COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Bell UH-1 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/UH-1/16 Main Rotor Mast P/N 204-011-450-001 & -005 10/2000
DM
Applicability: Models UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, UH-1P, and HH-1K, TH-
1F, TH-1L, and Southwest Florida Aviation SW204, SW204HP, SW205, and SW205A-1 helicopters with a main rotor mast assembly part number 204-011-450- 001 or -005 installed.
Requirement: Remove the main rotor mast assembly from service. Replace with a serviceable mast assembly that is neither a 204-011-450-001 nor a -005.
Note: FAA AD 2000-15-21 refers.
Compliance: Within 25 hours time in service after 30 August 2000.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 August 2000.
Background: The FAA received a report of a BHTI-manufactured Model UH-1B accident that was attributed to fatigue failure of a thin-walled mast installed on the helicopter.
Steve Swift
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 24 August 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 30 August 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, aim to ensure the safety of civil aviation within the country. One particular aspect of these regulations, encapsulated in Part 39 - 105, pertains to the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These directives are critical in addressing specific safety concerns that may arise in aircraft or aeronautical products. The AD for Bell UH-1 Series Helicopters, issued in 2000, is an example of such measures, targeting the identified unsafe condition related to the main rotor mast assembly of certain UH-1 models. The primary objective of this directive, as stated in the text, is to ensure that the unsafe condition is rectified by removing and replacing the affected mast assembly within a specified timeframe, thereby enhancing the overall safety of these helicopters in service.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to specific models of Bell UH-1 Series helicopters, namely the UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, UH-1P, HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, and Southwest Florida Aviation SW204, SW204HP, SW205, and SW205A-1, which are equipped with a main rotor mast assembly part number 204-011-450-001 or -005. This directive mandates the removal of the specified main rotor mast assembly from service and its replacement with a serviceable mast assembly that is neither a 204-011-450-001 nor a -005. The requirement must be fulfilled within 25 hours of the helicopter being in service after the directive's effective date of 30 August 2000. The directive references FAA AD 2000-15-21 for further context, and it was issued due to a reported accident involving a fatigue failure of a thin-walled mast installed on a Model UH-1B. This Airworthiness Directive was gazetted on 30 August 2000 and is applicable within the national jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, include a specific Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning Bell UH-1 Series Helicopters, identified as AD/UH-1/16. This AD (section 105) mandates specific actions to ensure the airworthiness of helicopters with certain main rotor mast assembly part numbers, namely 204-011-450-001 and -005. The directive applies to Models UH-1A, UH-1B, UH-1E, UH-1F, UH-1H, UH-1L, UH-1P, HH-1K, TH-1F, TH-1L, and Southwest Florida Aviation SW204, SW204HP, SW205, and SW205A-1 helicopters equipped with these particular mast assemblies.
The requirement under this AD (section 1) is to remove the main rotor mast assembly from service and replace it with a serviceable mast assembly that is neither a 204-011-450-001 nor a -005. This action must be carried out within 25 hours of the helicopter's time in service after the AD's effective date, which is 30 August 2000. The AD references FAA AD 2000-15-21 for further information and details.
The obligations imposed by this AD on the relevant parties, such as helicopter operators and maintenance providers, include ensuring that the specified main rotor mast assemblies are inspected, removed, and replaced within the stipulated timeframe. This involves adhering to the instructions provided in the directive and ensuring that the replacement mast assemblies meet the required standards of airworthiness. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in serious safety risks and potential non-compliance with civil aviation regulations.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can lead to serious consequences, including potential safety hazards and non-compliance with civil aviation regulations. The AD was issued due to a reported accident attributed to fatigue failure of a thin-walled mast, highlighting the critical nature of the directive. The potential penalties for non-compliance with ADs under the Civil Aviation Regulations can include fines and other regulatory actions, underscoring the importance of adhering to the stipulated requirements.