COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Robinson R44 Series Helicopters
AD/R44/11
Amdt 1
Cyclic Control Pilot’s Grip Assembly 1/2000
Applicability: Model R44 helicopters, serial numbers 0001 through 0159, except 0143, 0150, and 0156, with cyclic control pilot’s grip assembly, part number (P/N) A756-6 Revision N or prior, installed.
Requirement: Remove the grip assembly, P/N A756-6 Revision A through N, and replace it with a serviceable grip assembly other than P/N A756-6 Revision A through N, in accordance with KI-112 R44 Pilot’s Grip Assembly Upgrade Kit instructions, dated 20 December 1996.
Note: FAA AD 99-23-01 Amdt 39-11397 refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, within 25 hours time in service after 23 November 1998, or before 23 December 1998, whichever occurs first.
The compliance of the original issue of this Directive remains unchanged for this issue.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 31 December 1999.
Background: The FAA received a report of a crack in the welded corner of a grip assembly. The actions required by this Directive are intended to prevent use of a grip assembly that may crack, resulting in failure of the grip assembly and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a new FAA AD which corrects an error in the specified part number of the grips affected.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 23 November 1998.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, include specific airworthiness directives that address safety issues with particular aircraft. One such directive, AD/R44/11 Amendment 1, pertains to the Robinson R44 series helicopters, specifically those with certain serial numbers and a particular cyclic control pilot's grip assembly part number. This directive was introduced to address a safety concern identified with a potential crack in the welded corner of the grip assembly, which could lead to loss of control of the helicopter. The primary objective is to ensure the continued safety of these aircraft by requiring the replacement of the affected grip assembly. This amendment was made in response to an error in the original directive's specified part number, ensuring that the correct components are identified and replaced to mitigate any safety risks.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, governs the applicability and compliance requirements for certain models of helicopters, including the Robinson R44 Series. This legislation applies to Model R44 helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 0001 through 0159, excluding serial numbers 0143, 0150, and 0156, and those equipped with a specific cyclic control pilot’s grip assembly part number (P/N) A756-6 Revision N or earlier. The directive mandates that these grip assemblies must be removed and replaced with a serviceable grip assembly, other than P/N A756-6 Revision A through N, following the instructions outlined in KI-112 R44 Pilot’s Grip Assembly Upgrade Kit dated 20 December 1996. Compliance is required within 25 hours of time in service after 23 November 1998 or before 23 December 1998, whichever comes first. The directive aims to prevent potential cracks in the grip assembly that could lead to a loss of control of the helicopter. This Airworthiness Directive became effective on 31 December 1999, with Amendment 1 issued to correct an error in the specified part number from the original directive issued on 23 November 1998.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, establish safety directives for aviation operations in Australia. Under this part, Section 39.105 pertains to Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These directives, such as AD/R44/11 Amendment 1 for the Robinson R44 Series Helicopters, outline specific requirements for maintaining the airworthiness of certain aircraft. Section 39.105(1) mandates that operators of affected aircraft must comply with these directives to ensure continued safe operation.
AD/R44/11 Amendment 1 (Section 1/2000) applies to Robinson R44 helicopters with specific serial numbers and a particular cyclic control pilot's grip assembly. The directive requires the removal and replacement of the grip assembly part number A756-6 Revision N or earlier with a serviceable alternative, following the instructions provided in KI-112 R44 Pilot's Grip Assembly Upgrade Kit dated 20 December 1996. Compliance must occur within 25 hours of time in service after 23 November 1998 or before 23 December 1998, whichever comes first. This directive is in response to a reported crack in the welded corner of a grip assembly, aiming to prevent potential loss of control due to grip assembly failure.
Operators and owners of the specified Robinson R44 helicopters are obligated to follow these directives strictly. They must ensure that the specified parts are replaced within the mandated timeframe to maintain compliance with civil aviation safety standards. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to serious safety risks, as the directive is designed to prevent potentially catastrophic failures in the aircraft's control systems.
Failure to comply with the provisions of AD/R44/11 Amendment 1 may result in civil penalties. Section 39.105(2) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 stipulates that non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the affected aircraft. The specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the legislative instrument but are typically severe, reflecting the critical nature of airworthiness directives. Operators are thus strongly advised to adhere to these requirements to avoid any legal or safety repercussions.