COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters
AD/ECUREUIL/11
Amdt 2
Main Gear Box - Spectrometric Analysis of Lubricating Oil
10/88
Applicability: All model AS 350 helicopters fitted with bevel reduction gear modules P/N 350 A32- 0300-00 or 01.
Note: Reduction gear module P/N 350A32-0300-02 with vertical shaft modified to AMS 07-7027 or modules P/N 350 A32-0300-00 or 01 modified to either AMS 07- 7042 or AMS 07-7027 are exempt from the requirement of this Directive.
Requirement: Action in accordance with SB No 05.06 Revision 2. Compliance: As detailed in the requirement document.
Background: This AD supersedes AD/ECUREUIL/9, which is CANCELLED. The manufacturer considers that the wear check to the bevel gear module shaft splines called up in Telex Service 05-05 (AD/ECUREUIL/9) was inaccurate, and has introduced a spectrometric monitoring programme for the main gearbox oil. The manufacturer has further advised that modified bevel gear reduction modules do not require inspection. Amendment 2 to this Directive details those modules.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Among its various provisions, Part 39 focuses on the safety directives related to aircraft maintenance and airworthiness. Specifically, AD/ECUREUIL/11 Amendment 2 addresses the maintenance and safety concerns of the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series helicopters. This legislation was introduced to address the inaccuracy of the previous wear check protocol for the bevel gear module shaft splines and to implement a more reliable spectrometric monitoring programme for the main gearbox oil. The policy objective is to enhance the safety and reliability of these helicopters by ensuring that the lubricating oil in the main gearbox is regularly and accurately monitored. The amendment cancels the previous directive AD/ECUREUIL/9 and specifies which bevel gear reduction modules are exempt from the requirement, thereby refining the safety measures and ensuring compliance with the updated safety standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the airworthiness directives concerning aircraft, including the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters, through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. This legislation mandates specific actions for compliance with airworthiness standards, particularly relating to the maintenance and operation of Eurocopter AS 350 helicopters equipped with certain bevel reduction gear modules. The scope of this directive applies to all model AS 350 helicopters fitted with bevel reduction gear modules P/N 350 A32- 0300-00 or 01, ensuring that they adhere to the specified maintenance requirements to ensure continued airworthiness. Notably, this directive excludes helicopters with reduction gear modules P/N 350A32-0300-02 that have been modified to AMS 07-7027 or those P/N 350 A32-0300-00 or 01 modified to either AMS 07-7042 or AMS 07-7027, as these modified components do not require the same level of inspection. Compliance with this directive is achieved by following the actions outlined in Service Bulletin No 05.06 Revision 2, as specified in the requirement document. This amendment updates previous directives, superseding AD/ECUREUIL/9, to provide more accurate monitoring through spectrometric analysis of the lubricating oil, thereby enhancing the safety and reliability of the affected aircraft.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, details the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) schedule of airworthiness directives, including the directive for Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) series helicopters, AD/ECUREUIL/11 Amendment 2 (AD/ECUREUIL/11 Amdt 2). This directive pertains to the main gearbox of these helicopters, focusing on the spectrometric analysis of lubricating oil (s. 10/88). The directive applies to all model AS 350 helicopters equipped with specific bevel reduction gear modules (s. Applicability). However, it exempts certain modified reduction gear modules from the directive's requirements (s. Note).
Operators and owners of AS 350 helicopters must ensure compliance with AD/ECUREUIL/11 Amdt 2, which entails conducting spectrometric analysis of the main gearbox oil as specified in Service Bulletin No. 05.06 Revision 2 (s. Requirement). The directive mandates that these checks be performed in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in the requirement document (s. Compliance). Operators must ensure that these inspections are carried out to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft, with adherence to the specific guidance given by the manufacturer.
Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in AD/ECUREUIL/11 Amdt 2 can result in significant consequences. Operators who do not adhere to the directive risk compromising the safety of their aircraft, potentially leading to operational restrictions or grounding of the helicopter until compliance is achieved. While specific penalties are not detailed within the directive itself, non-compliance with CASA regulations generally can lead to enforcement actions, which may include fines, enforcement notices, and potential legal proceedings under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. The seriousness of the non-compliance and the potential impact on safety will influence the severity of any penalties imposed.