COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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/A109/35 Hydraulic Hoses 4/2003
Applicability: All A109E helicopters fitted with Pratt and Whitney PW206C engine from serial number (S/N) 11001 to 11137 inclusive, and S/N 11151.
All A109E helicopters, fitted with Turbomeca TM2K1 engine from S/N 11501 to 11505 inclusive.
Requirement: Carry out inspection and fitment of clamps in accordance with Agusta Bollettino Tecnico 109EP-29.
Note: Italian AD 2002-318 refers.
Compliance: Within 50 flight hours from the effective date of this Directive or by 30 June 2003, whichever comes first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 17 April 2003.
Background: A small hydraulic leak was observed during a ground check. Investigation revealed chafing of the hoses caused the leakage. This Directive requires the fitment of clamps to separate the hoses.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 5 March 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 March 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This legislative instrument, specifically under PART 39 - 105, aims to address safety concerns through the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs). These ADs mandate corrective actions to mitigate identified unsafe conditions in aircraft and aeronautical products. The AD/A109/35, issued on 4 April 2003, targets Agusta A109 Series Helicopters, requiring the inspection and fitting of clamps on hydraulic hoses to prevent chafing and potential leaks, as highlighted by the discovery of a small hydraulic leak during a ground check. The directive applies to specific serial numbers of A109E helicopters equipped with either Pratt and Whitney PW206C or Turbomeca TM2K1 engines and mandates compliance within 50 flight hours or by 30 June 2003, whichever comes first, thereby ensuring the ongoing airworthiness of affected helicopters.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically Airworthiness Directives, apply to particular aircraft and aeronautical products to ensure their continued safety and airworthiness. In this instance, Airworthiness Directive AD/A109/35 applies to Agusta A109E helicopters fitted with either a Pratt and Whitney PW206C engine from serial numbers 11001 to 11137 inclusive, and 11151, or a Turbomeca TM2K1 engine from serial numbers 11501 to 11505 inclusive. The directive mandates that these helicopters undergo inspection and fitting of clamps as per Agusta Bollettino Tecnico 109EP-29 to address a known issue of hydraulic hose chafing that could lead to leaks. The directive is issued by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and becomes effective on 17 April 2003. Compliance is required within 50 flight hours from the effective date or by 30 June 2003, whichever is sooner. This AD is a critical measure to mitigate safety risks associated with the specified helicopters, ensuring they meet the required safety standards and continue to operate safely within Australian airspace.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) pertains specifically to Agusta A109 Series Helicopters, identified as AD/A109/35 (section 3). The directive mandates the inspection and fitting of clamps on hydraulic hoses to prevent leakage caused by chafing, referencing Agusta Bollettino Tecnico 109EP-29 (section 4). This requirement applies to A109E helicopters with Pratt and Whitney PW206C engines from serial numbers 11001 to 11137 inclusive and 11151, as well as those with Turbomeca TM2K1 engines from serial numbers 11501 to 11505 inclusive (section 5).
The obligations imposed by this AD include conducting a thorough inspection of the specified hydraulic hoses to detect any signs of chafing or potential leakage. Furthermore, operators must ensure that clamps are fitted according to the instructions provided in Agusta Bollettino Tecnico 109EP-29 (section 4). These actions must be completed within 50 flight hours from the effective date of the directive or by 30 June 2003, whichever comes first (section 6). This timeframe is critical to maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the affected helicopters.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this AD may result in significant consequences. The AD stipulates that non-compliance could lead to the aircraft being considered unairworthy, thereby preventing its operation until the required actions are taken (section 7). This non-compliance not only poses safety risks but also could result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), potentially including fines, enforcement notices, or other regulatory penalties as outlined in the Civil Aviation Act 1988 (section 8). The directive emphasizes the importance of adhering to the specified compliance timeline to avoid any legal repercussions and ensure the continued safety of the aircraft in operation.