Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) are the primary set of regulations governing civil aviation in Australia. One of the key components of this legislative framework is the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, which provides for the issuance of directives to address safety concerns identified with specific aircraft or aeronautical products. This Airworthiness Directive (AD) was enacted to address a safety issue identified in the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters, specifically concerning the SIREN cargo hooks part number AS-21-5-7. The AD was introduced to prevent inadvertent cargo load release due to corrosion of the cargo hook locking catch combined with in-flight vibrations. It was issued by a delegate of the CASA under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998, with the policy objective of ensuring the safety of air operations. The AD became effective on 6 February 2002, and the issuing delegate signed the directive on 30 January 2002.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under Part 39 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 applies specifically to Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters, namely the AS 365 models N, N1, N2, and N3, which are fitted with SIREN cargo hooks part number AS-21-5-7. The directive mandates corrective actions to mitigate the risk of inadvertent cargo release due to corrosion of the cargo hook locking catch exacerbated by in-flight vibrations. This requirement is applicable to all such aircraft regardless of the entity or individual operating them, ensuring the safety of air operations involving these specific helicopter models. The AD is effective across the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforceable by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which has the jurisdiction to mandate and oversee compliance with safety directives within the national aviation framework. The directive does not specify any exclusions or exemptions, indicating that all applicable aircraft must comply with the outlined requirements without exception. The AD can be further detailed or modified through subordinate instruments issued by CASA, allowing for adjustments as new information or technological advancements emerge.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) applies specifically to Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters, particularly models AS 365 N, N1, N2, and N3 fitted with SIREN cargo hooks part number AS-21-5-7 (section 3). The directive, issued on 3 February 2002 by a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), mandates specific actions to address an unsafe condition related to cargo hook locking catch corrosion and its potential to cause inadvertent cargo load release due to in-flight vibrations. The directive came into effect on 6 February 2002 and was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on the same day. In terms of the requirements, the AD specifies different actions for cargo hooks with and without amendment B. For cargo hooks part number AS-21-5-7 with amendment B, the required action is detailed in paragraph 2.B of Eurocopter Alert Telex No. 05.00.41 (section 4(a)). Conversely, for cargo hooks part number AS-21-5-7 without amendment B, the directive requires the action outlined in paragraph 2.A of the same telex (section 4(b)). This directive was issued in response to a requirement by the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which necessitated these specific actions to mitigate the identified safety risk. Operators and owners of the affected helicopters must ensure compliance with the AD. This involves performing the specified actions before the next flight after 6 February 2002, and before the first flight of the day with an underslung load (section 5). For helicopters fitted with cargo hooks without amendment B, the action must be taken before the next flight with an underslung load after 6 February 2002, and before the first flight of the day with an underslung load (section 5(2)). Failure to comply with these requirements could potentially result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to significant operational disruptions and potential safety risks. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences detailed within this AD itself. However, non-compliance with an AD can lead to serious repercussions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations. This can include fines, imprisonment, or both, as well as the grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are satisfactorily completed. The exact penalties would be determined by the relevant aviation authority based on the severity and circumstances of the non-compliance.