstrated. The severity of these penalties reflects the importance of adhering to airworthiness directives to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety.