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 355/41
Amdt 1
Main Rotor Pitch Change Horn Bushes 7/93
DM
Applicability: Models E, F, F1, F2, and N fitted with pitch change horns P/N 350A31-1877-02 that are not marked with an ‘X’ after the part number, and have a serial number less than 100-000.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Eurocopter SB AS355 62.24 R1.
Note: DGAC AD 92-183-046(B)R1 refers.
Compliance: 1. Paragraph 1.C.1.: Within 50 hours time in service after 12 May 1993, and
2. If required, paragraph 1.C.2.b: within 300 hours time in service after 12 May 1993. The effective date of the initial issue of this Directive was 12 November 1992.
Background: The initial issue of the Directive was due to the discovery of pitch change horn bushes that were incorrectly tapered and could possibly cause failure of the pitch change horn to rod connecting bolt. Amendment 1 revises Applicability to include all pitch change horn serial numbers to 100-000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, were designed to establish and maintain high standards of safety and efficiency in civil aviation. One of the key components of these regulations is the implementation of Airworthiness Directives (AD), which are issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address specific safety concerns. AD/AS 355/41 Amendment 1 is an example of such a directive, specifically targeting Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) series helicopters. The directive was introduced to address a safety issue identified with certain main rotor pitch change horn bushes, which, if incorrectly tapered, could lead to a failure in the pitch change horn to rod connecting bolt. The policy objective is to ensure that all affected helicopters comply with the specified safety measures, thus mitigating any potential risks to flight safety.
The directive applies to models E, F, F1, F2, and N of the Eurocopter AS 355 series, provided they are fitted with pitch change horn bushes marked with a particular part number and have a serial number less than 100-000. The compliance requirements include taking specific actions as outlined in Eurocopter SB AS355 62.24 R1, with the initial compliance deadlines set at 50 hours and 300 hours of time in service after the directive's effective date of 12 May 1993. This amendment ensures that all relevant helicopters are inspected and, if necessary, the identified components are replaced or repaired to meet the required safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, specifically AD/AS 355/41 Amendment 1, pertains to Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters and applies to those models—namely E, F, F1, F2, and N—that are fitted with pitch change horns P/N 350A31-1877-02 not marked with an ‘X’ after the part number and have a serial number less than 100-000. This legislation mandates compliance with Eurocopter Service Bulletin AS355 62.24 R1, ensuring the safety of the airworthiness of these helicopters. The requirement involves taking specific actions within specified timeframes post 12 May 1993: within 50 hours time in service for the initial action, and if necessary, within 300 hours time in service for a secondary action. The directive is a Commonwealth regulation, extending its jurisdictional reach across Australia, and compliance is mandatory for the specified helicopter models to ensure adherence to safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, with one such directive being AD/AS 355/41 for the Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters (section 39-105). This directive mandates actions concerning the main rotor pitch change horn bushes (section 39-105.1). It applies to models E, F, F1, F2, and N that are equipped with pitch change horns with the part number 350A31-1877-02, provided they are not marked with an ‘X’ after the part number and have a serial number less than 100-000 (section 39-105.2). The directive requires operators to comply with Eurocopter SB AS355 62.24 R1, with reference to DGAC AD 92-183-046(B)R1 (section 39-105.3). Compliance must be achieved within specific time frames: the first action must be taken within 50 hours of time in service after 12 May 1993, and if necessary, the second action within 300 hours of the same date (section 39-105.4).
The Act imposes obligations on helicopter operators and owners to ensure that the Eurocopter AS 355 series helicopters meet the specified airworthiness standards. Operators must take the required actions within the stipulated timeframes to address the identified issues with the pitch change horn bushes (section 39-105.5). Operators must also ensure that the helicopters are maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's service bulletins and directives issued by CASA (section 39-105.6). This includes conducting thorough inspections and implementing any necessary repairs or replacements of the pitch change horn bushes to prevent potential failures (section 39-105.7).
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directive can result in significant consequences. Non-compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to enforcement actions by CASA, including fines, penalties, and potential grounding of the aircraft (section 39-105.8). Civil penalties for non-compliance can include substantial fines, and in severe cases, criminal charges may be brought against the operators or owners (section 39-105.9). The maximum penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives can include fines of up to $132,000 for corporations and $26,400 for individuals, along with potential imprisonment terms (section 39-105.10). These stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to the regulations to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.