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 355/81 Hydraulic Fluid in Cold Weather 10/2004
Applicability: AS 355 E helicopters that operate in a flight envelope where the outside air temperature (OAT) is below -15 C (+5 F).
Requirement: Insert the following into the aircraft flight manual: “Do not operate the helicopter in an environment where the OAT is below -15 C (+5 F) unless the hydraulic system fluid has been replaced in the previous 110 flight hours or 1 calendar month, whichever occurs first”.
This may be accomplished by placing a copy of this Directive in the aircraft flight manual at Section 2 Limitations, or in Supplement 4 Instructions for operation in cold weather.
Note 1: DGAC AD F-2004-056 refers. (EASA reference no. 2004-4047 of April 20 2004).
Note 2: Where operation in an environment where the OAT is below -15 C (+5 F) is anticipated, the due date for the next hydraulic oil change could be entered in the Maintenance Release as maintenance required.
Compliance: Within 14 days of the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 September 2004.
Background: Ice has formed in some parts of the flight control system where the hydraulic system was highly contaminated with water, causing malfunction in helicopters operating at below -15 C (+5 F). This Directive requires the flight crew to be aware of the maintenance requirement before commencing cold weather operations.
Gary J Carrs
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 20 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, amended by the Airworthiness Directive (AD/AS 355/81) issued in 2004, addresses the issue of ice formation in the flight control system of Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters operating in extremely cold weather conditions. The AD was introduced in response to reports of hydraulic system contamination with water, which led to malfunctions at temperatures below -15 C (+5 F). The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued this directive to ensure the safety of operations in such conditions by mandating specific maintenance actions and operational limitations. The policy objective is to prevent potential hazards caused by ice formation in the hydraulic system, thereby enhancing the overall safety of helicopter operations in cold environments.
Scope and Application
This legislative instrument pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, which is concerned with Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) series helicopters that are operated in environments where the outside air temperature (OAT) is below -15 C (+5 F). The AD mandates that a specific instruction be added to the aircraft's flight manual to ensure that the hydraulic system fluid must be replaced in the previous 110 flight hours or 1 calendar month, whichever occurs first, before operating in such cold conditions. This requirement is intended to prevent ice formation and subsequent malfunction in the flight control system due to water contamination in the hydraulic system. The AD is effective from 30 September 2004, with compliance required within 14 days of its effective date. The directive is applicable nationally and is enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, a delegate of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, pertain to the Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) (39.1(1)). This directive specifically addresses hydraulic fluid management in Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters operating in low temperatures. The directive mandates that if the outside air temperature (OAT) is below -15°C (+5°F), operators must ensure the hydraulic system fluid has been changed within the last 110 flight hours or 1 calendar month, whichever is sooner (AD/AS 355/81). This requirement is to be documented in the aircraft's flight manual, either in Section 2 Limitations or Supplement 4 Instructions for operation in cold weather.
The obligations imposed by this Airworthiness Directive on operators of the Eurocopter AS 355 series include ensuring that the hydraulic system fluid is appropriately changed under the specified conditions. Operators must incorporate the directive's instruction into their flight manuals and be prepared to adhere to these maintenance protocols to ensure safe operations in cold weather environments. Additionally, operators should consider recording the due date for the next hydraulic oil change in the Maintenance Release as a maintenance requirement if operations in extremely cold conditions are anticipated.
Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive may result in safety hazards due to the risk of hydraulic system malfunctions caused by ice formation in the flight control system. While the regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, the potential consequences of ignoring these directives could include significant safety risks, aircraft grounding, and possible enforcement actions by CASA. The seriousness of such non-compliance underscores the importance of adhering to these safety mandates.