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 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters
AD/DAUPHIN/59 “TRW-SAMM” Main Servocontrols 10/2002
Applicability: AS 365 helicopters versions N, N1, N2, and N3 equipped with “TRW-SAMM’ main servocontrols having any of the following Part Numbers (P/N) SC 8031, SC 8031A, SC 8031-1, SC 8031-2, SC 8032-1, SC 8032-2, SC 8033-1, SC 8033-2, SC 8034-1, or
SC 8034-2 which underwent their last complete overhaul or repair since overhaul at “HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE’, USA before March 1 2002.
Requirement: Remove the servocontrols and return them to “HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE” for a check of the thread condition and application torque as required in Eurocopter AS 365 N Alert Telex No. 67.00.08.
Note: DGAC 2002-312-056(A).
Compliance: 1. For servocontrols held as spares; prior to fitment to an aircraft.
2. For servocontrols that have been in service for less than 1000 flight hours since overhaul; within 550 flight hours or 3 October 2003, whichever comes first.
3. For servocontrols that have been in service between 1000 and 1300 flight hours since overhaul; prior to 1550 flight hours or 3 July 2003, whichever comes first.
4. For servocontrols that have been in service for more than 1300 flight hours since overhaul; within 250 flight hours or 3 March 2003 whichever comes first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 October 2002.
Background: An incorrect torque loading was found to have been applied to the end fitting that attaches the servocontrol cylinder to the upper ball end fitting. The incorrect torque may lead to failure of the threads on the fitting, leading to separation of the upper-end fitting and result in loss of control of the helicopter.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 August 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 September 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation, which includes specific Airworthiness Directives (ADs), is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and aims to address safety issues in the aviation industry. One such AD, AD/DAUPHIN/59, pertains specifically to Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters, focusing on the “TRW-SAMM” Main Servocontrols. This AD was issued in response to a discovered unsafe condition involving incorrect torque loading on the servocontrol cylinder, which could lead to thread failure, separation of the upper-end fitting, and consequent loss of helicopter control. The directive mandates the removal and inspection of specific servocontrols by authorised personnel and sets compliance timelines based on the flight hours since the last overhaul. The AD became effective on 3 October 2002, with the purpose of ensuring the airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies specifically to Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) series helicopters with certain versions of the “TRW-SAMM” main servocontrols, which have undergone their last complete overhaul or repair since overhaul at “HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE” in the USA before March 1, 2002. The AD mandates that these servocontrols be removed and returned to “HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE” for a check of the thread condition and application torque, as outlined in Eurocopter AS 365 N Alert Telex No. 67.00.08. The directive sets specific compliance timelines based on the number of flight hours since overhaul, ranging from immediate action for servocontrols held as spares to more extended timelines for those in service between certain flight hour thresholds. This AD is issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, reflecting the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's regulatory authority over civil aviation safety in Australia. The AD was made effective on 3 October 2002 and was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 September 2002.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/DAUPHIN/59 outline specific requirements for the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) series helicopters equipped with TRW-SAMM main servocontrols. Section (a) of the applicability specifies that the directive applies to AS 365 helicopters versions N, N1, N2, and N3 equipped with specified main servocontrols that underwent their last complete overhaul or repair before March 1, 2002. Section (b) of the requirement mandates the removal and return of these servocontrols to HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE for a check of the thread condition and application torque. This action is necessary to ensure that the torque loading on the end fitting attaching the servocontrol cylinder to the upper ball end fitting is correctly applied, thereby preventing potential failure and loss of control.
The obligations and requirements imposed by this AD are clear and specific. Operators and owners of the affected helicopters must ensure that the required action is taken on the servocontrols. This involves identifying the servocontrols that meet the criteria outlined in the applicability section and arranging for their removal and return to HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE. The directive further specifies the timelines for compliance based on the flight hours since overhaul, ensuring that corrective actions are taken within specific intervals to maintain airworthiness standards. Operators must also ensure that any spare servocontrols are checked before being fitted to an aircraft.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in civil and criminal consequences. The AD does not explicitly state penalties in the text provided, but non-compliance with ADs generally can lead to severe consequences under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The AD's directive nature implies that failure to adhere to the specified actions and timelines could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy. This could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including fines, suspension or revocation of airworthiness certificates, and potential criminal charges for serious breaches that result in accidents or endanger safety. The specific penalties for non-compliance with ADs can vary but may include significant fines and imprisonment for individuals found guilty of breaches that result in severe consequences.