COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters
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 CAR 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.
AD/ECUREUIL/62 Ferry Fuel Tanks 9/2000 DM
Applicability: AS 350 B, BA, B1, B2, B3, BB and D helicopters, metal ferry fuel tanks, part number 330A 871310.00, .01, .02, .03 and .04.
Requirement: 1. For installed metal ferry fuel tanks - Electrically bond the fuel tanks in accordance with paragraph C.C of Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.14 dated 6 June 2000.
2. For metal ferry fuel tanks that are not installed - Electrically bond the fuel tanks in accordance with paragraph C.C of Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.14 dated 6 June 2000.
Note: DGAC AD 2000-302(A).
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Before the next refuelling of the ferry fuel tank after the effective date of this Directive.
For Requirement 2 - Before installation of the ferry fuel tank. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 26 July 2000.
Background: The French Direction Generale de L’Aviation Civile has advised that an electrostatic ground connector on several ferry fuel tanks was not electrically bonded to its support. During refuelling of a tank, the absence of this electrical bonding could generate an electrical arc between the refuelling nozzle of the tanker and the fuel tank causing the fuel tank to explode.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 18 July 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 July 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of Australia, provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations within the country. Among the various provisions, Part 39 addresses airworthiness directives which are crucial in maintaining the safety standards of aircraft. One such airworthiness directive is AD/ECUREUIL/62, issued in 2000 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address the problem of unbonded electrostatic ground connectors on Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters' metal ferry fuel tanks. This directive aims to prevent the risk of electrostatic discharge during refuelling, which could potentially lead to fuel tank explosions. CASA issued this directive to ensure the safe operation of affected aircraft by mandating the electrical bonding of ferry fuel tanks as per specified instructions.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, mandates the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (AD) aimed at ensuring the safety of aircraft. This particular AD/ECUREUIL/62 issued on 9th July 2000, pertains to the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. It applies to all Eurocopter AS 350 B, BA, B1, B2, B3, BB and D helicopters equipped with metal ferry fuel tanks bearing the part numbers 330A 871310.00,.01,.02, .03 and.04. The AD requires the electrical bonding of these fuel tanks to prevent the generation of an electrical arc during refuelling, which could result in an explosion. The directive applies to both installed and uninstalled metal ferry fuel tanks, with specific timelines for compliance: bonding must be completed before the next refuelling for installed tanks, and before installation for uninstalled tanks. The AD became effective on 26 July 2000, marking its applicability throughout the Commonwealth of Australia.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, mandates the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue airworthiness directives (ADs) to ensure the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products. This directive, AD/ECUREUIL/62, applies to Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) series helicopters equipped with specific metal ferry fuel tanks. The AD, issued on 18 July 2000 by a CASA delegate, requires the electrical bonding of these ferry fuel tanks to prevent potential fuel tank explosions during refuelling due to an electrostatic discharge.
The directive specifies two main requirements. For installed metal ferry fuel tanks, the tanks must be electrically bonded in accordance with Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.14 dated 6 June 2000, specifically paragraph C.C. Similarly, for metal ferry fuel tanks that are not yet installed, they must also be electrically bonded before installation. The directive became effective on 26 July 2000, and compliance with the bonding requirements must occur before the next refuelling of the ferry fuel tank after the effective date for installed tanks, and before installation for un-installed tanks.
The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and specific. Owners or operators of Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) helicopters with the affected ferry fuel tanks must ensure that the electrical bonding is performed as per the instructions provided in the Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.14. Failure to comply with these directives could lead to significant safety risks, including the potential for fuel tank explosions during refuelling. Therefore, adherence to these requirements is critical for maintaining the airworthiness of the affected helicopters.
Non-compliance with the AD can result in severe consequences. The regulations do not specify particular penalties in the text, but non-compliance with CASA directives generally can lead to enforcement actions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. These actions can include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, and other civil or criminal penalties as deemed necessary by the CASA. Ensuring adherence to these safety directives is therefore not only a regulatory requirement but also a critical safety measure to protect lives and property.