AD/DAUPHIN/24 Amdt 1 - Rotating Swashplate Bearing

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, was enacted to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating in Australian airspace. This legislative instrument, AD/DAUPHIN/24 Amendment 1, addresses a critical safety issue concerning the swashplate bearings in the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) series helicopters. This directive was introduced to prevent accidents caused by the seizure of swashplate bearings, as evidenced by an incident involving an AS 350 helicopter. The objective of this directive, as stated in the requirement document, is to mandate specific inspections and maintenance actions on the Dauphin series helicopters to ensure the continued safety of flight operations. The enactment of this directive is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which aims to uphold the highest safety standards within Australia's civil aviation sector.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 pertains specifically to the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters, applying to all aircraft of these models where the specified swashplate bearings are fitted. The directive mandates that the action be taken in accordance with the Aerospatiale Service Bulletins 65.21 Rev. 1 or 62.07 Rev. 1, as applicable, to address the risk of swashplate bearing seizure which has been linked to accidents. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, given its enforcement under the Commonwealth of Australia’s civil aviation laws. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for all operators of the specified Dauphin helicopters, and non-compliance can result in serious safety implications. The directive may be enforced through subordinate instruments, allowing for further clarification or amendments as necessary to ensure continued airworthiness and safety standards.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandates safety directives for certain aircraft to ensure airworthiness, with a focus on the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters. Section AD/DAUPHIN/24Amdt 1 requires action concerning the rotating swashplate bearing, particularly for those helicopters equipped with swashplate bearing parts numbers 704A33.651.009, 704A33.651.051, 704A33.651.080, or 704A33.651.126. This action involves following the specifications laid out in either Aerospatiale Service Bulletin 65.21 Revision 1 or 62.07 Revision 1, as applicable. Compliance with these directives is crucial and must be documented in the Maintenance Release, with any defects noted and the precise AD reference included. Operators of the SA 360 and SA 365 series Dauphin helicopters are obligated to adhere strictly to these directives. This includes conducting inspections as per the specified service bulletins and documenting the actions taken. If the pilot in command performs the inspection, they must record the AD reference and any identified defects on the Maintenance Release. This ensures that the aircraft remains airworthy and meets the safety standards set forth by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Compliance with these regulations is mandatory to avoid any potential risks associated with the swashplate bearing issues. Failure to comply with these directives can result in serious safety hazards, potentially leading to accidents. The regulations establish clear consequences for non-compliance. While specific penalties are not detailed in the legislative instrument, breaches of airworthiness directives under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. The severity of these consequences underscores the importance of adhering to the stipulated safety measures to ensure the continued safe operation of the Dauphin helicopters.