AD/S-76/53 - Doors - Window Frame

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, establish comprehensive safety standards for civil aviation, including the operation of aircraft and the maintenance of airworthiness. A significant update to these regulations was introduced through the Legislative Instrument F2006B06729, which focuses on the Sikorsky S-76 series helicopters. This specific regulation was introduced to address safety concerns related to the window frame of the S-76A and S-76B series aircraft, particularly the risk of screws and/or rivets securing the mounts for the window trim scoring the upper door lock control rod, which could compromise the integrity and safety of the aircraft. The policy objective is to ensure that all affected aircraft comply with the specified requirements to prevent such incidents, thereby enhancing the overall safety of civil aviation operations in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within PART 39 - 105 and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, apply to all S-76A and S-76B series Sikorsky helicopters. This regulation mandates that operators of these aircraft must adhere to the requirements outlined in Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin 76-52-12, which addresses the issue of screws and/or rivets securing the mounts for the window trim scoring the upper door lock control rod. Compliance with this directive is imperative and must be completed before the issue of the next Maintenance Release after 3 November 1988. The regulation applies nationally across Australia and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring that the specified aircraft meet the necessary safety standards to mitigate potential risks associated with the identified issue.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate the compliance with Airworthiness Directive (AD) S-76/53 concerning Sikorsky S-76 Series Helicopters. This directive pertains to the doors, particularly the window frame, of all S-76A and S-76B series aircraft (Regulation 39.105(1)). The primary requirement outlined in this directive is that actions must be taken in accordance with Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin 76-52-12. This action must be completed prior to the issue of the next Maintenance Release following 3 November 1988 (Regulation 39.105(2)). The directive is prompted by incidents where screws and/or rivets securing the mounts for the window trim have scored the upper door lock control rod, indicating a potential safety hazard (Regulation 39.105(3)). Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, the key obligations imposed on the operators and maintainers of S-76A and S-76B series aircraft include ensuring that all necessary actions as specified in Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin 76-52-12 are implemented before the next Maintenance Release following the specified date (Regulation 39.105(2)). Operators and maintainers must verify that the screws and rivets securing the window frame are properly installed and do not cause any damage to the upper door lock control rod. This involves a thorough inspection and, if necessary, the replacement or adjustment of the mounting hardware to prevent any future damage (Regulation 39.105(4)). Documentation of compliance with these requirements must be maintained and made available for inspection by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (Regulation 39.105(5)). Failure to comply with the provisions of AD S-76/53 may result in civil penalties. According to the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can lead to enforcement actions by CASA. The penalties for non-compliance may include fines and, in severe cases, the grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are completed (Regulation 39.105(6)). The maximum penalty for contravening these regulations is set out in the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which includes fines up to $222,200 for individuals and up to $1,111,000 for corporations, along with potential imprisonment terms (Regulation 39.105(7)). Continuous non-compliance or repeated breaches may also lead to further enforcement actions, including the suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness (Regulation 39.105(8)).