AD/SUPP/2 Amdt 1 - Breeze Hoists - Deactivation

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation. One aspect of this is the regulation of supplementary equipment, including hoists, used in various aircraft. The specific legislative instrument F2006B07147 addresses the problem of inadvertent hoist cable cuts in helicopters, which have led to safety incidents. To mitigate this risk, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority issued Airworthiness Directive AD/SUPP/2, mandating the deactivation of Breeze Hoist systems in certain helicopters until further notice. This measure was introduced to enhance safety by preventing the unintentional operation of the hoist system, which could lead to accidents. Compliance with this directive is required before further flight, ensuring that the risk of hoist cable cuts is minimised. The policy objective behind this directive is to protect the safety of passengers and crew by addressing a known hazard associated with the operation of Breeze Hoist systems. By requiring the deactivation of these systems, the directive aims to prevent accidents until a safer modification, as outlined in AD/SUPP/3, can be implemented. This reflects the overarching goal of the Civil Aviation Regulations to maintain high safety standards in the aviation industry.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 107 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the deactivation of Breeze Hoists on certain helicopters. This directive impacts all Breeze Hoists that have not been modified in accordance with AD/SUPP/3, which are utilised with supplementary equipment kits for Bell, Agusta Bell, and Hughes helicopters, as well as potentially other aircraft manufacturers. The requirement mandates that these hoists be deactivated by pulling and locking the hoist control circuit breaker(s) to prevent inadvertent reset until further notice. Compliance with this directive must be achieved before any further flight after 29 April 1981, a measure prompted by multiple incidents of inadvertent hoist cable cuts in both civil and military helicopters within Australia. Additionally, AD/BELL 206/87 has been cancelled as a result of this directive, indicating a streamlined regulatory approach to managing the identified safety concerns.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 107, contain the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, including AD/SUPP/2 Amendment 1, which pertains to Breeze Hoists. This directive (12/81) applies to all Breeze Hoists that have not been modified in accordance with AD/SUPP/3. These hoists are used with supplementary equipment kits for Bell, Agusta Bell, and Hughes helicopters, and potentially by other aircraft manufacturers. The requirement under this directive is that until further notice, the Breeze Hoist system must be deactivated by pulling and locking the hoist control circuit breaker(s), ensuring it cannot be inadvertently reset. Compliance with this directive must be achieved before any further flight after 29 April 1981. The background to this directive includes a series of inadvertent hoist cable cuts in both civil and military helicopters in Australia, prompting the issuance of this directive to prevent further incidents. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose specific obligations on parties governed by the AD/SUPP/2 Amendment 1. Operators of helicopters equipped with Breeze Hoists must ensure that the hoist systems are deactivated as per the directive, meaning they must physically pull and lock the hoist control circuit breaker(s) to prevent any unintentional reactivation. This requirement must be met before any flight following the specified date of 29 April 1981. The regulations also mandate that operators remain compliant with subsequent directives, such as AD/SUPP/3, which may permit the reactivation of the hoist system once certain conditions are met. Furthermore, operators must stay informed about the cancellation of other related directives, such as AD/BELL 206/87, to avoid confusion and ensure adherence to the current safety measures. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, breaches of the requirements outlined in AD/SUPP/2 Amendment 1 can lead to various consequences. Failure to deactivate the Breeze Hoist system as mandated may result in safety hazards and non-compliance with airworthiness standards. Although the specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the text provided, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This may include the issuance of fines, enforcement notices, or in severe cases, the grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. Additionally, operators may face civil liability for any incidents resulting from non-compliance, which could include damages and compensation for injuries or property damage. Criminal charges may also be pursued in cases of gross negligence or willful disregard for safety regulations.