AD/GBK 117/23 Time Limits / Maintenance Checks Airworthiness Limitations (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 BK 117 Series Helicopters

AD/GBK 117/23 Time Limits / Maintenance
Checks - Airworthiness Limitations 6/2009 DM

Applicability:

Model MBB-BK 117 C-2 helicopters, all serial numbers.

Requirement:

1.    Amend the approved aircraft maintenance programme to incorporate the structural, component and miscellaneous airworthiness limitations contained in Eurocopter Deutschland (ECD) Master Servicing Manual (MSM) MBB BK 117 C-2 Chapter 04 at Revision 09, or later EASA approved revision.

2.    Thereafter, accomplish the tasks described in ECD MSM MBB BK 117 C-2 Chapter 04 at Revision 09, or later EASA approved revision.

Compliance:

1.    Within 30 days after 3 April 2009, unless already accomplished.

2.    Within the thresholds and intervals indicated in the Requirement document.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 April 2009.

Background:

Based on the result of the fatigue life evaluation for parts of the Main Rotor Head, the Main Transmission, the Vertical Mount, the Tail Rotor Drive Shaft, the Intermediate Gearbox, the Tail Rotor Transmission, the Engine Mounts, the Inlet Barrier Filter and the Tail Boom, ECD has revised the related life limits and/or inspection intervals for these components and their constituent parts.

Failure of any of these components or their constituent parts could lead to loss of control of the helicopter.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

2 April 2009