COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters
AD/AS 355/28
Amdt 2
Installation of Automatic Relighting System 4/88
DM
Applicability: All model AS 355 E, F, F1 and F2 Helicopters.
Requirement: Install the automatic relighting system (for Allison 250 C20F engine) in accordance with the mandatory requirement of Aerospatiale SB 01.18 Rev 2 and accomplishment instructions detailed in Aerospatiale SB 80-02 Rev 2 or other equivalent system acceptable to the Secretary.
Note: DGAC Bureau Veritas AD 86-153-031 (B) R4 Part B refers.
Compliance: For helicopters in IFR and VFR operations prior to further flight after 31 March 1988.
Note 1: The operating limitations detailed in AD 86-153-031 (B) R4 Part A (a) and (b), now incorporated in the Australian Flight Manual, are cancelled on completion of the automatic relight system installation.
Note 2: Compliance with the previous issue of this Directive does NOT satisfy Compliance with this Amendment 2.
Background: Several cases of single and two cases of double-engined flameout have been reported one of which resulted in a fatal accident. These incidents occurred in IMC and VMC but always in high humidity with OAT near zero degrees Celsius. Country of Origin AD 86-153-031 (B) R2 publishes the mandatory requirement to embody an automatic relight system for these a/c in both IFR and VFR operations. This Directive is issued to ensure an automatic relight capability prior to the onset of the 1988 Australian winter when conditions conducive to engine flame-out are most likely to be experienced.
This Directive is amended to reflect Rev 2 to SBs 01.18 and 80.02 and to reference
D.G.A.C. Bureau Veritas AD 86-153-031 (B) Rev 4 which incorporate complimentary modifications 350A07-1910 and 1920 to prevent inadvertent operation of the system.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, include Airworthiness Directives aimed at maintaining the safety standards of aircraft operations in Australia. The regulations were enacted by the Australian Parliament to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. One such directive, AD/AS 355/28 Amendment 2, addresses a critical safety concern involving Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) series helicopters. This directive was introduced to mitigate the risk of engine flameout, particularly under conditions of high humidity and near-zero degrees Celsius outside air temperature, which had previously resulted in several incidents, including a fatal accident. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate the installation of an automatic relighting system for the Allison 250 C20F engine in compliance with updated service bulletins and instructions, ensuring that all affected helicopters meet the required safety standards before engaging in further flight operations under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives, pertains to the mandatory requirements for the installation of an automatic relighting system in Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) series helicopters, including models AS 355 E, F, F1, and F2. This legislation applies to all helicopters of these models, regardless of whether they are engaged in Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) or Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations, with compliance required before further flights after 31 March 1988. The installation must adhere to the Aerospatiale Service Bulletin 01.18 Rev 2 and the accomplishment instructions detailed in Aerospatiale Service Bulletin 80-02 Rev 2, or an equivalent system deemed acceptable by the Secretary. The directive references DGAC Bureau Veritas AD 86-153-031 (B) R4 Part B and notes that the operating limitations in AD 86-153-031 (B) R4 Part A (a) and (b), now incorporated into the Australian Flight Manual, are cancelled upon completion of the automatic relight system installation. It is also noted that compliance with the previous issue of this directive does not satisfy compliance with this Amendment 2.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, mandate that all model AS 355 E, F, F1, and F2 helicopters must install an automatic relighting system for the Allison 250 C20F engine (section 39-105). This requirement is detailed in Aerospatiale SB 01.18 Rev 2 and the accomplishment instructions in Aerospatiale SB 80-02 Rev 2, or an equivalent system acceptable to the Secretary. The installation is necessary for helicopters operating in both Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) prior to further flight after 31 March 1988. It is important to note that compliance with previous versions of this directive does not satisfy the requirements of this amendment.
The obligations imposed by this legislation require operators of the specified helicopter models to ensure that the automatic relighting system is installed as per the detailed instructions provided. This installation must be completed to meet the stringent safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The regulations explicitly state that the operating limitations detailed in AD 86-153-031 (B) R4 Part A (a) and (b) are cancelled upon the completion of the installation, thus emphasising the importance of timely compliance. Failure to adhere to these requirements can result in significant safety risks, particularly given the reported incidents of engine flameout under specific conditions.
The consequences for non-compliance with these regulations are severe. Offences under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Specifically, failure to install the automatic relighting system as required can lead to substantial fines, with the exact amount determined by the severity of the breach and any resulting harm. Additionally, operators found in breach of these safety directives may face prosecution, which could result in imprisonment. The exact penalties are detailed in the relevant sections of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which governs the enforcement of these regulations and the imposition of penalties for non-compliance.