COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Sikorsky S-76 Series Helicopters
AD/S-76/47 Engine and Engine Compartment Drain Lines 9/87
Applicability: All model S76A helicopters.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 76-71-9. Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 31 August 1987, inspect in accordance with
Section 2 Para A of Requirement document.
Background: Some sections of the combustion chamber and exhaust casing lower drain lines have cracked after extended periods of service.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which were enacted by the Australian Parliament, constitute a comprehensive framework for ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 of these Regulations, addressing the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, provides detailed instructions for maintaining the airworthiness of various aircraft, including Sikorsky S-76 Series Helicopters. The legislation was introduced to address the problem of structural integrity in certain components of these helicopters, particularly the engine and engine compartment drain lines, which have been known to crack after extended periods of service. The policy objective behind these directives is to ensure the ongoing safety of flight operations by mandating regular inspections and compliance with manufacturer-specific service bulletins, such as Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 76-71-9.
This particular legislative instrument, F2006B06726, focuses on Sikorsky S-76A helicopters, requiring that specific actions be taken within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1987. The directive necessitates an inspection in accordance with Section 2 Para A of the Requirement document to address the identified issue of cracked drain lines. The aim is to prevent potential safety hazards that could arise from these structural failures, thereby maintaining the high safety standards mandated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, addresses safety directives for various aircraft, including the Sikorsky S-76 series helicopters. Within this regulatory framework, the directive AD/S-76/47 pertains to the inspection and potential rectification of engine and engine compartment drain lines in all model S76A helicopters. This directive applies to all such helicopters currently in operation and mandates compliance with the requirements outlined in Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 76-71-9. The directive necessitates an inspection within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1987 to ensure that any issues, such as cracks in certain sections of the combustion chamber and exhaust casing lower drain lines, are identified and addressed. This requirement is intended to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft and prevent potential operational hazards.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Sikorsky S-76 Series Helicopters, specifically AD/S-76/47, mandate that all model S76A helicopters must comply with Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 76-71-9 (Section 1). This directive applies to the inspection and potential repair of the engine and engine compartment drain lines (Section 2 Para A). The requirement necessitates that the inspection and any necessary corrective action be carried out within 100 hours of time in service following 31 August 1987 (Section 9/87).
The obligations imposed by this legislation on the parties or entities it governs include ensuring that the specified inspection and maintenance activities are conducted in a timely manner. Operators of the S76A helicopters must ensure that their maintenance teams are adequately trained to carry out the required inspections and follow the guidelines set out in the Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin. The directive also places the responsibility on the aircraft owner or operator to maintain accurate records of the inspections and any repairs performed (Section 2 Para A).
The legislation does not explicitly outline specific offences or penalties for non-compliance with AD/S-76/47. However, failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directives can lead to severe civil and criminal consequences under broader aviation safety regulations. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has the authority to issue enforcement actions, which can include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and other administrative measures. Additionally, failure to adhere to safety directives can result in safety risks, which may lead to further legal repercussions if an incident occurs due to non-compliance (Sections 9/87 and 2 Para A).