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/64 Engine Oil Pipe 9/2000
Applicability: AS 350 B, B1, B2, BA, BB and D series helicopters on which MOD 07 2793 has not been accomplished.
Requirement: Install a heat resistant silicone sheath on the engine oil tank breather pipe in accordance with Eurocopter AS 350 Service Bulletin No 79.00.11 Revision 1.
Note: DGAC AD 2000-268-078(A) refers.
Compliance: Unless previously accomplished, prior to 1 January 2001.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 7 September 2000.
Background: This Directive is raised to ensure the engine oil tank breather pipe is fitted with a fire resistant sheath.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 31 July 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 August 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), address safety concerns within the aviation industry, ensuring that aircraft meet airworthiness standards. One such regulation, AD/ECUREUIL/64, issued under the authority of subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, focuses specifically on the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) series helicopters. This Airworthiness Directive was enacted to address a safety issue concerning the engine oil tank breather pipe, requiring the installation of a heat-resistant silicone sheath to mitigate fire risks. The directive, which became effective on 7 September 2000, mandates compliance by 1 January 2001 for certain AS 350 series helicopters that have not yet implemented Modification 07 2793, aligning with Eurocopter's Service Bulletin No 79.00.11 Revision 1 and corresponding DGAC AD 2000-268-078(A). The objective is to ensure these helicopters maintain operational safety and comply with regulatory standards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/64, which applies to certain Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) series helicopters. This legislation mandates that operators of AS 350 B, B1, B2, BA, BB, and D series helicopters that have not yet completed modification 07 2793 must install a heat-resistant silicone sheath on the engine oil tank breather pipe as per Eurocopter Service Bulletin No 79.00.11 Revision 1. This requirement is intended to address an unsafe condition that could potentially lead to fire hazards. The directive was issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and became effective on 7 September 2000, with a compliance deadline of 1 January 2001 for those who had not yet completed the modification. This AD is applicable within the jurisdictional reach of the Commonwealth of Australia and is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, ensuring its application across the nation.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) in this context are subregulation 39.1 (1), which provides the authority for issuing Airworthiness Directives (ADs). Specifically, the AD/ECUREUIL/64 pertains to Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters, targeting a safety issue with the engine oil tank breather pipe. The directive mandates the installation of a heat-resistant silicone sheath on the engine oil tank breather pipe, as per Eurocopter AS 350 Service Bulletin No 79.00.11 Revision 1. This directive applies to AS 350 B, B1, B2, BA, BB, and D series helicopters that have not completed Modification 07 2793. The requirement to implement this action must be fulfilled before 1 January 2001, unless it has already been completed.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of the affected helicopters. They must ensure that the specified modification—the installation of a heat-resistant silicone sheath—is carried out on the engine oil tank breather pipe. The installation must follow the instructions provided in Eurocopter AS 350 Service Bulletin No 79.00.11 Revision 1, which includes detailed technical specifications and procedures. Failure to comply with this directive could compromise the safety of the aircraft, leading to potential risks during operation.
In terms of consequences for non-compliance, while the regulations do not explicitly detail the penalties for breaching this AD, non-compliance with Airworthiness Directives generally carries significant risks. These can include the potential grounding of the aircraft, which would prevent it from being flown until the required modifications are made. Furthermore, repeated or severe non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), potentially including fines or other sanctions. CASA has the authority to take further action to ensure compliance with aviation safety standards, underscoring the importance of adhering to these directives.