AD/As 355/67 Amdt 2 Main Gearbox Lubrication Pump (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 355/67 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (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 355/67 Amdt 2 Main Gearbox Lubrication Pump 2/2005

Applicability:

AS 355 E, F, F1, F2 and N model helicopters, equipped with main gearbox (MGB) lubrication pumps Part Number (P/N) 355A 32-0700-01, with serial number (S/N) 5731 and subsequent;

and

with serial number less than S/N 5731,if they have been overhauled or repaired after 1 June 1995.

Requirement:

Requirement 1:  Inspect the main gearbox (MGB) magnetic plug and MGB oil sight in accordance with Paragraph 2.B.1 of Eurocopter AS 355 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 05.00.40, or later DGAC approved revision.

Requirement 2:  Comply with Para 2.B.2. of ASB 05.00.40.

Requirement 3:  Carry out MGB inspection in accordance with 2.B.2 and/or 2.B.3 of ASB No. 05.00.40.

Requirement 1 of this Directive may be carried out and certified by the pilot provided the pilot has completed an approved training program.

Note 1:  DGAC AD F-2002-331-071 R2 (EASA reference No 2004-11115 dated 17 November 2004) refers.

Compliance:

Requirement 1:  Unless previously accomplished within 10 hours time in service after this Directive becomes effective.  Thereafter repetitively following the last flight of the day, but no later than 10 hours time in service since last inspection.

Requirement 2:  As required after complying with Requirement 1.

Requirement 3:  Before installation of a lubrication pump on a helicopter.

This Amendment becomes effective on 17 February 2005.

Background:

This amendment reflects updated information from the regulatory authority and the manufacturer.  This Directive was originally issued to require the daily inspection of the helicopter main gearbox for evidence of impending failure of the gearbox lubrication pump.  The requirement reflects four reports of evidence of lubrication pump deterioration traced to a manufacturing defect.  Failure of the lubrication pump could result in the loss of gearbox drive train for one or both engines.

This revision limits the effectivity by incorporating additional details in the applicability statement.

The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 10 July 2002.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

23 December 2004

The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 January 2005.