COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Eurocopter EC 135 Series Helicopters
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/EC 135/1 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.
AD/EC 135/1
Amdt 1
Main Rotor Hub-Shaft 13/2001
Applicability: All Model EC 135 helicopters equipped with main rotor hub-shaft assembly listed in the Requirement document.
Requirement: Inspect in accordance with Eurocopter Deutschland Alert Service Bulletin EC 135- 62A-004 Revision 3.
Note: LBA AD 1999-185/4 refers.
Compliance: Before further flight after 24 December 1999 for the initial visual inspection, unless already accomplished. Thereafter as specified in the Requirement document.
The compliance times remain unchanged for this issue. This amendment becomes effective on 27 December 2001.
Background: Following a recent test run, cracks were detected in the main rotor hub-shaft of an affected helicopter. Initial and repeat inspections are introduced that are intended to prevent fracture of the main rotor hub-shaft, which could result in loss of control of the helicopter.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the related LBA AD which introduces the latest revision of the Requirement document. This revision corrects the dimension defining the inspection area and limits the components affected.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 24 December 1999.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 8 November 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 5 December 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for civil aviation in Australia, ensuring the safety and efficiency of air operations. In addressing specific safety concerns related to aircraft, the Regulations include provisions for Airworthiness Directives, which are issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to mandate corrective actions when potential safety issues are identified. One such Airworthiness Directive, AD/EC 135/1, pertains to the Eurocopter EC 135 Series helicopters and was initially introduced to address detected cracks in the main rotor hub-shaft, a critical component that, if compromised, could lead to catastrophic failure and loss of control. The policy objective of these directives is to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety by ensuring that all aircraft meet necessary safety criteria through timely and effective corrective measures.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/EC 135/1 applies specifically to all Model EC 135 helicopters equipped with the main rotor hub-shaft assembly specified in the requirement document. This legislation is a part of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, and its focus is on ensuring the safety of civil aviation by addressing potential unsafe conditions in certain aircraft. The AD mandates an inspection of the main rotor hub-shaft in accordance with Eurocopter Deutschland Alert Service Bulletin EC 135-62A-004 Revision 3, as a corrective measure to prevent the fracture of the hub-shaft which could lead to loss of control. Compliance with this directive is mandatory for all affected helicopters, with specific timelines for the initial visual inspection and subsequent inspections as outlined in the requirement document. This AD is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies nationally across the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive’s aim is to ensure that all relevant aircraft meet the safety standards set by CASA, thereby safeguarding the integrity and safety of civil aviation operations within the country.
Key Provisions
The main sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR) relevant to this Airworthiness Directive (AD) are sections 39.1 and 39.105. Section 39.1 allows the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue ADs to address safety concerns, while section 39.105 provides details on the applicability, requirements, and compliance times for the ADs (39.105(1)). The AD for the Eurocopter EC 135 Series Helicopters specifically applies to all Model EC 135 helicopters equipped with the main rotor hub-shaft assembly mentioned in the requirement document (39.105(2)(a)). The requirement is that these helicopters must undergo an inspection in accordance with Eurocopter Deutschland Alert Service Bulletin EC 135-62A-004 Revision 3 (39.105(2)(b)). The compliance period mandates that the initial inspection must be conducted before further flight after 24 December 1999, unless it has already been performed, and subsequent inspections must be carried out as specified in the requirement document (39.105(2)(c)).
Operators of Model EC 135 helicopters subject to this AD must ensure that the required inspections are conducted by qualified personnel in accordance with the specified procedures outlined in the Eurocopter Deutschland Alert Service Bulletin EC 135-62A-004 Revision 3. This involves a thorough examination of the main rotor hub-shaft assembly to detect any cracks or other defects that could compromise the safety of the aircraft. Operators are also required to maintain records of all inspections performed and any corrective actions taken, ensuring that the aircraft remains airworthy and compliant with the AD.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy. This could lead to enforcement actions by CASA, including the suspension or revocation of the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness, which would prevent the aircraft from operating. Additionally, operators who fail to adhere to the AD may face civil penalties under section 48 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which can include fines of up to $22,200 for individuals and $111,000 for corporations. Furthermore, the failure to comply with the AD could also result in criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to a safety incident, with potential penalties including imprisonment for up to two years for individuals and fines of up to $1,110,000 for corporations.