AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/AS 355/59 Amdt 2 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 355/59
Amdt 3
Main Rotor Starflex Star 7/2002
Applicability: Model AS 355 helicopters, versions E, F, F1, F2, and N; equipped with Starflex Stars part number 350A31.1916.00 mounted on main rotor hubs without MOD 076221 incorporated.
Requirement: 1. Inspect in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Telex 05.00.37 R2; and,
2. Modify in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 62.00.26 (MOD 076221).
Note 1: Requirement 2 is now terminating action for Requirement 1. Note 2: DGAC AD 2001-558-064(A) R3 refers.
Compliance: 1. Unless the initial inspection is already accomplished, before further flight after 11 July 2002. Thereafter on completion of each flight following rotor stoppage.
2. Before 31 May 2002, unless already accomplished.
The compliance time for Requirement 2 remains unchanged by this issue.
This Directive shall be entered on the Maintenance Release as maintenance required. The required visual inspection may be performed and certified by a Pilot in Command who has been trained to do the inspection by an appropriately qualified person. In this case, a copy of the Requirement document and this Directive is to be carried in the aircraft.
This amendment becomes effective on 11 July 2002.
Background: Reports were received of several occurrences of rapid bonding failure of the metal bush that is installed on the Starflex star arm ends. In some cases, these incidents caused the pilots to land quickly due to strong vibrations in the cabin.
Amendment 1 corrected the Requirement document number.
Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters
AD/AS 355/59 Amdt 3 (continued)
Amendment 2 required the incorporation of MOD 076221, in addition to the currently required inspection.
Amendment 3 is issued in response to a revision of the related DGAC AD which excludes Starflex stars mounted on main rotor hubs post MOD 076221 from the scope of this Directive.
Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 13 March 2002.
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 21 February 2002.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 23 November 2001.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 31 May 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 June 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/AS 355/59 Amdt 3 to address the safety issue of rapid bonding failure of the metal bush installed on the Starflex star arm ends of the Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) series helicopters. The AD was enacted to ensure the safe operation of the affected helicopters by requiring specific inspections and modifications to prevent the aforementioned bonding failures. This amendment is a response to reports of incidents where pilots had to make quick landings due to strong vibrations in the cabin, caused by the bonding failures. The AD mandates that inspections be conducted in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Telex 05.00.37 R2, and modifications must be made in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 62.00.26 (MOD 076221). The compliance deadlines are set to ensure that these measures are implemented before further flights, with specific timelines provided for inspections and modifications. The AD was issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and became effective on 11 July 2002.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/AS 355/59 Amdt 3 issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 pertains specifically to Eurocopter AS 355 helicopters, encompassing versions E, F, F1, F2, and N, which are equipped with Starflex Stars part number 350A31.1916.00 mounted on main rotor hubs without MOD 076221 incorporated. This legislation applies to aircraft operators and maintenance personnel involved with the specified helicopter models. Its jurisdictional reach is national, as it is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Commonwealth of Australia. The AD mandates that the specified inspection and modification actions be performed to address safety concerns related to bonding failure of the metal bush on the Starflex star arm ends, which can lead to significant cabin vibrations and necessitate immediate landing. The requirement for compliance with these actions applies to all relevant aircraft within the specified parameters, with deadlines for inspection and modification established to ensure timely and effective implementation of the safety measures. This AD supersedes previous amendments and revokes AD/AS 355/59 Amdt 2, effective from 11 July 2002.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/AS 355/59 Amdt 3, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, pertains specifically to Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters that are equipped with Starflex Stars part number 350A31.1916.00 mounted on the main rotor hubs without MOD 076221 incorporated. The directive outlines the actions that must be taken to address an identified unsafe condition relating to the bonding failure of the metal bush installed on the Starflex star arm ends. The directive requires two primary actions: inspection in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Telex 05.00.37 R2, and modification in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 62.00.26 (MOD 076221). It is important to note that the modification requirement now supersedes the need for an initial inspection, as per Note 1. Additionally, the directive references DGAC AD 2001-558-064(A) R3, providing further context to the requirement.
Under this AD, helicopter operators and owners must ensure that the required inspections and modifications are conducted in a timely and appropriate manner. For the inspection, if it has not already been completed, it must be carried out before further flight after 11 July 2002, and subsequently after each flight where the rotor has been stopped. The modification must be completed before 31 May 2002, unless it has already been performed. The required visual inspection can be performed and certified by a Pilot in Command who has been trained to do so by a qualified person. In such cases, a copy of the Requirement document and the AD must be carried in the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive may result in significant safety risks, as the unaddressed unsafe condition could lead to rapid bonding failure of the metal bush, causing strong vibrations and potentially forcing pilots to make emergency landings. The AD explicitly states that it must be recorded on the Maintenance Release as maintenance required, emphasising the importance of adherence to the outlined requirements. The AD became effective on 11 July 2002, and its compliance is crucial to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the affected helicopters.