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/34 Main Rotor Head, Main Gearbox
and Landing Gear
Applicability: All model AS 350 Helicopters. Requirement: Inspect the following:
- Main Rotor Head in accordance with MET work card 62-20-00-601.
10/86
DM
2. MGB suspension (without removing MGB), check condition of the laminated bearings, MGB struts, in accordance with MET work cards 63-00-00-602 Chapt.
2.2 and 63-00-00-606, paying particular attention to cylindrical section of the struts and the strut bearings for retention.
In addition, check for wrinkling, blistering, nicks (maximum allowable depth of defects 0.2mm). The total area of these defects, within a separation of 150mm, shall be a maximum of 1 square centimetre. Scoring or corrosion may be reworked using 400 grit abrasive paper to a maximum depth of 0.1mm and a maximum length of 40mm.
3. Skid type landing gear in accordance with MET work card 32-13-00-601.
In addition, check the deflection of rear spring blade P/N 350A41-1076-20 measured between the upper face of the blade end and a ruler placed on the upper part of the skid must not be less than 85mm. Ensure bars are correctly secured and there is no evidence of movement.
4. Hydraulic shock absorbers in accordance with MET work card 32-13-00-401 Chapt. 3.
In addition disconnect the RH and LH shock absorbers at the clamp secured to the front cross tube, functionally check by sliding the shock absorber from one stop to the other by hand. If there is any jerk in the action fill the shock absorber body, in accordance with MRR work card 32-10-11-701 Chapt. 8, with fluid. If actuation of shock absorber is not possible replace shock absorber. During reassembly ensure the 234mm dimension on fig. 4 of work card 32-13-00-401 is complied with.
Identify the location of each clamp by a paint mark on the cross tube.
Compliance: 1 to 4 (a) Within 50 hours time in service after 17 September 1986 or before the 30 September 1986 whichever occurs first and thereafter at any occurrence of self sustained dynamic excitation of the helicopter on the ground; and
b) At each periodic (T) inspection.
Background: After further investigation the manufacturer believes the problem is associated with divergent dynamic excitation which occurred at touch down and made possible by the combined deterioration of several dynamic and structural components which resulted in a frequency coupling between the rotor and the landing gear. This Directive supersedes TELEX AD/ECUREUIL/33.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Overview
The Commonwealth of Australia introduced the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39, to ensure the safety and airworthiness of aircraft operating within Australian airspace. One of the specific directives under this regulation is AD/ECUREUIL/34, which targets the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. This directive was enacted to address safety concerns related to divergent dynamic excitation during helicopter touch downs, which was believed to stem from the deterioration of certain dynamic and structural components. The directive, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aims to mitigate these risks by mandating thorough inspections and maintenance procedures for critical components such as the main rotor head, main gearbox, landing gear, and hydraulic shock absorbers.
The AD/ECUREUIL/34 directive requires that inspections and maintenance be performed within specific timeframes and conditions, such as within 50 hours of service or before a particular date, and at each periodic inspection. The detailed inspection protocols provided in the directive ensure that any potential defects or deteriorations are identified and addressed promptly, thereby enhancing the overall safety and reliability of the Eurocopter AS 350 helicopters operating in Australia. This legislative measure underscores the commitment of the Australian government and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to maintaining the highest safety standards in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, addresses the airworthiness directives pertinent to the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) series helicopters, which apply to all models of this helicopter. The directive mandates rigorous inspection and maintenance procedures to ensure safety, particularly focusing on the main rotor head, main gearbox, landing gear, and hydraulic shock absorbers. The geographic and jurisdictional reach of this legislation extends across the Commonwealth of Australia, under the purview of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The regulations are applicable to all AS 350 helicopters, necessitating inspections and compliance as per the outlined work cards and procedures. Compliance with these directives is required within a specific timeframe after the issuance of the directive and during each periodic inspection, underscoring the importance of maintaining the airworthiness of these helicopters. The directive also supersedes previous airworthiness directives, ensuring that the most current safety measures are in place.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39, specifically in Section 105, provide detailed directives regarding the airworthiness of certain aircraft, in this instance, the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. This regulation, known as AD/ECUREUIL/34, mandates specific inspections and maintenance procedures to ensure the continued safe operation of these helicopters (s.105). The directive applies to all model AS 350 helicopters and outlines stringent checks that need to be conducted on the main rotor head, main gearbox suspension, landing gear, and hydraulic shock absorbers.
Operators of AS 350 helicopters are required to adhere to specific inspection protocols. For the main rotor head, operators must follow the MET work card 62-20-00-601.10/86DM to ensure the rotor head is in safe operating condition. The main gearbox suspension must be inspected without removal, focusing on the laminated bearings, MGB struts, and paying particular attention to the cylindrical section of the struts and their bearings for any signs of retention issues, wrinkling, blistering, or nicks (s.105). Similarly, the landing gear must be inspected in accordance with MET work card 32-13-00-601, with specific attention to the rear spring blade deflection and securing of the bars. Hydraulic shock absorbers must also be inspected and functionally tested, and if any issues are detected, corrective actions must be taken as per the regulations (s.105).
Failure to comply with the airworthiness directives outlined in Section 105 of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can result in significant consequences. Non-compliance with these mandatory inspections and maintenance requirements can lead to penalties, including fines and potential criminal charges (s.105). The severity of the penalties depends on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but they are designed to ensure that all operators adhere to the strict safety standards set forth to prevent accidents and ensure the continued airworthiness of the AS 350 helicopters. These directives are critical to maintaining the safety and reliability of these aircraft, and operators must ensure strict adherence to avoid any legal repercussions.