AD/A109/48 Amdt 1 Rescue Hoist Assembly (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A109/48 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 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.

Agusta A109 Series Helicopters

AD/A109/48 Amdt 1 Rescue Hoist Assembly 2/2006

Applicability:

All Model A109E helicopters equipped with rescue hoist, Agusta part number
109-0900-61 all dash numbers (vendor Breeze-Eastern part number BL-20200 series); and with Breeze-Eastern part number BL-12750 series crushable bumper assembly installed.

Requirement:

1.    Action in accordance with Agusta Technical Bulletin No. 109EP-31.

Note 1:  ENAC AD 2002-446 refers.

2.    Replace the part number BL-12750 series crushable bumper assembly in accordance with Agusta Technical Bulletin No. 109EP-62.

Note 2:  ENAC AD 2005-423 refers.

Compliance:

For Requirement 1:

a.     For Part I of the Requirement document: Before each flight when use of the rescue hoist is anticipated; until Requirement 2 is accomplished.

b.    For Part II of the Requirement document: During each in-flight operation of the rescue hoist; until 2 Requirement 2 is accomplished.

2.    Before 30 April 2006, unless already accomplished.

This Amendment becomes effective on 16 February 2006.

Background:

A report was received of a rescue hoist cable failure during the reeling-in operation.  Investigation revealed the cable fracture was due to a malfunction of the slow-down feature where the crushable bumper failed to function properly.  The crushable bumper functions as a secondary sacrificial safety device should the slow-down feature fail in the up direction.

Amendment 1 is issued in response to a new ENAC AD, which requires replacement of the crushable bumper assembly; which constitutes terminating action for the hoist operational restrictions.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

21 December 2005