AD/EC 135/2 - Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Bearing Attachment Flange

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39-105 which concerns the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, includes regulations governing the safety of aircraft in Australian airspace. The specific Airworthiness Directive AD/EC 135/2, issued in relation to the Eurocopter EC 135 series helicopters, was enacted to address an identified issue with the tail rotor drive shaft bearing attachment flange. This directive applies to all Model EC 135 helicopters with serial numbers between 0005 and 0120. The aim of this legislation is to mandate inspections in line with Eurocopter Deutschland Alert Service Bulletin EC 135-53A-010 Revision 2 to prevent potential fractures of the bearing attachment flange, which could result in serious malfunctions. Compliance with this directive is necessary before any further flight after the initial inspection date of 24 December 1999 and before the installation of an additional bearing support bracket, if not already performed. This measure was introduced following a report of a detected crack on the attachment flange, thereby ensuring the safety and airworthiness of the affected helicopters.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to all Model EC 135 helicopters within the serial number range of 0005 through 0120, establishing stringent requirements for the inspection of the tail rotor drive shaft bearing attachment flange. This legislation falls under the purview of the Commonwealth of Australia, with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority being the regulatory body responsible for enforcing compliance with these safety directives. The geographic reach of these regulations is national, ensuring uniform safety standards across all jurisdictions within Australia. The Airworthiness Directive AD/EC 135/2, which became effective on 24 December 1999, mandates that inspections be conducted in accordance with Eurocopter Deutschland Alert Service Bulletin EC 135-53A-010 Revision 2 to prevent potential fractures of the bearing attachment flange that could lead to serious malfunctions. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, with an initial inspection required before further flight after 24 December 1999, and subsequent inspections as specified in the requirement document. The directive references LBA AD 1999-199/3, indicating alignment with broader legislative frameworks. The regulations do not specify exclusions or exemptions, implying that all applicable helicopters must adhere to these safety mandates.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, outlines the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This includes detailed directives for maintaining the airworthiness of certain aircraft, such as the Eurocopter EC 135 series helicopters. One such directive, AD/EC 135/2 2/2000, addresses the tail rotor drive shaft bearing attachment flange (section 105.139). This directive applies to all Model EC 135 helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 0005 to 0120. It mandates that these helicopters undergo an inspection in accordance with Eurocopter Deutschland Alert Service Bulletin EC 135-53A-010 Revision 2. Additionally, the directive references LBA AD 1999-199/3, indicating previous related directives or safety measures. Compliance with this directive is required before further flight after 24 December 1999 for the initial inspection and before the installation of an additional bearing support bracket, unless these actions have already been taken. The obligations imposed by this Airworthiness Directive are clear and specific. Operators of the affected EC 135 helicopters must ensure that all inspections and required actions are performed as detailed in the directive. This includes conducting initial inspections before 24 December 1999 and any subsequent inspections or installations as specified in the requirement document. The directive is designed to prevent a fracture of the bearing attachment flange of the tail rotor drive shaft, which could lead to serious malfunction of the helicopter. The directive also mandates that any compliance actions be completed before further flights, ensuring that the safety measures are in place before the aircraft is used again. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with CASA directives can typically lead to enforcement actions, including fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's certificate of airworthiness, and potential legal proceedings. The severity of the penalties reflects the critical nature of maintaining airworthiness to ensure the safety of all persons on board and on the ground. Operators are expected to adhere to these directives rigorously to avoid any adverse outcomes.