AD/DAUPHIN/31 - Electric Hoist Installation

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES, was enacted to ensure the ongoing airworthiness and safety of aircraft within Australian airspace. This specific legislative instrument, F2006B08742, addresses a safety concern regarding the inadvertent activation of pyrotechnic cable cutting devices on Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) series helicopters. These helicopters, when equipped with certain Lucas Air Equipment hoists, had experienced issues with the pyrotechnic cable cutting device firing unintentionally, which posed a risk during operations. The policy objective of this legislation is to mitigate such risks by requiring specific modifications and checks to the electric hoist installation, thereby enhancing the safety and reliability of the aircraft during flight operations. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, this regulation falls under the purview of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aiming to uphold stringent safety standards within the aviation industry. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, through the PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES, specifically target the safety of Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) series helicopters equipped with certain hoist variants. The problem this legislation was introduced to address is the inadvertent firing of pyrotechnic cable cutting devices, which has been a recurring issue affecting the safety of these aircraft. The regulations mandate the installation of bonding braids and periodic bonding checks for certain configurations of the electric hoists, while prohibiting the reinstallation of the pyrotechnic cable cutting squib in certain scenarios. By implementing these measures, the legislation seeks to reduce the likelihood of uncommanded cable cuts, thereby enhancing the overall safety of these helicopters during flight operations. This directive is a critical component of the broader regulatory framework overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring that all civil aviation activities within Australia meet the highest safety standards.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has issued specific Airworthiness Directives (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, targeting the maintenance and operational safety of Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series helicopters equipped with specific hoists. These ADs apply to all SA 360, 361, and 365 helicopters, including variants C, C1, C2, and C3, provided they are equipped with the specified Lucas Air Equipment hoists. The regulations mandate the installation and periodic checks of bonding braids to mitigate the risk of inadvertent pyrotechnic cable cutting, which has occurred in the past, leading to safety concerns. Compliance with these directives is essential for maintaining the airworthiness of these aircraft, ensuring that operators adhere to the prescribed timelines and procedures for modifications and checks. These regulations are applicable nationally, overseen by CASA, and extend to all operators within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring a consistent approach to air safety across the country.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, outlines detailed provisions for the airworthiness of Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters, focusing on the electric hoist installation (AD/DAUPHIN/31). For helicopters listed in the applicable requirement document and equipped with specific Lucas Air Equipment hoist parts, there are clear requirements and compliance timelines established to ensure the safety of these aircraft. Firstly, for helicopters that have not yet incorporated the modification AMS 07.45B73, it is mandatory to install bonding braids as per Aerospatiale Mandatory Service Bulletins No 25-12 or No 25.19, as applicable. Additionally, a bonding check must be performed in accordance with these bulletins. For helicopters that have already incorporated the AMS 07.45B73 modification, only a bonding check is required as per the same bulletins, and the pyrotechnic cable cutting squib must not be re-installed. These checks must be carried out within 50 hours of service time after 12 January 1992 and no later than 12 March 1992 for initial compliance. Subsequent checks are mandated every 500 hours of service time or every 18 months, whichever is sooner, and each time the hoist or hoist arm is removed and reinstalled. The obligations under this legislation impose stringent requirements on the owners and operators of the affected helicopters. They must ensure that the specified modifications and checks are performed timely and correctly. This involves adhering to the prescribed schedules and procedures outlined in the Aerospatiale bulletins. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to significant safety risks, as the aim is to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent pyrotechnic cable cuts which could compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. The Civil Aviation Regulations also detail the consequences for non-compliance with these airworthiness directives. While the specific penalties are not outlined in the provided text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in severe civil and criminal penalties. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to accidents or other serious safety incidents. The seriousness of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the specified requirements to maintain the safety and airworthiness of the helicopters involved.