COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters
AD/DAUPHIN/12 Securaiglon (Ex L’Aiglon) Safety Belts - Modification
9/84
Applicability: All model SA360, 361 and 365C equipped with passenger seat belts identified in Paragraph 1 of Service Bulletin TRW No. 01.
Requirement: Aerospatiale SB No. 01.14 and TRW RAPA SA SB No.01. Compliance: Modify prior to 31 January 1985.
Background: Manufacturer reports instances where the buckle had jammed in the locked position.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), is a comprehensive body of rules that governs various aspects of civil aviation in Australia. One particular legislative instrument, F2006B08725, pertains to the safety of Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters, specifically addressing the safety of passenger seat belts in these aircraft. This directive was introduced to address the risk of buckle jamming in the locked position, a safety concern reported by the manufacturer. The policy objective is to ensure that all applicable helicopters are modified to comply with Aerospatiale SB No. 01 and TRW RAPA SA SB No.01, to be completed by 31 January 1985, thereby mitigating potential risks associated with the malfunctioning seat belts. This regulation underscores the commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation by promptly addressing identified safety issues.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, which pertains to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to all Eurocopter SA 360, 361, and 365C series helicopters equipped with passenger seat belts as identified in Paragraph 1 of Service Bulletin TRW No. 01. This regulation is a Commonwealth requirement, thereby enforcing its stipulations across the entire nation under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The directive mandates compliance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No. 01.14 and TRW RAPA SA Service Bulletin No. 01, which necessitates modifications to Securaiglon (Ex L’Aiglon) safety belts to ensure they are free from the reported issue of the buckle jamming in the locked position. All affected helicopters must complete these modifications prior to 31 January 1985. The regulation does not explicitly state any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds, implying that all specified helicopters must comply with the directive without exception. This requirement can be further detailed or extended through subordinate instruments as necessary by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, specifically addresses the airworthiness directives for the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters. Section AD/DAUPHIN/12 pertains to Securaiglon (Ex L’Aiglon) safety belts, which must be modified in accordance with certain directives. This applies to all models SA360, 361, and 365C helicopters equipped with passenger seat belts as identified in Paragraph 1 of Service Bulletin TRW No. 01. The requirement is to ensure compliance with Aerospatiale SB No. 01 and TRW RAPA SA SB No.01. It mandates that these modifications must be completed by 31 January 1985.
The obligations imposed by these regulations are clear: operators of the specified helicopters must ensure that the passenger seat belts are modified as per the manufacturer's directives to prevent any malfunction, particularly the jamming of the buckles in the locked position. This requirement is crucial for maintaining the safety of passengers on board these aircraft. Failure to adhere to these specifications could potentially compromise the safety and compliance of the aircraft, leading to potential grounding of the helicopter if it does not meet the necessary airworthiness standards.
Non-compliance with the airworthiness directives can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 include provisions for both civil and criminal penalties for those who fail to adhere to the mandated modifications. Civil penalties can include fines, and in severe cases, criminal charges may be filed against the operators or responsible parties. The maximum penalties for such offences can be significant, reflecting the importance of adhering to these safety standards to protect lives. Therefore, operators must take the necessary steps to ensure that all safety modifications are completed in a timely and effective manner to avoid these severe repercussions.