Ad/Ecureuil/113 - Engine Controls - Twist Grip Assembly (Cth)

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 39.001(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 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters

AD/ECUREUIL/113 Engine Controls - Twist Grip Assembly 12/2005 DM

Applicability:

EC 130 B4 helicopters before embodiment of MOD 073773, fitted with twist grip assembly PN 350A27-5209-00, PN 350A27-5209-01 or PN 350A27-5209-02.

Requirement:

Carry out a functional check of the twist grip assembly and check its condition in accordance with paragraph 2.B.2. of Eurocopter EC 130 Alert Telex (AT) No. 05A003 or later DGAC approved revision.

Note:  DGAC AD F-2005-145 EASA reference No 2005-6136 dated 9 August 2005 refers.

Compliance:

No later than within 30 flying hours after the effective date of this Directive, unless already carried out during the previous "100 flying hour or 12 month" inspection, then at intervals not exceeding 110 flying hours; and

Each time work is carried out in the area of the twist grip assembly, which may lead to ingress of foreign bodies (e.g.: chips).

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 26 September 2005.

Background:

This Airworthiness Directive is issued following two reports of twist grip jamming in the "IDLE" position.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

19 September 2005