AD/R22/46 - MA-4-5 Carburettor

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, is a comprehensive set of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation in Australia, including aircraft operations, maintenance, and airworthiness. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these regulations pertains to Airworthiness Directives, which are legally enforceable rules related to the design, construction, maintenance, preventive maintenance, repair, and alteration of aircraft. The directive AD/R22/46 concerning Robinson R22 Series Helicopters was enacted to address an identified safety issue with the MA-4-5 carburettor and Carburettor Air Temperature (CAT) gauge in certain helicopters, specifically those with serial numbers ranging from 2571 through 2664. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of in-flight engine shutdown due to the mixture control being inadvertently placed in the idle cut position, which could lead to loss of control of the helicopter. The objective of this directive is to ensure the safety and airworthiness of affected helicopters by requiring the replacement of the specified components within a specified timeframe. The directive was issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is the body responsible for regulating the aviation industry in Australia, and aims to ensure that all aircraft meet the required safety standards. Compliance with this Airworthiness Directive is mandatory, with a requirement to replace the carburettor and CAT gauge within 50 hours of time in service from the effective date of the directive, which was 26 February 1998. The directive references relevant service bulletins and kits from Robinson Helicopter Company to guide the replacement process, ensuring that the modifications are carried out correctly and safely.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the safety standards for Robinson R22 Series Helicopters. This legislation applies to all Robinson R22 helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 2571 to 2664 that are equipped with an MA-4-5 carburettor and a Carburettor Air Temperature (CAT) gauge P/N C604-6. The directive mandates that these specific components be replaced in accordance with the requirements outlined in Robinson R-22 Service Bulletin 82 and Kit KI-114 Revision A, both dated March 1997. This directive applies on a national level within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that the specified helicopters meet safety standards to prevent in-flight engine shutdowns due to inadvertent placement of the mixture control in the idle cut position during manual leaning of the fuel/air mixture. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 50 hours of the effective date of the directive, which was 26 February 1998. This directive is an integral part of maintaining the airworthiness of the affected helicopters and ensuring the safety of all persons involved in civil aviation activities within Australia.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, specifically in the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Robinson R22 Series Helicopters, includes the directive AD/R22/46 MA-4-5 Carburettor 3/98. This directive applies to all helicopters with serial numbers 2571 through 2664 that are fitted with an MA-4-5 carburettor and a Carburettor Air Temperature (CAT) gauge P/N C604-6 (Section 1). The directive requires that these components be replaced in accordance with Robinson R-22 Service Bulletin 82, dated 03 March 1997, and Robinson Helicopter Company Kit KI-114 Revision A, dated 06 March 1997, unless they have already been replaced (Section 2). This replacement must be carried out within 50 hours of the helicopter being in service from the effective date of the directive, which is 26 February 1998 (Section 3). The directive imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of the affected helicopters. They must ensure that the identified components are replaced as per the outlined requirements within the specified timeframe. Failure to comply with the directive may result in the helicopter being deemed non-airworthy, potentially leading to operational restrictions or grounding of the aircraft (Section 4). The directive also references FAA AD 97-25-05 Amdt 39-10228, indicating that the directive is aligned with international safety standards and recommendations (Section 5). Failure to comply with the requirements of this airworthiness directive may lead to civil and criminal consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to take enforcement actions against non-compliance, including fines and potential prosecution. The maximum penalties for non-compliance can include substantial fines and imprisonment, reflecting the seriousness of the safety issue addressed by the directive. The directive aims to prevent in-flight engine shutdowns and loss of control, which could result in severe accidents (Section 6).