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 issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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 135/4 Air Conditioning System 10/2000 TX
Applicability: All Model EC135 helicopters, Serial Number (S/N) 0005 up to an including S/N 0169, equipped with air conditioning systems, excluding S/N 0030, 0076, 0093, 0098,
0102, 0104, 0106, 0108, 0110, 0111, 0113, 0114, 0116, 0117, 0119, 0121, 0145,
0146, 0148, 0150, 0152 and 0155.
Requirement: Either:
- Install an insulating mat in the area of the spring resistor located in the airconditioning system pallet (compressor/condenser unit) in accordance with Eurocopter Deutschland Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) EC135-21A-002 Revision 1 date 2 August 2000.
Or
b. Deactivate the airconditioning system and install a placard on the instrument panel in accordance with ASB EC135-21A-002 Revision 1.
The placard may be removed and the airconditioning system reactivated when an insulating mat is fitted to the pallet.
Note: LBA AD 2000-270 refers.
Compliance: Within 25 hours time in service from the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 August 2000.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Background: Eurocopter Deutschland received a report of the spring resistor located in the airconditioning system pallet (compressor/condenser unit) breaking and touching the floor of the pallet causing a short circuit. This Directive requires either an insulation mat to be installed or the airconditioning system to be deactivated, these measures are designed to prevent an electrical short circuit from occurring thus decreasing the likelihood of a fire in the engine compartment.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 9 August 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 August 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted to provide comprehensive regulations for civil aviation in Australia, ensuring safety and efficiency in the sector. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issues Airworthiness Directives (ADs) under these regulations to address safety concerns and maintain airworthiness standards. For instance, AD/EC 135/4 was issued to address the risk of electrical short circuits in the air conditioning system of Eurocopter EC 135 Series Helicopters. This directive required specific actions, such as installing an insulating mat or deactivating the air conditioning system and installing a placard, to mitigate the risk of fire in the engine compartment. The directive was designed to ensure that all applicable helicopters comply with these safety measures within a specified timeframe, highlighting CASA's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) under Part 39, specifically 105, pertains to Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for Eurocopter EC 135 Series Helicopters. This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to all Model EC135 helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 0005 to 0169 equipped with air conditioning systems, excluding certain serial numbers listed in the directive. The directive mandates specific actions to address an unsafe condition identified in the air conditioning system, such as the risk of a short circuit and potential fire in the engine compartment due to a broken spring resistor. The required actions include either installing an insulating mat or deactivating the air conditioning system and installing a placard on the instrument panel, as detailed in Eurocopter Deutschland Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) EC135-21A-002 Revision 1. Compliance with this AD is mandatory within 25 hours of the directive's effective date, which is 11 August 2000. The directive is applicable nationally within Australia, and its enforcement is overseen by CASA, with the authority to issue subordinate instruments as necessary.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/EC 135/4 issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) applies to all Eurocopter EC 135 series helicopters with serial numbers ranging from 0005 to 0169, which are equipped with air conditioning systems. Certain serial numbers, including 0030, 0076, and others, are excluded from this directive. The directive specifies two actions to address an identified unsafe condition: either the installation of an insulating mat in the area of the spring resistor in the air conditioning system pallet as per Eurocopter Deutschland Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) EC135-21A-002 Revision 1 dated 2 August 2000, or deactivation of the air conditioning system and installation of a placard on the instrument panel in accordance with the same bulletin. The placard can be removed and the air conditioning system reactivated once an insulating mat is installed. The directive references LBA AD 2000-270 for additional context.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the owners and operators of the affected helicopters. They must ensure that either the insulating mat is installed or the air conditioning system is deactivated and placarded within 25 hours of time in service from the effective date of this Directive, which is 11 August 2000. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to operational restrictions or grounding until compliance is achieved. Additionally, operators must follow the instructions provided in the Alert Service Bulletin to ensure the correct installation of the insulating mat or the proper deactivation and placarding of the air conditioning system.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive may result in civil or criminal consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can be considered an offence, potentially leading to fines or imprisonment. Specifically, the maximum penalty for contravening this directive could include substantial fines, reflecting the serious nature of the safety concerns addressed by the directive. Additionally, operators may face civil penalties for operating an aircraft that does not meet the required airworthiness standards, which could include significant financial penalties and the potential for legal action to enforce compliance.