AD/DAUPHIN/54 - Fuselage 9 Degree Frame Reinforced Latch Support

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted to regulate civil aviation safety in Australia and to establish standards and procedures for maintaining aircraft airworthiness. This regulation was introduced to address the need for comprehensive and enforceable safety standards within the aviation industry, ensuring that aircraft and aeronautical products meet safety requirements to protect passengers, crew, and the general public. The CAR 1998 is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which acts as the delegate for the Australian Government in enforcing these regulations. The policy objective of CAR 1998 is to maintain a high standard of safety in civil aviation by ensuring that all aircraft and aeronautical products are airworthy and comply with specified regulations and directives. This is achieved through detailed requirements and directives, such as the Airworthiness Directive (AD) for specific aircraft models, which mandate necessary actions to correct identified unsafe conditions.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) applies specifically to Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 Series Helicopters, particularly the AS 365 versions N, N1, N2, and N3 that have undergone modifications as per MOD 0753B31 or have incorporated Eurocopter AS 365 N Service Bulletin No.53.00.20. Notably, helicopters delivered from 15 October 2000 are exempt from this directive. The directive mandates corrective actions aimed at addressing an unsafe condition, which necessitates adherence to Eurocopter AS 365 N Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.00.42. The directive requires compliance within 50 flight hours after 30 May 2001, with subsequent repetitive inspections as outlined in the requirement document until a flange reinforcement plate is installed or a repair is completed as per the specified paragraphs. This directive, which became effective on 30 May 2001, is applicable nationally within Australia, enforcing safety measures across the industry to ensure airworthiness.

Key Provisions

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertains specifically to the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 series helicopters, and more precisely, to those versions N, N1, N2, and N3 that have undergone certain modifications or have incorporated specific service bulletins (sections (a) and (b) of the AD). The directive applies to these aircraft unless they were delivered after 15 October 2000 (section (c) of the AD). The action required by the AD involves following the instructions outlined in Eurocopter AS 365 N Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.00.42, which includes specific steps to address a discovered crack in the left side of the fuselage 9 degree frame (section (a) of the Requirement). This directive mandates compliance within 50 flight hours after 30 May 2001 or if the specified conditions have not yet been met (section (c) of the Requirement). The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators of the affected aircraft. These operators must adhere to the instructions outlined in the AD, which includes conducting inspections and taking corrective actions as directed in Eurocopter AS 365 N Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.00.42. This encompasses initial inspections within the specified timeframe and subsequent repetitive inspections until either a flange reinforcement plate is installed or a repair is completed, as per the bulletin (section (a) of the Requirement). Operators are also required to ensure that these actions are carried out in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in the Requirement section of the AD. The AD does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance within its text. However, given the regulatory nature of airworthiness directives issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, failure to comply with this AD could potentially lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Such actions might include grounding of the affected aircraft, fines, or other regulatory penalties as deemed appropriate under the relevant aviation safety legislation. The exact nature and severity of these consequences would be determined based on the specific circumstances of non-compliance and the regulatory framework governing civil aviation in Australia.