AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/69 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/69
Amdt 2
Main Rotor Starflex Star 7/2002
Applicability: Model AS 350 helicopters, versions B, BA, B1, B2, B3, BB, and D; equipped with Starflex Stars part number 350A31.1916.00 mounted on main rotor hubs without MOD 076221 incorporated.
Requirement: 1. Inspect in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Telex 05.00.38 R2; and,
2. Modify in accordance with paragraph 2 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin
62.00.24 (MOD 076221).
Note 1: Requirement 2 is now terminating action for Requirement 1. Note 2: DGAC AD 2001-557-086(A) R3 refers.
Compliance: 1. Unless the initial inspection is already accomplished, before further flight after 11 July 2002. Thereafter on completion of each flight following rotor stoppage.
2. Before 31 March 2002 for Model AS 350 B3 helicopters, and before 31 May 2002 for Model AS 350 B, BA, B1, B2, BB, and D helicopters: unless already accomplished.
The compliance time for Requirement 2 remains unchanged by this issue.
This Directive shall be entered on the Maintenance Release as maintenance required. The required visual inspection may be performed and certified by a Pilot in Command who has been trained to do the inspection by an appropriately qualified person. In
this case, a copy of the Requirement document and this Directive is to be carried in the aircraft.
This Amendment becomes effective on 11 July 2002.
Background: Reports were received of several occurrences of rapid bonding failure of the metal bush that is installed on the Starflex star arm ends. In some cases, these incidents caused the pilots to land quickly due to strong vibrations in the cabin.
Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters
AD/ECUREUIL/69 Amdt 2 (continued)
Amendment 1 required the incorporation of MOD 076221, in addition to the currently required inspection.
Amendment 2 is issued in response to a revision of the related DGAC AD which excludes Starflex stars mounted on main rotor hubs post MOD 076221 from the scope of this Directive,
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 23 November 2001.
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 13 March 2002.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 31 May 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 June 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/69 Amendment 2 in 2002 to address safety concerns regarding the rapid bonding failure of the metal bush on the Starflex star arm ends of Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. This AD was enacted under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 (CAR 1988) and revokes the previous AD/ECUREUIL/69 Amendment 1. The policy objective is to ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected helicopters by mandating specific inspections and modifications to prevent potential unsafe conditions stemming from the bonding failure of the metal bush, which had caused strong vibrations and necessitated emergency landings. This AD applies to AS 350 helicopters equipped with Starflex Stars mounted on main rotor hubs without the incorporation of MOD 076221. The directive requires inspections and modifications in line with Eurocopter’s Alert Telex and Service Bulletin, and compliance must be achieved within specified timeframes.
Scope and Application
This Airworthiness Directive applies specifically to Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) series helicopters, including versions B, BA, B1, B2, B3, BB, and D, that are equipped with Starflex Stars part number 350A31.1916.00 mounted on main rotor hubs and lack the MOD 076221 modification. The directive was issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, David Alan Villiers, and it mandates specific actions to address an identified unsafe condition related to rapid bonding failures of metal bushes on the Starflex star arm ends, which could lead to hazardous vibrations during flight. Compliance with this directive is essential for maintaining the airworthiness of the specified aircraft within Australia's jurisdiction. The directive outlines mandatory inspections and modifications as per Eurocopter's Alert Telex and Service Bulletin instructions, with specific timelines for compliance based on the helicopter model. The directive is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia and was notified in the Australia Gazette on 19 June 2002.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive AD/ECUREUIL/69 Amdt 2, issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), applies to certain models of Eurocopter AS 350 helicopters (sections B, BA, B1, B2, B3, BB, and D) equipped with Starflex Stars part number 350A31.1916.00 mounted on main rotor hubs, excluding those with MOD 076221 incorporated (section 1). The directive mandates two main actions: first, a visual inspection in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Telex 05.00.38 R2, and second, a modification in line with Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 62.00.24 (MOD 076221) (section 2). Note 1 clarifies that the modification is now a terminating action for the inspection requirement.
The AD imposes obligations on the parties or entities it governs, including the requirement to conduct the specified inspection before any flight after 11 July 2002, unless the initial inspection has already been completed. For Model AS 350 B3 helicopters, the inspection must be completed before 31 March 2002, and for other specified models, before 31 May 2002 (section 3). The modification must be completed according to the stated timelines and guidelines. The directive must be recorded on the Maintenance Release as maintenance required. A trained Pilot in Command can perform the visual inspection, in which case a copy of the requirement document and the directive must be carried in the aircraft (section 3).
Failure to comply with the AD can result in various civil or criminal consequences, including fines and potential legal action under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and other related legislation. The specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself but could include fines of up to $132,000 for corporations and $26,400 for individuals, as outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (section 101.090). Non-compliance can also lead to the grounding of the affected aircraft until the required actions are completed, thereby affecting the operational capability and potentially leading to financial losses for the operators.