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 A119 Series Helicopters
AD/A119/5 Windshield Wipers 8/2002 TX
Applicability: A119 helicopters all serial numbers (S/N) up to and including 14022.
Requirement: 1. Helicopters S/N 14017 to 14021 inclusive - Deactivate the windshield wipers and install the following placard in accordance with Part I of Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico 119-5 dated 22 May 2002:
“WINDSHIELD WIPERS INOPERATIVE”
2. Helicopters S/N 14017 to 14021 inclusive - Modify the windshield wiper electrical system in accordance with Part II of Alert Bollettino Tecnico 119-5.
3. Helicopters S/N up to and including 14022, but excluding S/N 14017, 14018, 14019, 14020 and 14021 - Modify the windshield wiper electrical system in accordance with Part III of Alert Bollettino Tecnico 119-5.
Note: Italian Ente Nazionale per l’Aviazone Civile AD 2002-309 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Within five hours’ time in service after the effective date of this Directive.
For Requirement 2 - Before 31 October 2002.
For Requirement 3 - When relay part number (P/N) T412-DJ1001-C is replaced with relay P/N TDH-8070-1001P and/or T412-2006.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 21 June 2002.
Background: Agusta has advised that during a ground functional test of an A109E helicopter the windshield wiper electrical system overheated due to a system overload. The source of the overload was identified as a partial incompatibility of new timed relays P/N TDH-8070-1001P and/or T412-2006 (identified as K8651 and K8652) with the actual configuration of the windshield wiper electrical system.
Agusta A119 Series Helicopters
AD/A119/5 (continued)
As 109E and A119 helicopters are equipped with the same windshield wiper electrical system overheating could also occur on A119 helicopters. This Directive requires initial deactivation of the wiper system followed by modification of the system to eliminate the overheating.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 19 June 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 June 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive AD/A119/5 in June 2002 to address an unsafe condition identified in the windshield wiper electrical systems of Agusta A119 Series Helicopters. This legislative instrument, issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, was enacted to ensure the safety of helicopters with serial numbers up to and including 14022, following reports of system overload and overheating during ground functional tests. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate specific actions to mitigate the identified risk, thereby maintaining the airworthiness of the affected aircraft. This directive became effective on 21 June 2002, requiring helicopter operators to comply with the outlined requirements within specified timeframes to ensure continued safe operation.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to Agusta A119 Series Helicopters with serial numbers up to and including 14022. This directive mandates corrective actions to address a safety issue identified with the windshield wiper electrical system. For helicopters with serial numbers 14017 to 14021 inclusive, the directive requires the deactivation of the windshield wipers and the installation of a placard indicating their inoperative status. Additionally, a modification of the windshield wiper electrical system must be carried out in accordance with specified technical bulletins. For helicopters with serial numbers up to and including 14022, excluding those in the 14017 to 14021 range, the directive also necessitates a modification of the electrical system to prevent overheating. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory, with specific timelines and conditions provided for each action. This AD applies nationally within Australia and is enforceable across all jurisdictions where the affected helicopters are registered.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 targets Agusta A119 Series Helicopters, specifically serial numbers (S/N) up to and including 14022. The AD mandates specific actions to address the identified unsafe condition in the windshield wiper systems of these helicopters. According to the requirement section, helicopters with S/N 14017 to 14021 must deactivate the windshield wipers and install a placard indicating "WINDSHIELD WIPERS INOPERATIVE." Furthermore, these helicopters must also modify the windshield wiper electrical system as per Part II of Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico 119-5 dated 22 May 2002. Helicopters with S/N up to and including 14022, but excluding those with S/N 14017 to 14021, must modify the windshield wiper electrical system in accordance with Part III of the same technical bulletin.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties or entities governed by it. Operators of Agusta A119 Series Helicopters must ensure that the windshield wipers are deactivated and the appropriate placard is installed within five hours of the AD's effective date. They must also ensure that the windshield wiper electrical system is modified as specified in Parts II and III of Agusta Alert Bollettino Tecnico 119-5 by the stipulated deadlines. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to serious safety risks, including potential system failure during flight, which could compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.
For non-compliance with the requirements set out in the AD, there may be significant legal consequences. While the AD itself does not explicitly outline specific penalties, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines up to a substantial amount, while criminal penalties can include imprisonment. The exact penalties would be determined in accordance with the relevant laws governing aviation safety and the severity of the non-compliance. Operators are thus strongly advised to adhere to the AD to avoid these potential consequences and ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of their aircraft.