AD/S-Puma/71 Hydraulic Power System (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/71 Hydraulic Power System 11/2007 TX

Applicability:

Eurocopter AS332 C, AS332 C1, AS 332 L, AS332 L1 and AS332 L2 helicopters fitted with Messier-Bugatti hydraulic pumps Part Number (P/N) C24160-X, C24160-XXX, C24160XX, C241600XX-X and C241600XX-XXX whose Serial Numbers (S/N) are detailed in paragraph 1.A.1 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 01.00.73 dated 23 August 2007 and not marked with the letter “V”.

Requirement:

1.    Check the P/N and S/N of the hydraulic pumps.

2.    If both pumps installed on a given helicopter are listed in the applicability section above suspend all flights until at least one of the pumps is replaced, in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of Eurocopter ASB No. 01.00.73, with a pump which is not listed in the applicability section of this AD.

3.    Do not install a pump which is listed in the applicability section of this AD.

4.    Remove all pumps listed by this AD from service.

Note:  DGAC Emergency AD EAD F-2007-010 dated 24 August 2007 refers.

Compliance:

1.    Within 15 flight hours after the effective date of this AD unless previously accomplished.

2.    Before further flight after the effective date of this AD.

3.    From the effective date of this AD.

4.    Before 31 December 2008.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 August 2007.

Background: There have been 2 cases of Left Hand (LH) hydraulic power system loss on two AS332 helicopters.  In both cases the pilot received the “low level” hydraulic failure alarm.  The investigations conducted on the two helicopters revealed a hydraulic fluid leak from the hydraulic pump casing.  This is due to the incorrect procedure being applied to certain pumps at a repair station.

Charles Lenarcic
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

27 August 2007