COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/AS 355/48 and issues the following 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.
Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters
AD/AS 355/48
Amdt 1
Tail Boom-to-Aircraft Structure Junction Attachment Screws
3/2002
Applicability: Model AS 355 helicopters, versions E, F, F1, F2, and N, equipped with tail boom-to- aircraft structure junction attachment screws part number 22201BC060008L (N5103337287). This directive does not apply to new or overhauled aircraft delivered after 15 May 1997, and aircraft on which no tail boom-to-aircraft structure junction attachment screw was replaced since 1 July 1994 (even if these screws are marked with the letter “M”).
Requirement: Check the marking on the heads of the 23 attachment screws which are located above the cargo compartment floor, and scrap all screws which are marked with the letter “M” on the screw head above the designation “BC”, in accordance with the instructions given in paragraph 2.B.1 of Eurocopter AS350 Alert Service Bulletin No. 01.00.43.
Note: DGAC AD 1997-146-054 (A) R1 refers.
Compliance: Unless already accomplished, within 100 hours time in service after 9 October 1997, or before 31 October 1997; whichever occurs first.
The compliance time for this amendment remains unchanged. This amendment becomes effective on 21 March 2002.
Background: This Directive was originally issued in October 1997, as a batch of attachment screws has been found which do not meet the required metallurgical specification.
Amendment 1 has been issued to cover the conversion of the Service Telex into Alert Service Bulletin No. 01.00.43, with no change to technical content.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 5 February 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 27 February 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, amended by F2006B02502, is part of a legislative instrument that addresses safety concerns specific to certain models of helicopters manufactured by Eurocopter. This particular legislative instrument, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as a delegate of the Commonwealth of Australia, was enacted to address an identified safety issue with the tail boom-to-aircraft structure junction attachment screws on Eurocopter AS 355 helicopters. The policy objective of this Airworthiness Directive is to mandate corrective action to ensure the safety of these aircraft by requiring the replacement of specific screws that do not meet the required metallurgical specifications, thereby preventing potential structural failures and ensuring continued airworthiness.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, govern the scope and application of airworthiness directives within Australia, ensuring the safety of civil aviation. The regulation applies to the Eurocopter AS 355 series helicopters, specifically versions E, F, F1, F2, and N, that are equipped with tail boom-to-aircraft structure junction attachment screws marked as part number 22201BC060008L (N5103337287). The directive mandates certain actions to address an identified unsafe condition concerning the attachment screws, and it excludes newly delivered or overhauled aircraft post 15 May 1997, as well as aircraft where no attachment screws were replaced since 1 July 1994. The directive requires checking the markings on the screw heads above the cargo compartment floor and discarding those marked with "M" above the designation "BC", in line with specific instructions. Compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of service post 9 October 1997 or before 31 October 1997, whichever is sooner. This directive is enforced across the Commonwealth of Australia and is applicable as per the regulations set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) in question, specifically AD/AS 355/48 Amendment 1, pertains to Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. This AD requires specific actions concerning the tail boom-to-aircraft structure junction attachment screws on certain models of these helicopters. The directive mandates that any Eurocopter AS 355 helicopters, versions E, F, F1, F2, and N, equipped with specific attachment screws (part number 22201BC060008L, N5103337287) must undergo a thorough inspection and replacement of screws that do not meet the required specifications. This requirement is particularly focused on those screws that have the letter "M" marked on their heads above the designation "BC". The directive explicitly excludes new or overhauled aircraft delivered after 15 May 1997 and those that have not had their tail boom-to-aircraft structure junction attachment screws replaced since 1 July 1994, even if the screws are marked with an "M".
The obligations imposed by this AD include ensuring that all applicable helicopters are inspected and any defective screws are replaced within a specified timeframe. Operators and owners of the affected helicopters must adhere to the instructions outlined in paragraph 2.B.1 of Eurocopter AS350 Alert Service Bulletin No. 01.00.43. The AD specifies that the compliance period is 100 hours of service after 9 October 1997, or before 31 October 1997, whichever comes first. This timeframe is non-negotiable and must be strictly observed to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD may result in serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) can take action against non-compliance, which may include enforcement measures, fines, and other penalties. The severity of the penalties can vary, but they are designed to ensure that all safety directives are strictly adhered to in order to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety. Non-compliance can also lead to the grounding of affected aircraft until the required actions are taken, thereby potentially impacting operations and safety.