Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, form a crucial part of Australia's aviation safety regulatory framework, overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Enacted by the Australian Parliament, these regulations are designed to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. They provide a comprehensive set of rules governing the certification, operation, and maintenance of aircraft, amongst other things, to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the aviation system. This specific legislative instrument, F2006B09317, addresses a safety concern identified with the Eurocopter EC 135 Series helicopters, specifically regarding the alignment and structural integrity of the tail boom bearing supports. The problem it was introduced to address was the discovery of bearing supports that were out of alignment and/or not perpendicular to the drive shaft axis, as well as susceptibility to corrosion and cracking. The policy objective is to enhance the safety of these helicopters by mandating specific inspections and corrective actions to mitigate the identified risks.

Scope and Application

This Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to all Eurocopter EC 135 series helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 0001 to 0074. The directive mandates that initial and repeat inspections of the tail boom bearing supports must be conducted in accordance with Eurocopter Deutschland Alert Service Bulletin EC 135-53A-004. The purpose of this AD is to address safety concerns identified in the bearing supports, such as misalignment and susceptibility to corrosion and cracking. The directive requires the replacement of affected bearing supports before 29 February 2000 unless it has already been completed, with subsequent inspections to be carried out as per the specified requirements. The AD was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 27 January 2000, and it became effective on 24 February 2000. This AD is applicable nationwide and extends to all relevant helicopters within the specified serial number range, ensuring compliance with the safety standards set forth by CASA.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, details the Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislation mandates that certain actions be taken to ensure the safety of aeronautical products, particularly the Eurocopter EC 135 Series helicopters. The Airworthiness Directive AD/EC 135/3 applies to all Model EC 135 helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 0001 through 0074. The directive requires initial and repeat inspections of the tail boom supports as specified in Eurocopter Deutschland Alert Service Bulletin EC 135-53A-004. The obligations under this directive include conducting these inspections to identify and correct any unsafe conditions related to the tail boom bearing supports. Specifically, the directive mandates that the replacement of these supports must be completed before 29 February 2000. The inspections and necessary actions must adhere to the instructions outlined in the requirement section of the directive. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, and failure to adhere to the specified timeline and inspection protocols can result in significant safety risks. The consequences for non-compliance with the Airworthiness Directive are severe. If an operator fails to comply with the requirements set out in AD/EC 135/3, it can result in penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The maximum penalties for such breaches can include substantial fines and potential imprisonment for directors or responsible persons. These legal repercussions underscore the importance of strict adherence to the directive to maintain airworthiness and ensure the safety of all flight operations involving the affected helicopters.