AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/EC 120/8 and issues the following 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 EC 120 Series Helicopters
AD/EC 120/8
Amdt 1
Rotor Flight Controls - Cyclic Pitch Control Sticks
7/2004
Applicability: Model EC 120 B helicopters with serial numbers below serial number 1323.
Requirement: 1. Secure the bonding braid temporarily, or install the bonding braid permanent attachment system, in accordance with the instructions given respectively in paragraphs 2.B.1 and 2.B.2 of Eurocopter EC 120 Alert Service Bulletin No. 67A008.
2. Unless the bonding braid permanent attachment system has already been installed in accordance with requirement 1 above, install the bonding braid permanent attachment system in accordance with the instructions given in paragraph 2.B.2 of Eurocopter EC 120 Alert Service Bulletin No. 67A008.
Note: DGAC AD F-2002- 371-010 R1 refers.
Compliance: 1. No later than 10 flying hours after 24 July 2002.
2. No later than 500 flying hours or 12 months after 24 July 2002, whichever occurs first.
The compliance times remain unchanged by this issue. This Amendment becomes effective on 8 July 2004.
Background: This Directive was issued following an incident involving the twisting of an electrical bonding braid at the base of the cyclic pitch stick, which restricted the movement of the cyclic pitch stick.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the related DGAC AD, which converts the previous Alert Telex Requirement document to an Alert Service Bulletin, with a change to applicability but no change to the technical content.
Eurocopter EC 120 Series Helicopters
AD/EC 120/8 Amdt 1 (continued)
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 24 July 2002.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 May 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 16 June 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/EC 120/8 Amdt 1 in 2004 to address an identified safety issue with Eurocopter EC 120 Series Helicopters. This AD was introduced in response to an incident where twisting of an electrical bonding braid at the base of the cyclic pitch stick of a helicopter restricted the movement of the stick, potentially compromising flight safety. The AD requires specific actions to secure the bonding braid temporarily or install a permanent attachment system in accordance with detailed instructions provided in the relevant service bulletin. The directive applies to Model EC 120 B helicopters with serial numbers below 1323 and mandates compliance within specified timeframes after its issuance. This legislative instrument aims to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft by mitigating the risk associated with the identified unsafe condition.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to Eurocopter EC 120 B series helicopters with serial numbers below 1323, mandating specific safety measures to be implemented concerning the rotor flight controls. The directive, issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, applies on a national level within Australia, enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The directive requires the installation of either a temporary bonding braid or a permanent attachment system to address the identified unsafe condition of the cyclic pitch control sticks. Compliance with this directive must be achieved within specified timeframes: no later than 10 flying hours or within 500 flying hours or 12 months from 24 July 2002, whichever comes first. This AD extends its reach to all relevant aircraft within the stated serial number range, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of these helicopters across the Australian jurisdiction.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive AD/EC 120/8 Amdt 1 pertains to the Eurocopter EC 120 Series Helicopters with specific serial numbers, applying to those below serial number 1323. The main requirement (Section 1) mandates that operators either temporarily secure the bonding braid or install a permanent attachment system for the bonding braid, following detailed instructions provided in Eurocopter EC 120 Alert Service Bulletin No. 67A008. The compliance timeline is set such that these actions must be completed within 10 flying hours from 24 July 2002, and no later than 500 flying hours or 12 months from the same date, whichever comes first (Section 3). This directive was issued in response to an incident involving the twisting of an electrical bonding braid at the base of the cyclic pitch stick, which restricted the movement of the cyclic pitch stick.
Operators of the specified helicopters must ensure that the bonding braid is either temporarily secured or permanently attached as instructed. These measures are critical to maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft and preventing potential malfunctions that could lead to safety hazards. The directive references DGAC AD F-2002-371-010 R1, aligning with international safety standards. Non-compliance with this directive could result in the aircraft being grounded until the required actions are taken, impacting operational readiness and potentially incurring additional costs for delayed maintenance.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive could result in serious safety risks, as the directive aims to rectify a condition that could lead to significant operational issues. The AD imposes clear obligations on the operators to ensure timely and appropriate action is taken on their aircraft to maintain compliance with safety standards. This includes following the specific instructions detailed in the referenced alert service bulletin and adhering to the stipulated compliance deadlines. The consequences of non-compliance could include the grounding of affected aircraft until the required modifications are made, leading to potential financial and operational repercussions for the operators.
The legislative instrument outlines potential penalties or consequences for non-compliance with the directive. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), including fines, legal action, and other regulatory measures. Operators are expected to be aware of and comply with the directive to avoid these potential repercussions, ensuring the safety and airworthiness of their aircraft.