COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.
Eurocopter SA 360 & SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters
AD/DAUPHIN/53 Fuselage 9 Degree Frame Stretcher Support 7/2001
DM
Applicability: AS 365 helicopters, versions N, N1, N2, and N3.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Eurocopter AS 365 N Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.00.43.
Note: DGAC AD 2001-061-053(A) refers.
Compliance: For the initial check, unless already accomplished:
- Within 50 flight hours after 30 May 2001 for aircraft that have accumulated more than 5250 total flight hours;
b. Before the accumulation of 5300 total flight hours for aircraft that have accumulated less than 5250 total flight hours.
Thereafter accomplish repetitive inspections as specified in the Requirement document until a flange reinforcement plate is installed in accordance with paragraph
2.B.2 of the Requirement document , or a customised repair defined by Eurocopter is accomplished.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 May 2001.
Background: The DGAC received a report of a web of insufficient thickness at one of the attachment holes of the stretcher support on the 9 degree fuselage frame. This deficiency was discovered during a check by the manufacturer, and if not corrected, could lead to crack propagation.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 May 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 30 May 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, serve as the foundational legislative instrument governing aviation safety and operations in the country. This regulatory framework was introduced to address the need for a cohesive and enforceable set of rules to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation activities. One particular instrument under these regulations is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). AD/DAUPHIN/53, issued in 2001, targets a specific safety concern identified with the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters. The directive mandates corrective actions to address a potential unsafe condition involving the 9-degree frame stretcher support on the fuselage, as reported by the Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) of France. The policy objective of this AD is to mitigate the risk of crack propagation by requiring inspections and necessary repairs, thereby ensuring the continued airworthiness of the affected helicopters.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 – 105, specifically pertain to Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of aircraft in Australian airspace. This legislation applies to specific models of Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters, namely the AS 365 versions N, N1, N2, and N3. The directive mandates actions to address an unsafe condition identified in the fuselage 9 degree frame stretcher support, requiring compliance with Eurocopter AS 365 N Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.00.43. The compliance timeline varies based on the aircraft's total flight hours, necessitating inspections and actions within specific intervals to prevent crack propagation and ensure continued airworthiness. The directive becomes effective from 30 May 2001 and is enforceable across the Commonwealth, with its provisions extending to all relevant aircraft operating within Australia.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) are found in the applicability, requirement, and compliance sections. The applicability section (a) specifies that the AD applies to AS 365 helicopters, versions N, N1, N2, and N3. The requirement section (b) mandates that the action set out in Eurocopter AS 365 N Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.00.43 must be taken in the circumstances outlined. The compliance section (c) details when the checks must be performed: within 50 flight hours after 30 May 2001 for aircraft that have accumulated more than 5250 total flight hours, or before the accumulation of 5300 total flight hours for aircraft with less than 5250 flight hours. Repetitive inspections must continue until a flange reinforcement plate is installed or a customised repair is made.
The obligations imposed by this AD include ensuring that the specified inspections and actions are carried out on the applicable helicopters. Operators of the affected helicopters must comply with the requirements set out in the Eurocopter AS 365 N Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.00.43. This includes conducting initial and repetitive inspections as specified until the corrective actions are completed. The AD also requires operators to maintain records of compliance with the AD.
Failure to comply with this AD may result in significant safety risks, as the web of insufficient thickness at the attachment holes could lead to crack propagation. The AD itself does not specify offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach, but non-compliance could potentially lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998. Such actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, or other regulatory measures deemed necessary by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.