Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) DAUPHIN/75/1/2005 for the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters on 20 January 2005. This directive was enacted to address the issue of weight loss discovered in fire extinguishers of similar technology due to corrosion under the welded identification plates. The directive mandates specific actions to be taken to rectify the identified unsafe condition, ensuring compliance with the requirements and instructions outlined in the referenced EUROCOPTER Alert Service Bulletin and subsequent DGAC approved revisions. The AD was issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 and aims to enhance the safety of the affected aircraft by requiring weight checks and specific maintenance actions for the engine fire extinguishers. This AD applies to SA 365 N and N1 and AS 365 N2 and N3 helicopters equipped with engine fire extinguishers part number (PN) 862780-00 pre-MOD 0726B22. The directive requires the extinguishers to be weighed in accordance with specified instructions and mandates certain actions during the next proof test, as well as for spare extinguishers before installation. Compliance with the AD is required within specified timeframes to ensure the airworthiness of the helicopters. The policy objective behind this AD is to mitigate the risk of engine fires by ensuring the integrity and functionality of the fire extinguishers.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) pertains specifically to the Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters, particularly those equipped with engine fire extinguishers part number 862780-00 prior to modification 0726B22. This directive applies to all serial numbers of SA 365 N and N1 as well as AS 365 N2 and N3 helicopters. The AD mandates specific actions to address an unsafe condition identified in these fire extinguishers, which involves a loss of weight due to leaks caused by corrosion beneath the welded identification plates. The actions required include weighing the extinguishers in accordance with specified instructions and taking corrective measures during subsequent proof tests. The directive also outlines the timeframes within which these actions must be completed, with initial compliance required within 110 flying hours or two months from the effective date of the directive, and subsequent compliance every six months until the necessary modifications are made. The AD is effective from 20 January 2005, and its provisions are enforced across the Commonwealth of Australia, with notifications appearing in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 22 December 2004.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/DAUPHIN/75 issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 mandates specific actions to address an unsafe condition identified in certain Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) series helicopters. The AD applies to all SA 365 N and N1, and AS 365 N2 and N3 helicopters fitted with engine fire extinguishers part number (PN) 862780-00 prior to modification 0726B22. The requirement section outlines the necessary actions to be taken by helicopter operators and maintenance personnel. Operators must weigh the engine fire extinguishers in accordance with instructions specified in paragraph 2.B.2 of EUROCOPTER AS 365 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No.05.00.46 or later DGAC-approved revisions. During the next proof test, the actions outlined in paragraph 2.B.3 of the ASB must be performed, corresponding to modification 0726B22. For engine fire extinguishers held as spares, the same instructions must be followed. The AD imposes obligations on helicopter operators and maintenance personnel to ensure compliance with the specified requirements. Operators must weigh the engine fire extinguishers within 110 flying hours or 2 months from the effective date of the directive, whichever occurs first, and thereafter at intervals exceeding 6 months until the conditions set out in requirement 2 are met. Additionally, operators must adhere to the proof test intervals and ensure that any spare extinguishers are compliant before installation or during the next proof test within 5 years following manufacture or the last proof test. Non-compliance with the AD may result in civil or criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, as outlined in the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and associated regulations. The severity of the penalties may depend on the extent of non-compliance and the impact on aviation safety.