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/104 Hydraulic Fluid in Cold Weather 10/2004
Applicability: AS 350 helicopter versions B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3 and D, that operate in a flight envelope where the outside air temperature (OAT) is below -15 C (+5 F).
Requirement: Insert the following into the aircraft flight manual: “Do not operate the helicopter in an environment where the OAT is below -15 C (+5 F) unless the hydraulic system fluid has been replaced in the previous 110 flight hours or 1 calendar month, whichever occurs first”.
This may be accomplished by placing a copy of this Directive in the aircraft flight manual at Section 2 Limitations, or in Supplement 4 Instructions for operation in cold weather.
Note 1: DGAC AD F-2004-055 refers. (EASA reference no. 2004-4046 of April 20 2004).
Note 2: Where operation in an environment where the OAT is below -15 C (+5 F) is anticipated, the due date for the next hydraulic oil change could be entered in the Maintenance Release as maintenance required.
Compliance: Within 14 days of the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 September 2004.
Background: Ice has formed in some parts of the flight control system where the hydraulic system was highly contaminated with water, causing malfunction in helicopters operating at below -15 C (+5 F). This Directive requires the flight crew to be aware of the maintenance requirement before commencing cold weather operations.
Gary J Carr
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 20 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 (CASR) were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia, providing a framework for the regulation of air safety. One of the key components of these regulations is Part 39, which includes Airworthiness Directives (ADs) designed to address specific safety issues in aircraft and aeronautical products. These directives are issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the CASR. The purpose of ADs is to mandate corrective actions to mitigate unsafe conditions identified in specific aircraft models, ensuring continued airworthiness and safety standards are met. The policy objective of these regulations is to protect public safety by enforcing rigorous safety standards and corrective measures where necessary. The AD/ECUREUIL/104, specifically addressing the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters in cold weather operations, exemplifies this approach by requiring specific maintenance actions to prevent hydraulic fluid issues in low temperatures.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 pertains specifically to Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters, including versions B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, and D, which are operated in conditions where the outside air temperature (OAT) falls below -15 C (+5 F). This AD aims to address safety concerns associated with ice formation in the flight control system when the hydraulic system is highly contaminated with water, which has led to malfunctions in helicopters operating in cold weather. The directive mandates that the specified versions of the AS 350 helicopter must not be operated in environments with OAT below -15 C (+5 F) unless the hydraulic system fluid has been replaced within the previous 110 flight hours or one calendar month, whichever comes first. This requirement is to be noted in the aircraft flight manual. The directive is effective from 30 September 2004, and compliance must be achieved within 14 days of its publication in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 8 September 2004. The AD extends its jurisdictional reach nationally, impacting all operators of the specified aircraft models within the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, detail the Airworthiness Directives (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1). The key provisions of this legislation concern the safety requirements for certain aircraft models. For example, AD/ECUREUIL/104, issued on 10/2004, pertains to Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. This directive applies to AS 350 helicopter versions B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, and D that operate in environments with an outside air temperature (OAT) below -15°C (+5°F) (section 1). The requirement is that these helicopters must have specific information added to their aircraft flight manual, prohibiting operation in such cold temperatures unless the hydraulic system fluid has been changed within the previous 110 flight hours or one calendar month, whichever comes first (section 2).
The obligations imposed by this AD include updating the aircraft flight manual with the specified directive. This update may be achieved by placing a copy of the directive in Section 2 Limitations or in Supplement 4 Instructions for operation in cold weather. Furthermore, operators are advised to note the due date for the next hydraulic oil change in the Maintenance Release as maintenance required when operating in cold weather (section 2, Note 2). Compliance with this directive must be achieved within 14 days of the effective date, which is 30 September 2004 (section 3).
Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive can lead to significant consequences. The AD emphasises the necessity of adhering to these safety measures to prevent hydraulic system malfunctions caused by ice formation in the flight control system, especially in cold weather conditions. While specific penalties are not detailed within this particular directive, non-compliance with ADs generally can result in severe civil or criminal penalties. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft operating certificates, and potential criminal charges for operators who knowingly allow non-compliant operations. The seriousness of these consequences underscores the importance of strict adherence to the provisions set forth in the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations.