AD/ECUREUIL/67 Amdt 1 - Rear Bench Cushions

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, deals with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) role in issuing airworthiness directives to ensure the safety of aircraft operations. Enacted by the Australian Government, these regulations aim to mitigate risks associated with aviation operations, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew by addressing potential hazards identified in aircraft design, manufacture, or operation. The regulations empower CASA to issue directives that mandate corrective actions to be taken by aircraft operators to rectify unsafe conditions, thereby maintaining the high safety standards required in the aviation industry. In response to reports of in-flight loss of rear bench seat cushions in Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters, CASA issued an airworthiness directive to address this safety concern. The directive mandates the removal of unoccupied cushions from the rear bench seat unless they are secured by additional mechanical means approved in accordance with the relevant regulations. This directive aims to prevent the risk of these cushions interfering with the main or tail rotor, which could result in a loss of control. The directive, which became effective on 12 April 2001, provides operators with specific instructions to ensure compliance and maintain the safety of their operations.

Scope and Application

This legislative instrument, which is an amendment to the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), specifically targets Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series helicopters with certain versions—namely B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, and D—that are equipped with a rear bench seat. The amendment pertains to the safety requirements concerning the rear bench cushions, which must be either removed if unoccupied or secured with mechanical means approved under CAR 35, in addition to the existing Velcro method. This directive applies to all such aircraft and mandates compliance prior to any flight with the doors removed or the sliding doors in the open position after 12 April 2001. Additionally, if the cushions are not secured by approved mechanical means, a copy of this Airworthiness Directive must be carried in the aircraft at all times. The amendment responds to incidents where cushions were lost in-flight, posing a risk of contacting the main or tail rotor and potentially causing loss of control. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate has determined that this directive is necessary to mitigate such risks and ensure the continued airworthiness of these helicopters.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/67Amdt 1 (2001) mandate specific actions concerning the rear bench cushions of AS 350 helicopters. Specifically, section (a) requires the removal of any unoccupied cushions from the rear bench seat of the applicable AS 350 helicopter models (B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, and D) unless the seat cushions are mechanically restrained in addition to the existing Velcro method. Section (b) provides the requirement for mechanical means approved under CAR 35 to ensure the cushions do not pose a safety risk. Section (c) sets the compliance timeline, stipulating that these actions must be taken before any flight with the door(s) removed or the sliding door(s) in the open position after 12 April 2001. Moreover, if the cushions are not mechanically restrained, a copy of this Directive must be carried in the aircraft at all times. The obligations imposed by this AD include ensuring that the rear bench cushions are either removed or secured with additional mechanical restraints. Operators must comply with these directives before any flight under the specified conditions. Additionally, it is mandatory to carry a copy of the AD in the aircraft at all times if the cushions are not mechanically restrained. This requirement underscores the importance of adhering to the stipulated safety measures to prevent potential hazards during flight operations. Failure to comply with the AD may result in significant consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the AD, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can lead to serious civil and criminal penalties. For instance, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can result in fines and potential grounding of the aircraft. In severe cases, individuals or companies found in breach of these regulations may face criminal charges, including imprisonment, depending on the severity of the violation and its impact on aviation safety.