COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation 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 revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/EC-120/2 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 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 EC 120 Series Helicopters
AD/EC-120/2
Amdt 2
Engine to Main Gearbox (MGB) Coupling Tube Assembly
5/2002
Applicability: All Eurocopter EC 120B helicopters equipped with engine to MGB coupling tube assembly P/N C631A1002101.
Requirement: Remove engine to MGB coupling tube assembly, P/N. C631A1002101 and associated engine support assembly components from service, in accordance with Eurocopter Service Bulletin EC 120.
Note: DGAC AD 2000-058-003(A) R1 refers.
Compliance: Effective 16 May 2002; engine to MGB coupling tube assembly, P/N. C631A1002101 and associated engine support assembly components may not be installed in an aircraft from when this amendment becomes effective.
This Amendment becomes effective on 16 May 2002.
Background: This Directive was issued to address reports of cracks occurring in the engine to MGB coupling tube assembly that could result in failure of the tube occasioning an autorotation landing. This amendment reflects the DGAC declaring coupling tube P/N C631A1002101 and associated engine support fittings to be non-airworthy.
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 23 March 2000.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 17 September 1999.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 7 April 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 April 2002.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the Civil Aviation (Airworthiness Directives) Notice 2002, addresses safety concerns related to the engine to Main Gearbox (MGB) coupling tube assembly in Eurocopter EC 120 Series helicopters. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of air operations by mandating specific actions to rectify identified unsafe conditions. The policy objective of this Airworthiness Directive is to prevent potential failure of the coupling tube assembly, which could lead to severe consequences including an autorotation landing, thereby enhancing overall aviation safety.
This Airworthiness Directive specifically targets all Eurocopter EC 120B helicopters equipped with engine to MGB coupling tube assembly P/N C631A1002101. The directive mandates the removal of this component from service in accordance with Eurocopter Service Bulletin EC 120 and reflects the decision of the French Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC) declaring the coupling tube and associated engine support fittings to be non-airworthy. This legislative action was taken in response to reports of cracks occurring in the coupling tube assembly, highlighting the necessity for immediate corrective measures to maintain the safety standards within the aviation industry.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39, includes Airworthiness Directives (AD) which are binding legal instruments issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products. These directives apply to specific aircraft types and components, as detailed in the individual ADs. For example, the Airworthiness Directive AD/EC-120/2 Amdt 2 pertains to all Eurocopter EC 120B helicopters equipped with a particular engine to Main Gearbox (MGB) coupling tube assembly, P/N C631A1002101. This AD was issued to address safety concerns related to cracks in the specified coupling tube assembly, which could lead to failure and necessitate an autorotation landing. The directive applies nationally within Australia and is enforceable under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The directive outlines the requirement to remove the specified coupling tube assembly and associated engine support assembly components from service, in compliance with the instructions provided in Eurocopter Service Bulletin EC 120, and is effective from 16 May 2002. This directive does not exempt any operators or aircraft from its requirements, ensuring a uniform standard of airworthiness across the industry.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, outlines the requirements for the Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under this regulation mandates corrective actions to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products. In this instance, AD/EC-120/2 Amendment 2 pertains to Eurocopter EC 120 Series Helicopters, specifically requiring the removal of the engine to Main Gearbox (MGB) Coupling Tube Assembly, P/N C631A1002101, from service due to safety concerns (section 39.1(1)).
The AD applies to all Eurocopter EC 120B helicopters equipped with the specified coupling tube assembly (applicability section). The requirement is to remove the engine to MGB coupling tube assembly and associated engine support assembly components from service, following the instructions outlined in Eurocopter Service Bulletin EC 120. The compliance section specifies that the action must be taken by 16 May 2002, after which the components may not be installed in an aircraft. This directive was issued in response to reports of cracks in the coupling tube assembly that could lead to failure and necessitate an autorotation landing, as confirmed by the DGAC's declaration of the component as non-airworthy.
The obligations imposed by this AD require operators and owners of Eurocopter EC 120B helicopters to ensure that the specified engine to MGB coupling tube assembly and associated components are removed from service promptly. This involves adhering to the detailed instructions in Eurocopter Service Bulletin EC 120 and ensuring that the components are not used in any aircraft after the specified compliance date. Failure to comply with these directives can result in severe safety risks and potential legal consequences.
Breach of the requirements set forth in this Airworthiness Directive can result in both civil and criminal penalties. While the specific penalties are not detailed within the text, non-compliance with such directives generally leads to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. These actions may include fines, suspension of airworthiness certificates, or other regulatory sanctions. Additionally, operators found in breach of the AD could face significant financial penalties and may be subject to criminal prosecution if the non-compliance results in an aviation accident or incident.