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 39.1 (1) of CAR 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.
Agusta A109 Series Helicopters
AD/A109/34 Windshield Wipers 4/2003
Applicability: All A 109E helicopters listed in Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico (BT) 109EP-27 Revision A dated 7 February 2003.
Requirement: 1. A 109E "PW206C" helicopters serial number (S/N) 11122 to S/N 11130 inclusive (except for S/Ns 11123, 11127 and 11129) and A 109E "TM2k1" helicopters S/N 11502 to S/N 11504 inclusive - Deactivate the windshield wiper system and install a placard in clear view of the pilot stating ‘WINDSHIELD WIPERS INOPERATIVE’ in accordance with Part I of Alert BT 109EP-27 Revision A.
2. A 109E "PW206C" helicopters S/N 11122 to S/N 11130 inclusive (except for S/Ns 11123, 11127 and 11129) and A 109E "TM2k1" helicopters S/N 11502 to S/N 11504 inclusive - Modify the windshield wiper electrical system in accordance with Part II of Alert BT 109EP-27 Revision A.
3. A 109E "PW206C" helicopters S/N 11001 to S/N 11133 inclusive, with windshield wiper kit part number (P/N) 109-0811-44-101/-102 or P/N 109- 0811-44-105/-106 installed (except for S/Ns 11122, 11124, 11125, 11126, 11127, 11128 and 11130), A 109 Elite "PW 206C" helicopter S/N 11151 and A 109 "M2k1" helicopter S/N 11501 - Modify the windshield wiper electrical system in accordance with Part III of Alert BT 109EP-27 Revision A.
Note: ENAC AD 2003-032 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Within five hours time in service (TIS) after the effective date of this Directive.
For Requirement 2 - Before 1 June 2003.
For Requirement 3 - Concurrent with the first replacement of timed relay P/N T412- DJ1001-C with new relay P/N TDH-8070-1001P or P/N T412-2006.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 17 April 2003.
Background: The Italian Ente Nazionale per l’Aviation Civile (ENAC) has received advice of a resistor overheating in the windshield wiper system. This overheating could result in smoke or fire in the helicopter.
Agusta A109 Series Helicopters
AD/A109/34 (continued)
This Directive initially requires deactivation of the windshield wiper system and the installation of a placard in the cockpit, followed by modification of the windshield wiper electrical system.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 5 March 2003
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) A109/34 in April 2003 to address a safety issue identified in the Agusta A109 Series Helicopters. The directive was enacted in response to reports from the Italian Ente Nazionale per l’Aviation Civile (ENAC) of resistors overheating in the windshield wiper system, which could lead to smoke or fire. This AD applies to specific serial numbers of A 109E "PW206C" and A 109E "TM2k1" helicopters. The primary objective of this AD is to ensure the safety of the aircraft by mandating the deactivation of the windshield wiper system and the installation of a placard as a warning, followed by modifications to the electrical system of the windshield wipers. The policy objective is to mitigate the risk of fire or smoke caused by the overheating resistors, thereby enhancing the overall airworthiness of the affected helicopters.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive applies specifically to Agusta A109 Series helicopters, more precisely to A109E helicopters listed in Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico (BT) 109EP-27 Revision A dated 7 February 2003, including certain serial numbers within the specified range. The directive is concerned with correcting an identified unsafe condition related to the windshield wiper system which poses a risk of overheating, potentially leading to smoke or fire in the helicopter. The directive applies to helicopters operated within Australia, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and in accordance with the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998). The directive does not explicitly exclude any particular entities or conduct from its scope but rather focuses on the physical modifications required to specific helicopter models. Compliance with the directive is mandatory for the specified aircraft, with different timelines set for the actions required, including deactivation of the windshield wiper system, installation of a placard, and modification of the windshield wiper electrical system, all detailed in the referenced technical alert.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A109/34 issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) mandates specific actions to be taken on Agusta A109 Series helicopters to address a safety concern with the windshield wiper system. The AD applies to certain A109E helicopters identified in Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico (BT) 109EP-27 Revision A dated 7 February 2003 (section 1). The directive sets out three main requirements for the helicopters in question. Firstly, for specific serial numbers of A 109E "PW206C" and A 109E "TM2k1" helicopters, the windshield wiper system must be deactivated, and a placard indicating "WINDSHIELD WIPERS INOPERATIVE" must be installed in a location clearly visible to the pilot (section 2). Secondly, the same helicopters must undergo modification of the windshield wiper electrical system as outlined in Part II of Alert BT 109EP-27 Revision A (section 3). Thirdly, other specified A109E "PW206C" helicopters and A 109 "M2k1" helicopters must also modify their windshield wiper electrical system in accordance with Part III of Alert BT 109EP-27 Revision A (section 4).
The obligations under this AD are clear and specific. Owners and operators of the affected helicopters must ensure that the windshield wiper system is deactivated and the appropriate placard is installed within five hours of the AD's effective date (section 5). Additionally, the modification of the windshield wiper electrical system must be completed before 1 June 2003, and concurrently with the first replacement of the timed relay with a new relay (section 6). Failure to comply with these requirements could lead to serious safety risks, including potential fires due to resistor overheating in the windshield wiper system.
Breaches of the AD could result in civil or criminal consequences. Under CAR 1998, non-compliance with an AD can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including fines and other penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD, non-compliance with ADs generally can result in substantial fines, and in serious cases, criminal charges may be brought against individuals responsible for the non-compliance. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the breach and the specific circumstances of the non-compliance.