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/35 Planet Gear Cage to Rotor Shaft Attachment Bolts
3/87
Applicability: All model AS 350 B, B1, D, D1, L1 fitted with main rotor shaft assembly P.N.
350A37-0003-01 to -05.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Aerospatiale AS 350 Service Bulletin No. 62-08.
Compliance: At the next Main Rotor Shaft disassembly operation or the next 300 hour rotor shaft repair operation after 12 March 1987 which ever occurs first.
Background: The manufacturer has replaced BC type bolts with BE type bolts to attach the planet gear cage to the rotorshaft.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended by the legislative instrument F2006B09342, specifically address the safety concerns associated with the planet gear cage to rotor shaft attachment bolts in the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. Enacted to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of these aircraft, this regulation was introduced to address potential safety risks related to the aforementioned bolts. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority, under the authority of the Australian Parliament, issued this regulation with a clear policy objective of enhancing aviation safety by mandating compliance with Aerospatiale AS 350 Service Bulletin No. 62-08. This involves replacing the BC type bolts with BE type bolts to mitigate any risk of failure, thereby ensuring the continued operational safety of these helicopters.
The requirement set forth in this regulation applies to all model AS 350 B, B1, D, D1, and L1 helicopters that are fitted with a main rotor shaft assembly bearing specific part numbers. Compliance must be achieved either at the next main rotor shaft disassembly operation or the next 300-hour rotor shaft repair operation after 12 March 1987, whichever comes first. This directive underscores the importance of adhering to the manufacturer’s service bulletin to maintain the structural integrity and operational safety of the aircraft in question.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the authority and obligations of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in ensuring the airworthiness of aircraft through the issuance of Airworthiness Directives. In this context, AD/ECUREUIL/35 mandates that all Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters, namely models AS 350 B, B1, D, D1, and L1, which are fitted with main rotor shaft assembly parts numbered from 350A37-0003-01 to -05, must comply with the requirements outlined in Aerospatiale AS 350 Service Bulletin No. 62-08. This directive involves the replacement of BC type bolts with BE type bolts for attaching the planet gear cage to the rotor shaft. Compliance must be achieved at the next Main Rotor Shaft disassembly operation or the next 300-hour rotor shaft repair operation following 12 March 1987, whichever occurs first. The legislation applies to all operators of the specified helicopter models within the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring adherence to safety standards set by CASA. The regulations do not specify exclusions or exemptions within the provided text, indicating that all applicable helicopters must comply without exception.
Key Provisions
The primary operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters, pertain to the mandatory action regarding the planet gear cage to rotor shaft attachment bolts (section 3/87). This section requires compliance with Aerospatiale AS 350 Service Bulletin No. 62-08, which mandates that the action be taken at the next Main Rotor Shaft disassembly operation or the next 300-hour rotor shaft repair operation after 12 March 1987, whichever occurs first. This applies to all model AS 350 B, B1, D, D1, L1 helicopters equipped with main rotor shaft assembly P.N.350A37-0003-01 to -05.
The obligations imposed by this regulation on the parties or entities governed by it are quite specific. Operators of the specified Eurocopter AS 350 Series helicopters must ensure that the replacement of BC type bolts with BE type bolts is carried out as outlined in Aerospatiale AS 350 Service Bulletin No. 62-08. This involves a thorough inspection and potentially the replacement of the bolts during either the next Main Rotor Shaft disassembly or the next 300-hour rotor shaft repair operation post-12 March 1987. The directive underscores the importance of adhering to manufacturer-specified procedures to maintain the airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in section 3/87 may result in significant civil and criminal consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose penalties for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. While the specific penalties are not detailed within this directive, breaches of airworthiness regulations generally attract severe penalties. These can include fines and potential prosecution under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, which may result in criminal charges for operators who fail to adhere to safety mandates. The overarching aim is to ensure that all aircraft meet the required safety standards to protect passengers and crew.