COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Robinson R44 Series Helicopters
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
AD/R44/15 Sprag Clutch 7/2000
Applicability: Model R44 helicopters serial number 0001 through 0541 inclusive, 0543, 0550, 0556
and 0565.
Requirement: 1. Examine sprag clutch for S/N applicability. Replace any sprag clutch with S/N 0003 through 0505 inclusive in accordance with the procedures detailed in Robinson R44 Service Bulletin SB-32 Part B paragraph 1 to 5 inclusive.
Note 1: Robinson R44 SB-36 expands affected clutch S/N range to include S/Nos 0453 through 0505.
2. Remove the pink page Special Pilot Caution covering autorotation with a possible defective sprag clutch from the Normal Procedures Section of the R44 flight manual.
Note 2: FAA AD 2000-08-04 Amendment 39-11690 and FAA AD 99-07-18 refers
Compliance: 1. Unless previously carried out, within 30 calendar days or 50 hours time in service, whichever occurs first, from the effective date of this Directive.
2. Upon accomplishment of Requirement 1.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 13 July 2000.
Background: Robinson Helicopter Co has advised that several sprag clutches, one from an accident aircraft, have been returned with cracked sprag ends. To prevent sprag clutch failure with possible loss of main rotor RPM this Directive mandates replacement of the sprag clutch assembly.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 May 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 June 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, provide a comprehensive framework for the regulation of civil aviation in Australia, addressing various aspects including safety standards, licensing, and operational requirements. One of the specific measures under this legislation is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issuing Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure aircraft and aeronautical products meet safety standards. For instance, AD/R44/15 pertains to Robinson R44 Series Helicopters, specifically targeting serial numbers 0001 through 0541, 0543, 0550, 0556, and 0565. This directive was introduced to address the identified unsafe condition of the sprag clutch assemblies, which had shown signs of cracking and potential failure, thereby risking the loss of main rotor RPM. The policy objective of such directives is to enhance aviation safety by mandating corrective actions, such as the replacement of defective sprag clutches, to mitigate identified hazards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs airworthiness directives under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of the Commonwealth of Australia. This legislation applies to all aircraft and aeronautical products within the Australian jurisdiction, including Robinson R44 Series Helicopters as exemplified in Airworthiness Directive AD/R44/15. This particular AD targets Robinson R44 helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 0001 through 0541 inclusive, 0543, 0550, 0556, and 0565. The directive mandates specific actions to ensure the airworthiness of the affected helicopters, such as examining and replacing the sprag clutch for certain serial numbers and removing a specific page from the flight manual. Compliance with this AD must be achieved within 30 calendar days or 50 hours of time in service, whichever occurs first, from the effective date of the directive. The AD is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, extending its reach to ensure safety and compliance among helicopter operators and owners within the specified serial number range.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) in question, specifically AD/R44/15, pertains to the sprag clutch of Robinson R44 series helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 0001 to 0541 inclusive, as well as specific serial numbers 0543, 0550, 0556, and 0565 (s.1). The directive mandates that the sprag clutch of applicable helicopters must be examined and, if necessary, replaced according to the outlined procedures. This is to address the issue of cracked sprag ends which can lead to failure and loss of main rotor RPM, as indicated in the background section. The directive requires that any sprag clutch with serial numbers between 0003 and 0505 inclusive must be replaced, with the replacement procedures detailed in Robinson R44 Service Bulletin SB-32 Part B paragraphs 1 to 5. It is also noted that the affected clutch serial number range has been expanded to include numbers 0453 through 0505, as indicated by Robinson R44 SB-36. Additionally, the pink page Special Pilot Caution covering autorotation with a possible defective sprag clutch must be removed from the Normal Procedures Section of the R44 flight manual.
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties governed by it. First, it requires an examination of the sprag clutch for the specified serial numbers. If the serial number falls within the applicable range, the sprag clutch must be replaced following the detailed procedures in the referenced service bulletin. Second, the pink page Special Pilot Caution must be removed from the flight manual as specified. These actions must be carried out within a specified timeframe: within 30 calendar days or 50 hours of time in service, whichever occurs first, from the effective date of the directive (s.2).
Failure to comply with the AD may result in various consequences. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the directive, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to serious civil or criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the non-compliance and its impact on aviation safety. The directive itself becomes effective on 13 July 2000, and compliance must be achieved by the stipulated timeframe to avoid any potential legal repercussions.