AD/S-PUMA/56 Amdt 2 Hoist Plate Front Attachment (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/S-PUMA/56 Amdt 1 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 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters

AD/S-PUMA/56 Amdt 2 Hoist Plate Front Attachment 10/2007

Applicability:

Models AS 332 C, C1, L, L1, and L2 helicopters, all serial numbers; equipped with a single or dual hoist plate, all part numbers as listed in paragraph 1.A.2. of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AS 332 No. 25.01.56, or later EASA approved revision, and without MOD 0726405 installed.

Requirement:

1.    Check the hoist plate assembly for correct safetying in accordance with paragraph 2.B.2. of Eurocopter Alert Telex No. 05.00.64.

2.    Check the hoist plate nut for correct tightness in accordance with paragraph 2.B.3. of Eurocopter Alert Telex No. 05.00.64.

3.    Modify the hoist front plate and then perform ground functional testing of the hoist installation in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in paragraph 2.B. of ASB AS 332 No. 25.01.56, or later EASA approved revision.

4.    Modify parts held as spares in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in paragraph 2.B.5 of ASB AS 332 No. 25.01.56, or later EASA approved revision.

Note:  EASA AD 2007-0105 (corrected 14 June 2007), refers.

Compliance:

1.    Within 10 flight hours after 1 December 2004.

2.    After compliance with Requirement 1, and thereafter at each ALF-check until modified in accordance with Requirement 3 or 4, as applicable.

3.    Unless already accomplished, within 3 months after 27 September 2007.

4.    Before installation on a helicopter, but no later than 3 months after
27 September 2007.

The compliance times for Requirement 1 and 2 remain unchanged by this issue of the Directive.

This Amendment becomes effective on 27 September 2007.

Background:

The manufacturer received a report of loss of the front attachment of a hoist plate, which was discovered during a flight with no hoisting requirement.  Investigation revealed the front attachment loss was due to inadequate safetying of the nut with the lockwasher.

Amendment 1 required modification of the hoist plate.

Amendment 2 is issued in response to a corrected issue of the related EASA AD, which corrects a typographical error of the service bulletin number referenced in Requirement 3 and 4.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

14 August 2007