COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety 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 CASR 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/71 Hoist Operator's Belt Snap Hook 8/2004
DM
Applicability: Model SA 365 C, C1, C2, and C3 helicopters, Model SA 365 N and N1 helicopters, and Model AS 365 N2 and N3 helicopters;
equipped with an operator’s belt (called “hoist operator’s belt”) part numbers 330A87-0730-00, 330A87-2371-00, 341A84-1120-00, 350A84-0047-00, 360A84-
0040-00, 360A84-0040-01, and 360A84-0040-02, fitted with a snap hook part number GA343-95, or,
equipped with an operator’s belt (called “hoist operator’s belt”) part number 3160S73-08-200-1, fitted with a snap hook part number 4100-80AT28.
Requirement: Action in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of Eurocopter Alert Telex No. 25.23 or 25.00.61, as applicable.
Note: DGAC AD F-2004-096 refers.
Compliance: Before each use of the “hoist operator’s belt”.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 June 2004.
Background: Untimely unlocking of the “hoist operator’s belt” was detected in operation. This unlocking caused no incident and no injury. As a precaution, and pending an upgrade to the belt design, this Directive requires certain actions before each use.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 June 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 30 June 2004.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) were enacted to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for ensuring the safety of civil aviation in Australia. This legislation was introduced to address the need for stringent safety standards in the aviation industry, particularly in response to identified safety risks and incidents. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is the enacting body responsible for developing and enforcing these regulations. The overarching policy objective is to ensure the highest standards of safety for all civil aviation activities within Australia. The regulations cover a wide range of safety aspects, including airworthiness, licensing, and operational standards, aimed at mitigating risks and ensuring the safety of passengers, crew, and the public.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) govern the safety of civil aviation in Australia, and the Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under Part 39 of these Regulations applies to specific Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters that are equipped with particular hoist operator's belts. The AD specifically targets Model SA 365 C, C1, C2, C3, N, N1, N2, and N3 helicopters, requiring corrective action to address the issue of untimely unlocking of the hoist operator’s belt. This safety directive mandates that the action outlined in the requirement section, which refers to Eurocopter Alert Telex No. 25.23 or 25.00.61, must be taken before each use of the affected hoist operator’s belts. The AD becomes effective on 30 June 2004 and applies nationally, reinforcing safety measures within the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, Part 39, Section 105 outlines an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters. Specifically, this AD pertains to the hoist operator’s belt, which must be checked before each use. The directive is applicable to the SA 365 C, C1, C2, C3, N, N1, AS 365 N2, and N3 helicopter models that are equipped with specified hoist operator’s belts and snap hooks. The action required is in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Telex No. 25.23 or 25.00.61, as applicable, which outlines specific instructions for ensuring the belt is properly secured before each flight.
This AD imposes several obligations on the operators and owners of the affected helicopters. Firstly, they must ensure that the hoist operator’s belt is checked before each use to prevent untimely unlocking, which could lead to safety issues. Secondly, operators must adhere to the instructions provided in Eurocopter Alert Telex No. 25.23 or 25.00.61. Compliance with these requirements must be demonstrated before each flight. Failure to comply with this AD could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which would prevent it from being operated until the required actions are taken.
Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with ADs can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties may include fines, while criminal penalties can result in imprisonment. Specifically, for breaching an AD, an individual could face a fine of up to $126,000 and/or imprisonment for up to two years, and a corporation could face a fine of up to $630,000. These penalties underscore the importance of strict adherence to the requirements set out in this AD to ensure the safety of all personnel involved in helicopter operations.