AD/DAUPHIN/17 - Hydraulic System

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, are a comprehensive set of rules governing the safety and operation of civil aviation in Australia. The regulations address various aspects of aviation, including the issuance of airworthiness directives. One such directive, AD/DAUPHIN/17, pertains specifically to the hydraulic systems of Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) series helicopters. This directive was introduced to address a safety concern identified with the hydraulic systems of these models, ensuring they meet the necessary safety standards before further flight. The policy objective behind this directive is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation by ensuring that any potential faults in the aircraft's hydraulic systems are rectified in accordance with the relevant service bulletins and regulatory references. The directive mandates compliance with Aerospatiale SA360 and 365 Service Bulletin No. 29-01, and references French AD 86-176-27(B), ensuring that all affected helicopters are equipped with a spring spacer to prevent overpressure in the hydraulic systems. This action must be completed before further flight after 31 December 1986, and for spares, before installation in an aircraft after the same date. This legislative instrument plays a crucial role in maintaining the safety standards of civil aviation in Australia by addressing specific technical issues in aircraft maintenance and operations.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, mandate specific airworthiness directives that apply to the operation and maintenance of Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters. These directives are designed to ensure the safety of these aircraft by enforcing compliance with specific maintenance and operational standards. Specifically, the directive AD/DAUPHIN/17 pertains to the hydraulic system of all Model SA360C, SA365C, C1, C2, and C3 helicopters, mandating adherence to Aerospatiale SA360 and 365 Service Bulletin No. 29-01. This action must be taken in accordance with the French AD 86-176-27(B). Compliance is required before further flight or installation of spares after 31 December 1986, with the primary objective of preventing overpressure in the hydraulic systems by fitting a spring spacer to address potential failures of the regulator valve stem flange. This regulation extends to all operators and maintenance personnel working on these helicopter models within Australian jurisdiction, ensuring that safety standards are uniformly applied to maintain airworthiness across the industry.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters. Within this Schedule, AD/DAUPHIN/17 (1/87 DM) addresses the hydraulic system of the Dauphin helicopters. This directive applies to all Model SA360C, SA365C, C1, C2, and C3 helicopters (Section 1). The requirement outlined in this directive is that actions must be taken in accordance with Aerospatiale SA360 and 365 Service Bulletin No. 29-01, with reference to French AD 86-176-27(B) (Section 2). To ensure compliance, the actions specified must be completed before any further flight after 31 December 1986, and for any spares that are to be installed in an aircraft after the same date (Section 3). The directive is designed to enhance safety by ensuring that a spring spacer is fitted to prevent overpressure in the hydraulic systems, a critical measure to be taken if the flange of the regulator valve stem should come off (Section 4). The obligations imposed by this directive are clear: operators of the specified Dauphin helicopters must adhere to the detailed actions set out in Aerospatiale’s Service Bulletin No. 29-01. This involves ensuring that any maintenance or installation of hydraulic system components is performed in line with the bulletin's instructions. Failure to comply with these requirements before the specified date will render the aircraft non-airworthy and subject to regulatory enforcement actions (Section 5). In terms of consequences, any failure to comply with the provisions of this directive can lead to serious civil and criminal penalties. Operators found to be in breach of the regulations may face fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, and other enforcement actions as prescribed by the Civil Aviation Regulations. The maximum penalties can vary depending on the severity and circumstances of the breach, but they are designed to ensure stringent adherence to safety standards (Section 6).