AD/ECUREUIL/53 - Cyclic Pitch Change Rod

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government and administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), were introduced to regulate and ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. Part 39, in particular, focuses on airworthiness directives, which are mandatory instructions issued by CASA to ensure the continued airworthiness of aircraft. One such directive, AD/ECUREUIL/53, pertains to the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters, specifically addressing the cyclic pitch change rod for models B, BA, D, B1, and B2. This directive was implemented to address the safety concern identified by the manufacturer regarding potential issues with the cyclic pitch change control rod, which could compromise the helicopter’s safety. The directive requires compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 13 October 1994, aligning with the manufacturer's service bulletin and corresponding French civil aviation authority directive.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, applies to the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. The directive AD/ECUREUIL/53 pertains to models B, BA, D, B1, and B2 that are equipped with the cyclic pitch change control rod P/No 704A34-113-279 and do not have an auto-pilot system. This regulation mandates compliance with Eurocopter AS 350 Service Bulletin 01-42, and references DGAC AD 94-180-069(B) for further context. The requirement for action must be completed within 100 hours of time in service following 13 October 1994, reflecting the manufacturer's determination that certain control rods may not meet safety standards. The scope of this directive is national, applying across all states and territories in Australia, with the objective of ensuring the airworthiness and safety of the specified helicopter models.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertaining to the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters (section 39 - 105). This directive, identified as AD/ECUREUIL/53, mandates action concerning the cyclic pitch change rod on certain models. Models B, BA, D, B1, and B2, which are equipped with the cyclic pitch change control rod P/No 704A34-113-279 and are not fitted with an auto-pilot, fall under this directive. The directive requires compliance with Eurocopter AS 350 Service Bulletin 01-42 (section 39 - 105). This action must be taken within 100 hours of time in service after 13 October 1994. The directive references the DGAC AD 94-180-069(B) for further information. The obligations imposed by the AD/ECUREUIL/53 on the operators of the affected helicopters are to ensure that the cyclic pitch change rod is inspected and, if necessary, replaced or repaired according to the specifications outlined in Eurocopter AS 350 Service Bulletin 01-42. This means that operators must keep accurate records of the helicopter’s flight hours and ensure that the required action is taken within the stipulated timeframe. Failure to comply with this directive could lead to the helicopter being deemed unairworthy, thus preventing it from being operated until the issue is rectified. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 establish clear consequences for non-compliance with airworthiness directives. Operators who fail to adhere to the requirements set out in AD/ECUREUIL/53 may face enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). While specific offences and penalties are not detailed within the text of the directive itself, the overarching regulations provide for potential civil or criminal penalties. Civil penalties can include substantial fines, while criminal penalties may involve imprisonment, depending on the severity of the non-compliance and its impact on aviation safety. The exact penalties would be determined based on the specific circumstances of the breach and in accordance with the broader provisions of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and related regulations.