AD/AS 355/34 Amdt 1 - Rotating Swashplate Bearing

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, which are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This particular legislative instrument, AD/AS 355/34 Amendment 1, was introduced in response to an incident where the seizure of a swashplate bearing in a Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) series helicopter led to an accident. The objective of this amendment is to address this safety issue by revising the inspection procedures to enhance the detection of imminent bearing failures. The amendment mandates specific inspections and maintenance actions for the swashplate bearing, including the application of grease, incorporation of certain service bulletins, and visual inspections at prescribed intervals, all aimed at mitigating the risk of a recurrence of such incidents. The legislative instrument specifies the applicability of these requirements to all AS 355 series helicopters and sets out the compliance timeline, ensuring that these critical safety measures are implemented promptly and consistently. This amendment underscores CASA's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in the civil aviation sector by providing clear and enforceable guidelines to address identified hazards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies to all Eurocopter AS 355 series helicopters within the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive mandates specific maintenance procedures to ensure airworthiness and safety, particularly concerning the swashplate bearing, which has been identified as a potential cause of accidents. These procedures include inspections and lubrication tasks, with precise timelines and intervals detailed to ensure compliance. The directive requires inspections and maintenance to be performed by authorised personnel, with the results documented and recorded in the aircraft's maintenance records. The directive extends its application through subordinate instruments which detail specific technical requirements and maintenance schedules. Notably, the directive does not explicitly state any exclusions or exemptions, implying that all AS 355 series helicopters in operation within Australia must adhere to the specified requirements.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 (section 105), mandate certain safety directives for the Eurocopter AS 355 series helicopters. These regulations are detailed in the Airworthiness Directives (AD) for the AS 355 series. According to AD/AS 355/34 Amendment 1, the directive mandates several critical actions to address the risk of swashplate bearing seizure, which has previously resulted in accidents (section 1). Firstly, operators must inspect the swashplate in accordance with specified paragraphs of Aerospatiale SB 62-16 (sections 1C(a) to 1C(f)) and visually inspect it as per paragraph 1C(g) (section 2). Additionally, the swashplate bearing must be greased as per paragraph 1C(i) (section 3), and the requirements of Aerospatiale SB 62-07 Revision 1 must be incorporated (section 4). The regulations impose several obligations on the operators of these helicopters. Firstly, any inspection and maintenance actions required by the AD must be completed within 10 hours of the helicopter being in service after 16 February 1990 or by 9 March 1990, whichever comes first (section 5). These inspections must then be conducted at intervals not exceeding 100 hours of time in service (section 6). Furthermore, compliance with the AD/AS 355/34 Amendment 1 must be achieved at the next "T" type inspection after 31 March 1990 or by 31 December 1990, whichever occurs first (section 7). Additionally, a visual inspection of the swashplate must be performed immediately after the last flight of each day, and if carried out by the pilot in command, the precise AD reference and any defects found must be recorded in the Maintenance Release (section 8). Failure to comply with these ADs can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose penalties for non-compliance, although specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text. However, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in civil or criminal penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, including fines and potential imprisonment. The exact penalties may vary depending on the severity and circumstances of the non-compliance, but they underscore the importance of adhering to the stipulated safety measures.