COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety 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 issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 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 355/80 Camera System Installation - 2 10/2004
Applicability: Model AS 355 helicopters that have been modified in accordance with Mann Aviation Group (Engineering) Ltd (MAG(E)) modification 350-1521, 350-1680, or 350-1707; Installation of Camera Platform.
Requirement: 1. Inspect the camera platform hold down hook to determine the standard of hook installed, in accordance with paragraph 2 of MAG(E) Service Bulletin SB-A25- 002 Issue 1, dated 20 May 2004, or later EASA approved revision. If a part number 350-1521-109 hook is found to be installed, replace the -109 hook with a part number 350-1521-139 hook in accordance with SB-A25-002 Issue 1, or later EASA approved revision.
2. Modify the Mounting Arm in accordance with SB-A25-002 Issue 1, or later EASA approved revision.
Note: UK CAA AD G-2004-0019 refers.
Compliance: Within 3 months after 30 September 2004.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 September 2004.
Background: The manufacturer has received reports of failures of an old standard of the camera platform hold down hook. Failure of the hook could result in inadequate retention of the platform and camera, which could become a hazard to the helicopter.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 18 August 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 September 2004.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) are foundational to ensuring the safety of civil aviation in Australia, enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament. These regulations establish standards and requirements for the certification and airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products, with the overarching goal of maintaining public safety and preventing accidents. One specific instance of the regulations' application is detailed in the Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on 30 September 2004. This AD was introduced to address a safety issue identified with the installation of camera systems on certain helicopters, specifically those modified with specific Mann Aviation Group (Engineering) Ltd (MAG(E)) modifications. The directive mandates inspections and specific modifications to the camera platform hold-down hooks and mounting arms to prevent potential failures that could compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. The policy objective behind this AD is to mitigate risks associated with the identified unsafe condition, ensuring that the aircraft continue to meet airworthiness standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, encompasses Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products. The scope of these regulations applies to all aircraft and aeronautical products within Australia, enforced under the authority of the Commonwealth. The regulations cover entities such as aircraft manufacturers, operators, maintenance organisations, and any other entities involved in the operation or maintenance of the specified aircraft. The regulations mandate specific actions to be taken when certain unsafe conditions are identified, as outlined in the Airworthiness Directives. Exclusions or exemptions from these directives are not generally applicable, as they are designed to maintain a uniform standard of safety across the industry. Any deviations or additional requirements may be stipulated through subordinate instruments, which can further refine the application and enforcement of the regulations.
Key Provisions
The main sections of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) outlined in the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) are the applicability, requirement, and compliance sections. The applicability section (AD/AS 355/80) specifies that the directive applies to Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters that have undergone certain modifications by Mann Aviation Group (Engineering) Ltd (MAG(E)), namely modifications 350-1521, 350-1680, or 350-1707, or have had a camera platform installed. The requirement section (section 1) mandates that operators inspect the camera platform hold down hook, replacing a specific part number if necessary, and modify the mounting arm, in accordance with specified service bulletins. The compliance section (section 2) stipulates that these actions must be completed within three months of 30 September 2004.
The obligations imposed by the AD on the relevant parties include conducting a thorough inspection of the camera platform hold down hook to ensure it meets the specified standards. If the part number 350-1521-109 hook is found to be installed, it must be replaced with the part number 350-1521-139 hook, as per the instructions detailed in the applicable service bulletins. Additionally, the mounting arm must be modified according to the same bulletins. These actions are necessary to mitigate the risk of inadequate retention of the platform and camera, which could pose a hazard to the helicopter.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in serious safety implications, as the directive is issued to address an unsafe condition identified by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). While the specific legal consequences of non-compliance are not detailed in the AD, it is reasonable to infer that any breach could lead to penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 or the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, depending on the severity of the safety breach. The potential penalties may include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other enforcement actions as deemed necessary by CASA to ensure compliance and maintain aviation safety standards.