AD/DAUPHIN/60 Amdt 1 - Main Rotor and Tail Rotor Dynamic Components

Overview

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in 2003 under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 addresses safety concerns related to discrepancies in the computer system used by the Eurocopter Helicopter Maintenance and Overhaul Facility (D.E.R.H.). Specifically, the AD focuses on Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters that have undergone repair or overhaul involving dynamic components. The directive was enacted to rectify the issue of incorrect operating hours recorded on Equipment Log Cards, which could potentially lead to the dispatch of parts with incorrect service history. The policy objective behind this AD is to ensure the airworthiness and safety of these helicopters by mandating specific actions, including checking the parts against the directives and adhering to the instructions provided in the relevant Alert Service Bulletins. The AD was issued to align with a revision by the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which introduced Alert Service Bulletins in place of Alert Telexes.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/DAUPHIN/60 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies to all Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters, specifically models SA 365 C, C1, C2, and C3, and models AS 365 N, N1, N2, and N3. This AD mandates specific actions for dynamic components that have undergone overhaul or repair at the Eurocopter Helicopter Maintenance and Overhaul Facility (D.E.R.H.), as detailed in Tables 1 and 2 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletins No. 65.41 or No. 62.00.19. The directive requires operators to verify the components' condition using the Equipment Log Cards (FMEs) and, if necessary, replace or remove parts that exceed their life limits. Compliance with these requirements must occur within 10 flight hours after 11 September 2002, or within 50 flight hours after determining that the life limit has been exceeded. The AD is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and is enforced through subordinate instruments as necessary to ensure safety and compliance with airworthiness standards.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) in question applies specifically to Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) series helicopters, models SA 365 C, C1, C2, C3, AS 365 N, N1, N2, and N3, equipped with dynamic components following overhaul or repair at the Eurocopter Helicopter Maintenance and Overhaul Facility (D.E.R.H.). This directive, issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, is designed to address discrepancies in the D.E.R.H. computer system that result in incorrect completion of Equipment Log Cards. Specifically, these discrepancies may cause parts that have undergone repair or overhaul to be dispatched with incorrect operating hours, potentially leading to unsafe conditions. The directive mandates that operators of the affected helicopters must check the Equipment Log Cards of their dynamic components to ascertain whether any parts are affected by this AD. This check is to be conducted in accordance with the instructions specified in paragraph 2.B.1 of Alert Service Bulletin No. 65.41 or No. 62.00.19, as applicable. If no affected parts are found, no further action is required. However, if affected parts are identified, operators must follow the instructions in paragraph 2.B.2 of the aforementioned bulletins to correct the issue. Additionally, if a part's operating hours exceed its life limit, it must be removed or the assembly that contains it must be removed in accordance with paragraph 2.B.2.2 of the bulletins. Operators are also required to follow paragraph 2.B of Alert Bulletin No. 65.41 or No. 62.00.19 before installing any dynamically stored components on aircraft. Operators of the affected helicopters must comply with the directive within 10 flight hours after 11 September 2002, unless the required actions have already been taken. If a part’s life limit has been exceeded, the necessary corrective actions must be completed within 50 flight hours of the determination. Failure to comply with the AD may result in non-compliance with safety standards, potentially leading to unsafe aircraft conditions. The AD specifies no explicit penalties for non-compliance, but non-compliance could result in enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including the potential grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. This AD also amends a previous directive, AD/DAUPHIN/60, which was issued on 11 September 2002. The amendment becomes effective on 2 October 2003, reflecting a revision of the related DGAC AD that introduces Alert Service Bulletins in place of previously referenced Alert Telexes, without changing the technical content. The AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 10 September 2003, ensuring that all relevant parties are informed of the new requirements and obligations.