Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted to regulate civil aviation activities in Australia and ensure safety standards are met. One of the critical tools in this regulation is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). AD/S-76/70, issued on 13 November 2002, is one such directive aimed at addressing a specific safety concern identified in the Sikorsky S-76 Series Helicopters. The directive mandates an inspection of the main rotor spindle attachment bolt in certain models of the Sikorsky S-76A, S-76B, and S-76C helicopters, excluding those with specific serial numbers. This requirement arises from the discovery of improperly installed bolts during the production phase, which could lead to severe consequences such as reduced hub or bolt fatigue life, separation of the main rotor blade, and potential loss of control of the aircraft. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness of affected helicopters by correcting the unsafe condition within a specified timeframe.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety concerns regarding the main rotor spindle attachment bolt in specific Sikorsky S-76 series helicopters. The AD applies to Sikorsky S-76A, S-76B, and S-76C models, excluding those with certain serial numbers. The requirement is for an inspection to be conducted in accordance with the instructions detailed in Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin 76-65-52, dated 24 July 2001, with reference to FAA AD 2002-21-07 Amdt 39-12913. The compliance timeframe mandates that the inspection must be completed within 1,250 hours of time in service or within 2 years from 26 November 2002, whichever comes first, unless the inspection has already been performed. The AD becomes effective from 26 December 2002, following its notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 4 December 2002.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Airworthiness Directive (AD/S-76/70) pertain to the applicability of the directive to certain Sikorsky S-76 Series helicopters and the requirements for the inspection of the main rotor spindle attachment bolt. Specifically, the directive applies to S-76A, S-76B, and S-76C helicopters, excluding those with serial numbers 760501, or 760506 through 760515 (section 1). The requirement is to inspect the main rotor spindle attachment bolt in accordance with the instructions set out in Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin 76-65-52, dated 24 July 2001 (section 2). This inspection must be completed within 1,250 hours of time in service or within 2 years from 26 November 2002, whichever occurs first, unless the inspection has already been completed (section 3). The directive becomes effective on 26 December 2002 (section 4). The obligations and requirements imposed by this AD on the parties or entities it governs are centred around the inspection of the specified helicopters to ensure safety. The operators of the affected Sikorsky S-76 Series helicopters must ensure that the inspection of the main rotor spindle attachment bolt is conducted as per the stipulated bulletin. This involves adhering to the technical guidelines and standards outlined in the Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin 76-65-52. The compliance must be achieved within the specified timeframe of 1,250 flight hours or 2 years from the date of issuance of the AD, whichever is earlier. The AD does not specify who must perform the inspection, but it is implied that the operator or a qualified entity must undertake this task to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft. The consequences for breach of this Airworthiness Directive are not explicitly detailed in the text provided. However, under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, failure to comply with an Airworthiness Directive can lead to significant civil and criminal penalties. Typically, non-compliance with such directives can result in the grounding of the aircraft, which in turn can lead to financial losses for the operator and potential safety risks. Additionally, there can be enforcement actions taken by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which may include fines and other regulatory sanctions. The specific penalties would be determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in accordance with the relevant sections of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations.