AD/S-Puma/69 Engine Controls Fuel Shut off Lever (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 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters

AD/S-PUMA/69 Engine Controls - Fuel Shut off Lever 5/2007 TX

Applicability:

Eurocopter AS 332 C, C1, L, L1 and L2 model helicopters.

Requirement:

1.    Inspect the fuel shut-off controls for correct operation, in accordance with Para 2.B.1 of Eurocopter AS 332 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 76.00.04 original issue dated 21 March 2007 or later EASA approved revisions.

2.    If there is no hard point in the fuel shut-off controls, repeat the inspection per Requirement 1 of this AD till Requirement 4 is complied with.

Note 1:  Compliance with Requirement 4 of this AD is the terminating action for repetitive inspections in accordance with Requirement 2 of this AD.

3.    If there is a hard point in one of the fuel shut-off controls, comply with Requirement 4 of this AD.

4.    Inspect, and grease-lubricate the tangential gearboxes in accordance with Para 2.B.2 of ASB No. 76.00.04 or later EASA approved revisions.

Note 2:  EASA Emergency Airworthiness Directive AD No. 2007-0082-E dated
27 March 2007 refers.

Compliance:

Helicopters which are 4 years old and older on the effective date of this AD:

1.    Within 15 Flight Hours (FH), after the effective date of this AD.

2.    At intervals not to exceed 50 FH.

3.    Before further flight.

4.    Within 6 months, after the inspection per Requirement 1 of this AD.

Helicopters which are less than 4 years old on the effective date of this AD:

1.    At the latest when the helicopter is 4 years old.

2.    At intervals not to exceed 50 FH.

3.    Before further flight.

4.    At the latest when the helicopter reaches 4 and a half years of calendar life.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 March 2007.

Background:

This AD is issued following two reports of jamming of one of the fuel shut-off control levers discovered during a maintenance scheduled check of these controls.  The jamming originates from the relevant tangential gearboxes.  In both cases, the grease in the left tangential gearbox solidified and in one of the two cases, the right tangential gearbox showed traces of extensive corrosion.

The jamming of the fuel shut-off control prevents:

• the fuel cock at the engine inlet from closing and may thus maintain a fire,
• the engine compartment ventilation flap from closing, which can reduce the efficiency of the extinguishing agent, in the event of firing after fire alarm,
• operation of the general cut-off control so that switching-off the electrical power system may become impossible if needed.

This AD therefore requires operators to carry out a functional check of the fuel shut-off controls and to recondition and grease the tangential gearboxes.

Charles Lenarcic
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

29 March 2007