AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/APU/17 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (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.
Auxiliary Power Units
AD/APU/17
Amdt 1
Saphir 20 Model 095 Female Quill Shaft Cycles Since New
1/2005
Applicability: Microturbo Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Saphir 20, model 095, installed on Super Puma 332 L2 helicopters.
Requirement: 1. Remove from service female quill shaft reference 095-40-193-01.
2. Do not install female quill shaft reference 095-40-193-01 that has accumulated 460 cycles since new (CSN) or more.
Note 1: All Saphir 20 model 095 APUs are currently equipped with this female quill shaft.
Note 2: DGAC Airworthiness Directive F-2004-177 R1 dated 24 November 2004 as approved by EASA reference 2004-11120 dated 17 November 2004 refers.
Compliance: 1. Before accumulating 460 CSN. Female quill shafts that have accumulated 460 CSN or more on the effective date of this Directive are to be removed before 10 additional cycles.
2. As of the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive. This Amendment becomes effective on 20 January 2005.
Background: A case of rupture of the female quill shaft, which links the accessory gearbox to the gas generator, was discovered in service. The rupture of the female quill shaft may result in generator over speed followed by an uncontained burst.
This Airworthiness Directive is an interim measure to address an unsafe condition till determination of root causes of the failure of female quill shaft is made and final solution is found out.
Auxiliary Power Units
AD/APU/17 Amdt 1 (continued)
Revision 1 of this AD reduces the applicability to Super Puma 332 L2 helicopters. The original issue of this AD became effective on 24 November 2004.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 3 December 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 22 December 2004.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive AD/APU/17 Amdt 1, issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 3 December 2004, addresses an identified unsafe condition related to the Microturbo Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Saphir 20, model 095, specifically installed on Super Puma 332 L2 helicopters. This interim directive was introduced following a service case where the female quill shaft of the APU ruptured, potentially leading to a generator overspeed and an uncontained burst. The directive aims to mitigate the risk of such an incident occurring by requiring the removal of female quill shafts that have accumulated 460 cycles since new or more, and prohibiting the installation of such shafts going forward. This directive was put in place until the root causes of the failure were determined and a final solution identified.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies specifically to Microturbo Auxiliary Power Units (APU) Saphir 20, model 095, which are installed on Super Puma 332 L2 helicopters. The directive is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is aimed at addressing an unsafe condition identified with the female quill shaft, which links the accessory gearbox to the gas generator. The AD requires the removal of specific female quill shafts that have accumulated a certain number of cycles since new, as well as prohibiting the installation of such shafts that have reached a specified cycle threshold. This action is mandated to prevent potential ruptures that could lead to severe consequences such as generator overspeed and uncontained bursts. The AD serves as an interim measure until the root causes of the failure are determined and a final solution is implemented. The directive is applicable nationwide within the Commonwealth of Australia and was effective from 20 January 2005. The AD revokes the previous AD/APU/17 and narrows its applicability to only the Super Puma 332 L2 helicopters. The directive was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 22 December 2004 and is subject to compliance by the relevant entities operating within the Australian jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/APU/17 Amdt 1 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to the Microturbo Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Saphir 20, model 095, installed on Super Puma 332 L2 helicopters (section 1). The directive requires the removal of the female quill shaft reference 095-40-193-01 and prohibits the installation of this shaft if it has accumulated 460 cycles since new (CSN) or more (section 2). This interim measure is a response to the discovery of a rupture in the female quill shaft, which could lead to severe consequences including generator over speed and an uncontained burst.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators of Super Puma 332 L2 helicopters equipped with the affected APUs. They are required to remove the female quill shaft reference 095-40-193-01 from service (section 2.1). Additionally, any shafts that have already accumulated 460 CSN must be removed before the aircraft accumulates 10 more cycles (section 3.1). These actions must be taken before the effective date of the directive, which is 20 January 2005 (section 3.2).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive can result in severe consequences. While the document does not explicitly state the penalties or legal ramifications, non-compliance with CASA directives typically results in significant enforcement actions, including potential fines and grounding of the aircraft. The directive is designed to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the affected helicopters, and non-compliance can be considered a serious breach of aviation safety regulations.