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/42 Fuel Filter Elements 11/94
Applicability: All model SA 365 C, C1, C2, C3, and AS 365 N, N1 and N2 helicopters. Requirement: Action in accordance with Eurocopter AS 365 C mandatory SB No 28-04 or
Eurocopter SA 365 N mandatory SB No 28-22, as applicable.
Note: DGAC AD 94-149-038(B) refers to C series helicopters while DGAC AD 94- 148-037(B) refers to N series helicopters.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service from 13 October 1994 or by 31 January 1995, whichever occurs first.
Background: The manufacturer has advised that incorrect P/N airframe fuel filter elements have been supplied.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the issue of ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft, with a focus on the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) series helicopters. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, these regulations were introduced to ensure that all civil aircraft in Australia meet specific safety standards. The legislation was designed to fill the gap in addressing safety concerns raised by the manufacturing and operational communities regarding the fuel filter elements of these helicopter models. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directives to mandate compliance with specific service bulletins from Eurocopter to rectify issues with incorrectly supplied fuel filter elements. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the safety and reliability of these helicopters by enforcing timely compliance with the manufacturer's safety bulletins.
This legislative instrument is a crucial step in maintaining the integrity of civil aviation safety in Australia, ensuring that all aircraft operate within the highest safety standards. CASA's involvement in issuing these directives highlights the importance of proactive safety measures and adherence to international aviation safety protocols. By mandating compliance within a specific timeframe, the regulations aim to prevent potential hazards associated with incorrect fuel filter elements, thereby protecting both the aircraft and its occupants.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as part of the legislative instrument F2006B08753, specifically address the airworthiness directives for Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) series helicopters through Part 39 - 105. This regulation applies to all model SA 365 C, C1, C2, C3, and AS 365 N, N1, and N2 helicopters, mandating compliance with Eurocopter's service bulletins to ensure the correct installation of airframe fuel filter elements. The requirement for compliance must be met within 100 hours of time in service from 13 October 1994 or by 31 January 1995, whichever occurs first. This legislative directive extends its reach across the Commonwealth of Australia, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, ensuring that all specified helicopter models adhere to the stipulated safety measures. The application of this regulation is clear and direct, with no stated exclusions or exemptions, and is enforced through subordinate instruments that may further detail compliance requirements and procedures.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, mandate Airworthiness Directives for the maintenance and operation of certain aircraft to ensure safety. In this instance, the directive AD/DAUPHIN/42 addresses the issue of fuel filter elements for Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) series helicopters (Section 1). This directive applies to all model SA 365 C, C1, C2, C3, and AS 365 N, N1 and N2 helicopters (Section 2). The requirement is to comply with Eurocopter's Service Bulletins: AS 365 C mandatory SB No 28-04 for C series helicopters and SA 365 N mandatory SB No 28-22 for N series helicopters (Section 3). The relevant French civil aviation authority directives are DGAC AD 94-149-038(B) and DGAC AD 94-148-037(B), respectively (Section 4).
Operators of these helicopters are obligated to ensure that the corrective actions specified in the relevant service bulletins are implemented. This involves replacing or modifying the fuel filter elements as instructed to avoid the risk associated with incorrect parts being supplied (Section 5). The compliance period mandates that these actions be taken within 100 hours of time in service from 13 October 1994 or by 31 January 1995, whichever comes first (Section 6).
Failure to comply with the directive may result in serious safety risks, as the incorrect parts could potentially lead to fuel system failures. Although the Civil Aviation Regulations do not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance in this directive, general provisions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 allow for enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of non-compliant aircraft (Section 7). The severity of penalties can vary, but they are intended to enforce adherence to safety standards and protect public safety (Section 8).