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
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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.
AD/AS 355/53 Ferry Fuel Tanks 9/2000 DM
Applicability: AS 355 E, F, F1 F2 and N helicopters, metal ferry fuel tanks, part number 330A 871310.00, .01, .02, .03 and .04.
Requirement: 1. For installed metal ferry fuel tanks - Electrically bond the fuel tanks in accordance with paragraph C.C of Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.10 dated 6 June 2000.
2. For metal ferry fuel tanks that are not installed - Electrically bond the fuel tanks in accordance with paragraph C.C of Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.10 dated 6 June 2000.
Note: DGAC AD 2000-302(A).
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Before the next refuelling of the ferry fuel tank after the effective date of this Directive.
For Resquirement 2 - Before installation of the ferry fuel tank. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 26 July 2000.
Background: The French Direction Generale de L’Aviation Civile has advised that an electrostatic ground connector on several ferry fuel tanks was not electrically bonded to its support. During refuelling of a tank, the absence of this electrical bonding could generate an electrical arc between the refuelling nozzle of the tanker and the fuel tank causing the fuel tank to explode.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 18 July 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 July 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, is a comprehensive piece of legislation aimed at ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. One of the critical aspects of this regulation is Part 39, which includes Airworthiness Directives designed to address specific safety issues in aviation. For example, the directive AD/AS 355/53 issued on 9th July 2000 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) addresses a safety concern related to the ferry fuel tanks of Eurocopter AS 355 series helicopters. This directive mandates the electrical bonding of metal ferry fuel tanks to prevent potential electrostatic discharges that could lead to explosions during refuelling, thus ensuring the safety of both the aircraft and personnel involved. The objective of this directive is to mitigate the risk of unsafe conditions that could compromise air safety, aligning with the overarching policy of maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, governs the safety of civil aviation in Australia, with a focus on the application of Airworthiness Directives (AD) to maintain airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products. This regulation applies to the Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters, which includes models E, F, F1, F2, and N. It mandates that all metal ferry fuel tanks with specific part numbers must be electrically bonded as per the instructions provided in Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.10 dated 6 June 2000. This directive applies to both installed and uninstalled fuel tanks, with a requirement for installed tanks to be bonded before their next refuelling and uninstalled tanks to be bonded before installation. The AD became effective from 26 July 2000 and was issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998 by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, addressing a safety concern identified by the French Direction Generale de L’Aviation Civile regarding potential fuel tank explosions due to electrical arcing during refuelling.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, outlines a specific Airworthiness Directive (AD) for Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. Section 39.1 (1) of the CAR 1998 empowers the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue such directives to ensure the safe operation of aircraft. In this case, AD/AS 355/53 addresses the issue of ferry fuel tanks on specified AS 355 models. The directive requires that all metal ferry fuel tanks, identified by part numbers 330A 871310.00,.01,.02, .03, and .04, must be electrically bonded. This bonding must be conducted in accordance with the instructions provided in paragraph C.C of Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.10 dated 6 June 2000. For tanks already installed, this bonding must be completed before the next refuelling after the directive's effective date of 26 July 2000. For tanks not yet installed, the bonding must be done before installation.
The obligations under this AD are clear and specific. Owners or operators of AS 355 helicopters with the mentioned ferry fuel tanks must ensure that the bonding process is carried out by a certified technician or engineer. They must follow the precise instructions provided in the Eurocopter Service Telex. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the fuel tanks not meeting the necessary safety standards, potentially leading to catastrophic failures such as explosions during refuelling. The directive is designed to prevent electrostatic discharges that can occur when the refuelling nozzle and fuel tank come into contact, thereby eliminating the risk of fuel tank explosions.
Non-compliance with this Airworthiness Directive may result in severe consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, failure to adhere to an AD can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines up to a significant amount, depending on the severity and frequency of the non-compliance. Criminal penalties can be imposed for more severe violations, potentially including imprisonment. The exact penalties are determined by the court but can be substantial, reflecting the critical nature of ensuring airworthiness in aviation safety.