AD/DAUPHIN/64 Amdt 1 - Fuel - Air Vent Hoses

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Airworthiness Directive (AD) for the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters to address a safety risk associated with fuel leaks, specifically due to interference between the air vent hose and the attachment screws of the latch support of the right-hand front door. This AD, issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, mandates that inspections and necessary rectifications be carried out on the specified helicopters to ensure compliance with safety standards. The directive, which became effective on 23 December 2004, requires that inspections and any required rectifications be completed within 50 flight hours or one month from the date of the directive, whichever occurs first, and prior to further flight. This AD aims to rectify the unsafe condition identified in previous service bulletins and alert service bulletins, ensuring the continued airworthiness of the affected helicopters.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive AD/DAUPHIN/64 Amdt 1 applies specifically to Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series helicopters, namely versions N, N1, N2, and N3, that have undergone the post-modification 0753B31 "Reinforced Latch Support at the 9° Frame." This directive mandates the inspection and rectification of air vent hoses and their attachment screws to mitigate safety risks, particularly those associated with fuel leaks due to interference with the latch support of the right-hand front door. The directive is issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 and applies nationally across the Commonwealth of Australia. Operators of the affected aircraft must comply with the directive by inspecting and rectifying any defects within 50 flight hours or one month from the directive's effective date, whichever comes first, and prior to further flight. The directive was initially issued on 17 April 2003 and amended on 23 December 2004, with the amendment becoming effective on the same date of notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/DAUPHIN/64 Amendment 1, issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, pertains specifically to Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters that have undergone post-modification 0753B31 "Reinforced Latch Support at the 9° Frame" (section 1). The directive mandates inspections and corrective actions for air vent hoses and their attachment screws to ensure compliance with safety standards and mitigate the risk of fuel leaks (section 2). The AD is applicable to the specified versions of the Dauphin helicopter (N, N1, N2, and N3) that have received the aforementioned modification (section 3). The requirement section outlines the necessary steps, including inspecting the condition of the air vent hoses and the latch support attachment screws (section 4), and performing any necessary rectifications as per Eurocopter ASB No. 28.00.31 (section 5). Compliance with this directive must occur within 50 flight hours or one month from the effective date of the directive, whichever is sooner, and before further flight (section 6). Operators of the affected Dauphin helicopters must ensure that the specified inspections and rectifications are carried out in accordance with the instructions provided. This involves a thorough examination of the air vent hoses and their attachment screws to confirm their condition and length as per Eurocopter ASB No. 28.00.31. Any identified defects must be corrected following the guidelines set forth in the same bulletin. The directive further references DGAC Airworthiness Directive F-2003-028 R1, which was approved by the European Aviation Safety Agency, and which provides additional context and support for the measures outlined (section 7). The directive became effective on 23 December 2004, marking the beginning of the period during which compliance is mandatory. Failure to comply with the AD AD/DAUPHIN/64 Amendment 1 can result in significant consequences. Non-compliance with airworthiness directives is a serious matter under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. The potential penalties for not adhering to the directive can include fines and legal action. The exact penalties can vary, but they may involve substantial financial penalties and other enforcement actions that could affect the operational status of the aircraft. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement actions against non-compliant operators, which could range from administrative penalties to grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. These measures are in place to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft and to prevent any potential hazards that could arise from non-compliance.