AD/AS 355/62 Amdt 1 BREEZE Electric Hoist (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/AS 355/62 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.

Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters

AD/AS 355/62 Amdt 1 BREEZE Electric Hoist 12/2005

Applicability:

Model AS 355 helicopters, versions F, F1, F2, and N, equipped with a BREEZE 450-lb electric hoist, part number BL 29700-23.

Requirement:

1.    Check the damper assembly spring compression and perform a dimensional check of the buffer of this assembly, in accordance with the instructions in paragraphs 2.B.1.a and 2.B.1.b of Eurocopter AS 355 Alert Service Bulletin No. 25.00.68.

2.    Perform a dimensional check of the damper assembly buffer, in accordance with the instructions in paragraph 2.B.1.b of the Requirement document.

3.    Check the hook in the up position, in accordance with the instructions in paragraph 2.B.2 of the Requirement document.

Note: DGAC AD F-2002-028-066 R1 refers.

Compliance:

1.    Unless already accomplished, before the next hoisting mission after 29 January 2002; and thereafter on each installation of a hoist on the helicopter.

2.    Every 50 hoisting cycles or at intervals not to exceed 3 months, whichever occurs first.

3.    During each hoisting mission, and each time the cable is in the up end-of-travel stop position.

The compliance times remain unchanged by this issue.

This Amendment becomes effective on 24 November 2005.

Background:

The DGAC requires certain actions in order to prevent any risk of hoist cable damage not being discovered in the event of a malfunction of the up end-of-travel cable stop mechanism.

Amendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the related DGAC AD, which converts the Alert Telex Requirement document into an Alert Service Bulletin with the same reference number and no change to technical content.

The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 29 January 2002.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

13 October 2005