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/73 Main Rotor Drive Gear Box Oil Pressure 11/2004
Applicability: AS 365 N3 helicopters, equipped with a main gearbox (MGB) part number (P/N) 365A32-6002-XX or P/N 365A32-6004-XX or P/N 365A32-9001-XX, fitted with a
dual pump MGB lubrication system.
Requirement: If not previously accomplished, check the electrical connections of the MGB oil pressure switches in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of the Eurocopter Alert Telex
63.00.12 dated 4 August 2004 or later approved version.
Note: DGAC AD F-2004-154 (EASA Approval 2004-9029) refers.
Compliance: Within the next 110 hours time in service after the effective date of this Directive or before 28 January 2005 (whichever occurs first).
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 28 October 2004.
Background: The Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile of France has received a report of crossed connection of the low-pressure switch of the MGB main lubrication system with the low-pressure switch of the MGB auxiliary lubrication system. This condition if not corrected, will lead to illumination of the failure warning light that corresponds to the auxiliary system. If this occurs, the pilot would not follow the appropriate Aircraft Flight Manual procedures in the event of a failure of the main system.
This Directive requires the electrical connections of the MGB oil pressure switches to be checked for cross wiring.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 14 September 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 6 October 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the need for ensuring the safety of civil aviation through the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, the 1998 Regulations aim to mitigate risks associated with civil aviation operations, ensuring that aircraft and aeronautical products meet necessary safety standards. The AD for Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters, issued in 2004, is an example of how these regulations respond to identified safety concerns by mandating specific corrective actions. This particular AD was introduced following reports of potential cross-wiring issues in the main rotor drive gearbox oil pressure switches, which could lead to erroneous warning indications and, consequently, inappropriate pilot responses. The policy objective is to maintain and enhance aviation safety by promptly addressing any identified hazards.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to AS 365 N3 helicopters equipped with a main gearbox (MGB) that has a part number of 365A32-6002-XX, 365A32-6004-XX, or 365A32-9001-XX, and which are fitted with a dual pump MGB lubrication system. This regulatory action is taken to address a safety concern identified by the Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile of France, where there was a risk of cross-connection between the low-pressure switches of the main and auxiliary lubrication systems, which could lead to an improper warning to the pilot in the event of a failure. The requirement is that the electrical connections of the MGB oil pressure switches be checked according to specified instructions, within 110 hours of the AD’s effective date or before a specified deadline. This directive, issued by the delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, is intended to ensure compliance with safety standards and is published within the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) mandates specific actions to address identified safety issues. In this particular AD/DAUPHIN/73, it is required that the electrical connections of the main rotor drive gearbox (MGB) oil pressure switches on AS 365 N3 helicopters, equipped with specific MGB part numbers and a dual pump MGB lubrication system, be checked (section 1). This directive applies to helicopters with the specified MGB part numbers and systems (section 2). The requirement is that if not previously completed, the electrical connections must be inspected in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in paragraph 2.B of the Eurocopter Alert Telex 63.00.12 dated 4 August 2004, or a later approved version (section 3). The directive mandates that this inspection must be carried out within 110 hours of time in service after the directive’s effective date, or before 28 January 2005, whichever comes first (section 4).
The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators of AS 365 N3 helicopters with the mentioned MGB part numbers and systems. These operators are required to ensure that the electrical connections of the MGB oil pressure switches are checked as per the detailed instructions. This is to prevent any cross-wiring that could lead to the failure warning light for the auxiliary system being illuminated, potentially causing the pilot to not follow the correct procedures in the event of a main system failure. The directive is clear that this inspection must be completed within the specified timeframe to maintain airworthiness and ensure safety (section 5).
Breach of the AD/DAUPHIN/73 requirements could result in serious safety implications, as the unchecked electrical connections might lead to a failure in the MGB oil pressure system, potentially causing the helicopter to be operated unsafely. While the regulations do not explicitly state specific penalties for non-compliance with ADs, non-compliance with CASA regulations generally can lead to enforcement actions, including fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory sanctions. The seriousness of the potential safety issues addressed by this AD underscores the importance of strict compliance (section 6).