COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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 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 AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters
AD/ECUREUIL/103 Camera System Installation - 2 10/2004
Applicability: Model AS 350 helicopters that have been modified in accordance with Mann Aviation Group (Engineering) Ltd (MAG(E)) modification 350-1521, 350-1680, or 350-1707; Installation of Camera Platform.
Requirement: 1. Inspect the camera platform hold down hook to determine the standard of hook installed, in accordance with paragraph 2 of MAG(E) Service Bulletin SB-A25- 002 Issue 1, dated 20 May 2004, or later EASA approved revision. If a part number 350-1521-109 hook is found to be installed, replace the -109 hook with a part number 350-1521-139 hook in accordance with SB-A25-002 Issue 1, or later EASA approved revision.
2. Modify the Mounting Arm in accordance with SB-A25-002 Issue 1, or later EASA approved revision.
Note: UK CAA AD G-2004-0019 refers.
Compliance: Within 3 months after 30 September 2004.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 September 2004.
Background: The manufacturer has received reports of failures of an old standard of the camera platform hold down hook. Failure of the hook could result in inadequate retention of the platform and camera, which could become a hazard to the helicopter.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 18 August 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 September 2004.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 were enacted by the Australian Government to ensure the safety of civil aviation operations within Australia. These regulations provide a comprehensive framework for maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products, addressing safety concerns and ensuring compliance with international standards. The Airworthiness Directive issued under Part 39 - 105 of these regulations targets specific safety issues, such as the one identified with the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. This particular directive was introduced to address the problem of potential failures in the camera platform hold down hook, which could lead to inadequate retention of the camera platform and camera, posing a hazard to the helicopter. The directive mandates specific actions to rectify the issue, including inspecting and replacing the hook if necessary, and modifying the mounting arm, with the aim of ensuring the safe operation of affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, encompasses the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (AD) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safe operation of aircraft and aeronautical products within Australia. This particular Airworthiness Directive, AD/ECUREUIL/103, applies to Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters that have undergone specific modifications by Mann Aviation Group (Engineering) Ltd (MAG(E)) as outlined in the AD. The directive mandates actions such as inspecting and replacing certain camera platform hold down hooks and modifying mounting arms to address safety concerns identified with older standards of these components. This AD is effective nationwide and must be adhered to by operators of the specified helicopters within the stipulated timeframe. The directive does not specify any exclusions but requires compliance within three months from the date of its issuance, which was on 30 September 2004. The AD is applicable to any Australian entity operating the affected models and is enforceable under the regulatory framework of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations.
Key Provisions
This Airworthiness Directive (AD), numbered AD/ECUREUIL/103 and dated 10/2004, pertains specifically to Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series helicopters that have undergone modifications in accordance with Mann Aviation Group (Engineering) Ltd (MAG(E)) modifications 350-1521, 350-1680, or 350-1707, or the installation of a camera platform. According to section 105 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, the AD mandates that certain actions be taken to rectify an identified unsafe condition. The requirement section of the AD specifies the necessary actions, including the inspection of the camera platform hold down hook, which must be conducted in accordance with MAG(E) Service Bulletin SB-A25-002 Issue 1 or any later EASA-approved revision. If the part number 350-1521-109 hook is installed, it must be replaced with a part number 350-1521-139 hook as per the same service bulletin. Additionally, the Mounting Arm must be modified according to SB-A25-002 Issue 1 or a later revision.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties involved. Operators of AS 350 helicopters that meet the applicability criteria must ensure that the required inspections and modifications are performed within the stipulated timeframe. This includes verifying that the correct part numbers are used during the replacement process and that modifications are executed in compliance with the specified service bulletins. Furthermore, the AD references the UK CAA AD G-2004-0019 for additional guidance, indicating that the directive is aligned with international safety standards.
Failure to comply with the AD can result in serious safety implications, as the directive addresses a potential hazard related to the retention of the camera platform and camera. While the AD itself does not explicitly outline penalties for non-compliance, it is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are completed. The seriousness of the identified unsafe condition underscores the importance of adhering to the AD to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft.