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/41 Free Wheel Assembly 9/94
Applicability: All model SA 365 helicopters versions C, C1, C2 and C3 equipped with free wheel assembly P/N 365A35.1004.00.
Requirement: Unless previously carried out action in accordance with Eurocopter Telex Service No 10040.SI/0145/94 dated 25 May 1994.
Note: DGAC AD 94-145-039(B) refers.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement Document with a revised effective date of 20 August 1994.
Background: The manufacturer has advised that following an incident the free wheel assembly in the helicopter was found without oil.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. These regulations cover a wide range of aspects related to airworthiness, licensing, and operational standards for aircraft. Among the various legislative instruments under these regulations, F2006B08752, specifically PART 39 - 105, focuses on issuing airworthiness directives to address safety issues in certain aircraft models. This particular legislative instrument targets the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters, issuing AD/DAUPHIN/41 to rectify issues with the free wheel assembly that was found without oil following an incident, as reported by the manufacturer. The policy objective is to ensure that all aircraft meet the required safety standards, thereby protecting passengers, crew, and the public from potential hazards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, encompasses Airworthiness Directives that apply to particular aircraft models to ensure safety and compliance within the Australian aviation industry. The legislative instrument F2006B08752 pertains to the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters, focusing on the free wheel assembly of the SA 365 models C, C1, C2, and C3 equipped with specific parts numbers. This directive applies to all such helicopters unless they have previously undergone the required actions as per the Eurocopter Telex Service No 10040.SI/0145/94 dated 25 May 1994. The regulation is in line with the DGAC AD 94-145-039(B) and requires compliance with the specified requirements from the amended effective date of 20 August 1994. This legislation ensures that the identified safety concerns are addressed and managed within the designated aircraft models operating under Australian jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for various aircraft types. Within this schedule, AD/DAUPHIN/41 pertains to the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) series helicopters, focusing on the free wheel assembly. Section (1) outlines the applicability of this directive to all model SA 365 helicopters, versions C, C1, C2, and C3, which are equipped with a specific free wheel assembly part number (P/N 365A35.1004.00). The directive requires compliance unless the specified action has already been carried out in accordance with Eurocopter Telex Service No 10040.SI/0145/94 dated 25 May 1994. It also notes the relevance of DGAC AD 94-145-039(B) and specifies compliance should align with the Requirement Document, with an effective date set for 20 August 1994.
Entities governed by this directive, such as helicopter operators and maintenance providers, have specific obligations to adhere to the requirements outlined in the directive. This includes ensuring that all applicable SA 365 helicopters are assessed for the condition of their free wheel assemblies. If the free wheel assembly has not previously been serviced in accordance with the Eurocopter Telex Service No 10040.SI/0145/94, they must take the necessary actions to comply with the directive. This involves inspecting the free wheel assembly and, if necessary, replacing or repairing it to ensure it is in proper working order and adequately lubricated. The compliance must be documented and verified by a CASA-approved maintenance organisation to ensure the helicopter meets airworthiness standards.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this directive can lead to serious consequences. Under Section 14 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties could lead to imprisonment. The exact penalties depend on the severity and frequency of the breach, but they are designed to enforce strict adherence to aviation safety standards. Operators who fail to comply with airworthiness directives risk the safety of their aircraft and passengers, which can lead to severe regulatory action and potential grounding of the affected helicopters until compliance is achieved.