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/36 Electronic/Electric Panels 7/93
Applicability: Dauphin SA 365 helicopters versions N, N1 and N2.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Eurocopter France Mandatory SA 365 Service Bulletin No 39.03R1 (date code 93-13).
Note: DGAC AD 87-167-022(B)R1 dated 28 April 1993 refers.)
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 24 June 1993.
Background: Reports have been received by the DGAC of chafing of electrical wiring harnesses, which could in turn cause electrical shorts and smoke and/or fire in the cockpit.
Compliance with this Directive will detect any damage and decrease the possibility of further damage being caused to wiring harnesses.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, form part of a comprehensive legislative framework designed to ensure the safety and regulation of civil aviation within Australia. Specifically, PART 39 - 105 of these Regulations addresses the authority to issue airworthiness directives, ensuring that aircraft, their parts, and appliances meet safety standards. The legislative instrument F2006B08747, which pertains to the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) series helicopters, was introduced to address the identified safety issue of chafing of electrical wiring harnesses. This problem, which had been reported by the French civil aviation authority, posed a significant risk of electrical shorts, smoke, and potential fire within the cockpit. The directive aims to mandate specific actions in line with Eurocopter France’s service bulletin to mitigate this risk and ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected Dauphin SA 365 helicopters. Compliance with this directive is mandated within 100 hours of time in service after the specified date, ensuring prompt attention to the identified safety concerns.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, establish a Civil Aviation Safety Authority schedule of airworthiness directives which apply to specific aircraft models, including the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) series helicopters. The regulations mandate that Dauphin SA 365 helicopters in versions N, N1, and N2 must comply with Eurocopter France's Mandatory SA 365 Service Bulletin No 39.03R1 (date code 93-13). This action requirement stems from reports of chafing of electrical wiring harnesses, which could lead to electrical shorts and potential cockpit fires. The directive specifies that compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service after 24 June 1993. The jurisdictional reach of these regulations is national, governed by the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring uniformity in airworthiness standards across the country. Any exclusions or exemptions are not mentioned in this directive, and it is enforceable through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, with potential extensions or restrictions being detailed in subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, includes a schedule of airworthiness directives that are essential for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft, such as the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters. This regulation specifies detailed requirements for certain aircraft models, mandating compliance with specific service bulletins to address identified safety issues. For instance, AD/DAUPHIN/36 pertains to the electronic/electric panels of Dauphin SA 365 helicopters, particularly versions N, N1, and N2 (paragraph 1(a)). The directive requires that actions be taken in accordance with Eurocopter France Mandatory SA 365 Service Bulletin No 39.03R1, which is dated 93-13 (paragraph 1(b)). This directive references the French civil aviation authority's AD 87-167-022(B)R1 dated 28 April 1993, highlighting the international coordination in addressing safety concerns (paragraph 1(c)).
Operators of Dauphin SA 365 helicopters must ensure compliance with these directives to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. Specifically, the directive mandates that any required actions be completed within 100 hours of time in service after 24 June 1993 (paragraph 1(d)). This timeframe is critical for addressing potential safety issues that could arise from chafing of electrical wiring harnesses, which have been reported to cause electrical shorts and potentially lead to smoke or fire in the cockpit (paragraph 1(e)). By following the specified service bulletin, operators can detect any damage to wiring harnesses and reduce the risk of further damage, ensuring the continued safety of the aircraft (paragraph 1(f)).
Failure to comply with these airworthiness directives can result in significant consequences. Operators who do not adhere to the specified requirements may face regulatory action, which could include fines, penalties, or even the grounding of their aircraft (paragraph 2). The exact penalties for non-compliance are not detailed within the provided text but generally, non-compliance with civil aviation regulations can lead to severe civil or criminal penalties, depending on the severity of the breach and its impact on aviation safety (paragraph 3). The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces these regulations, and persistent non-compliance could result in more stringent measures, including the revocation of operating certificates (paragraph 4). Thus, it is crucial for operators to strictly adhere to the mandated service bulletins and timelines to avoid these potential repercussions (paragraph 5).