AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/65 Amdt 1 and issues the following 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.
Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters
AD/ECUREUIL/65
Amdt 2
Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Forward Fairing 5/2002
Applicability: All AS 350 B3 helicopters fitted with forward fairing part numbers: 350A23.0032.09 pre Mod 073097
350A23.1075.00 post Mod 073097
Requirement: Action in accordance with DGAC AD 2000-340-080(A) R2.
Note: Eurocopter AS 350 Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.35 refers.
Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document.
This Amendment becomes effective on 16 May 2002.
Background: The DGAC received a report of the loss of the heat shield of the tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing. This AD requires inspections, and a repair, for cracks in the tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing. If cracks are not detected early enough, the fairing could separate from the helicopter and become a serious safety hazard.
Amendment 1 corrected an applicability error and introduced a revision of the related DGAC AD and Telex Service documents, which clarified the modification status for the fairing inspection requirements.
Amendment 2 is issued in response to a revision of the related DGAC AD, which introduces a new service bulletin that replaces the previous service telex, and clarifies fairing applicability.
Amendment 1 to this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 20 September 2000.
Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters
AD/ECUREUIL/65 Amdt 2 (Continued)
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 7 August 2000.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 5 April 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 April 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/65 Amdt 2 under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) to address a safety issue identified in the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. This AD was enacted to ensure that all AS 350 B3 helicopters fitted with specific forward fairing part numbers undergo necessary inspections and repairs to prevent the loss of the heat shield of the tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing, which could lead to serious safety hazards if not detected early enough. This directive follows reports of the loss of the heat shield and is aimed at correcting an unsafe condition by mandating actions as per the DGAC AD 2000-340-080(A) R2. The AD was effective from 16 May 2002, following its notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 April 2002.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) pertains to specific Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters fitted with certain forward fairing parts. The directive applies to all AS 350 B3 helicopters equipped with tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing part numbers 350A23.0032.09 pre Mod 073097 and 350A23.1075.00 post Mod 073097. The directive requires actions to rectify an unsafe condition involving cracks in the tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing, as specified in the requirement section, which references DGAC AD 2000-340-080(A) R2. This action is mandated to ensure the safety of the aircraft and prevent potential hazards resulting from the separation of the fairing. The directive applies nationwide across the Commonwealth of Australia, reflecting its importance to aviation safety standards. The directive does not specify exclusions or exemptions but mandates strict compliance with the outlined requirements to maintain airworthiness. Any modifications or clarifications to the directive are issued as amendments, with the latest amendment becoming effective on 16 May 2002.
Key Provisions
This Airworthiness Directive, AD/ECUREUIL/65 Amdt 2, pertains specifically to Eurocopter AS 350 B3 helicopters that have a forward fairing with particular part numbers. This AD revokes an earlier version and introduces new requirements to address safety concerns identified with the tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing. The applicable helicopters are those fitted with the forward fairing part numbers 350A23.0032.09 pre Mod 073097 and 350A23.1075.00 post Mod 073097. The directive requires actions to be taken in accordance with DGAC AD 2000-340-080(A) R2, which includes specific instructions for inspection and repair of the tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing to prevent it from cracking and detaching from the helicopter, which could pose a significant safety risk.
The AD imposes several obligations on the operators and maintainers of the specified helicopters. Firstly, they must ensure that the inspections and repairs outlined in the referenced DGAC AD are conducted appropriately. This includes inspecting the tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing for any signs of cracks or other damage and performing the necessary repairs to prevent separation from the helicopter. The compliance instructions must be followed meticulously, which includes adhering to the timing and procedural aspects as specified in the requirement document. The AD also references Eurocopter AS 350 Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.35 for additional guidance.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious safety hazards, as the potential detachment of the tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing can lead to catastrophic consequences during flight. While the legislation does not explicitly state civil or criminal penalties for non-compliance, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to enforce compliance through various means, including grounding the aircraft, imposing fines, or taking other regulatory actions against the operators or maintainers found in breach of the directive. The safety of the aircraft and its occupants is paramount, and CASA will take appropriate measures to ensure that all applicable aircraft are brought into compliance with the AD to mitigate any safety risks.