AD/AS 355/69 Amdt 1 - Main Rotor and Tail Rotor Dynamic Components

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, introduced an Airworthiness Directive (AD) in 2002 to address discrepancies in the logging of operating hours for certain parts of Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters following repair or overhaul. The AD aimed to rectify the issue where parts that had undergone changes in part number or serial number were being dispatched with incorrect operating hours, potentially leading to unsafe conditions. This Airworthiness Directive was issued to ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters by mandating checks on affected parts and the implementation of corrective actions as specified in relevant bulletins and instructions.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies specifically to Eurocopter AS 355 series helicopters, namely the AS 355 E, F, F1, F2, and N models, that are equipped with dynamic components following overhaul or repair at the Eurocopter Helicopter Maintenance and Overhaul Facility (D.E.R.H.). This directive mandates particular actions to ensure the safety and airworthiness of these helicopters. The directive is effective within the Commonwealth of Australia and is applicable to any aircraft within the specified model range that undergo the mentioned overhaul or repair processes at the identified facility. The directive sets out specific requirements that must be adhered to, including checks on Equipment Log Cards and the removal of parts that have exceeded their operational life limits. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within specified timeframes following the directive's issuance, with some actions needing to be completed within 10 flight hours of the directive's effective date and others within 50 flight hours after determining that a part's life limit has been exceeded. The AD can be amended, as evidenced by Amendment 1, which was issued to update references in response to changes in regulatory communications, without altering the technical content of the directive.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/AS 355/69 Amdt 1 (paragraph 1) applies to Eurocopter AS 355 E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters, specifically those that have undergone dynamic component overhaul or repair at the Eurocopter Helicopter Maintenance and Overhaul Facility (D.E.R.H.). The directive requires the following actions: Firstly, using the Equipment Log Cards (FMEs) of the dynamic components, the directive mandates a check to determine if any parts affected by the directive are present, following the instructions in paragraph 2.B.1. of Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.27 (paragraph 2(a)). If the check reveals affected parts, the directive requires compliance with the instructions in paragraph 2.B.2 of the same bulletin (paragraph 2(b)). Secondly, if, after correction, the number of operating hours of a part exceeds its life limit, the directive requires the removal of the affected part or assembly, in accordance with paragraph 2.B.2.2. of Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.27 (paragraph 2(c)). Additionally, dynamic components that have been stored following repair or overhaul must comply with paragraph 2.B. of Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.27 before installation on aircraft (paragraph 2(d)). The AD imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Primarily, the directive requires the operators of the affected helicopters to conduct a thorough inspection of the Equipment Log Cards (FMEs) to identify any parts that are affected by the directive. This inspection must be carried out in accordance with the specific instructions provided in Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.27. If any affected parts are found, the operators must follow the corrective actions outlined in the bulletin. Furthermore, if the number of operating hours of a part exceeds its life limit after correction, the operators must remove the affected part or assembly. Operators must also ensure that any dynamic components stored after repair or overhaul comply with the instructions in Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.27 before they are installed on the aircraft. Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive can result in severe consequences. The AD does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance. However, non-compliance with airworthiness directives is generally considered a breach of safety regulations and can result in significant penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988. These penalties can include substantial fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft operating certificates, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to accidents or endangers public safety. The exact penalties depend on the severity of the breach and the discretion of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).