AD/ECUREUIL/70 Amdt 1 - Main Servocontrol Rods

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Legislation au F2006B09376 In force Legislative Instrument

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AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/70 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 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/70

Amdt 1


Main Servocontrol Rods 7/2003 TX

 

 

Applicability: All AS 350 helicopters, versions B, BA, B1, B2, B3, BB and D, fitted with servocontrols listed in Table 1 and Table 2 of this Directive.

 

Table 1 - TRW-SAMM Main Servocontrols part number (P/N) SC 5083 and SC 5084 with part numbers without the suffix “V” with the following serial numbers:

 

Part Number

Serial Number

SC 5083

1500 to 1515 inclusive

SC 5084

722 to 726 inclusive.

 

 

Table 2 - Main and tail servocontrols, P/N SC5081-1, SC5082-1, SC5083, SC5084, SC5071-1 and SC5072, with part numbers without suffix "V", with the following serial numbers:

 

Part Number

Serial Number

SC5081-1

78, 89, 227, 240, 315, 362, 427, 451,

 

452, 492, 497, 498, 506, 512,532, 550,

 

556, 561.

SC5082-1

045, 180, 194, 197, 254, 264.

 

Table 2 continued

 

Part Number

Serial Number

SC5083

01, 03, 05, 082, 17, 21, 40, 43M, 65M,

77, 87, 103M, 106M, 107, 109, 128,

129, 138, 139, 144, 148, 152, 206, 207,

218, 221, 226, 235, 239, 240, 241, 243,

254, 256, 269, 286, 287, 290, 291, 302,

312, 321,325, 327, 330, 331, 334, 338,

339, 347M, 356M, 365, 371, 372,

378M, 380M, 389, 412M, 418, 423,

428, 439, 484M, 503, 505, 525, 526,

528, 529, 573M, 587, 594M, 598, 612,

622, 1150 to 1155, 1157, 1159 to 1169,

1180 to 1199, 1207, 1208, 1210 to 1259,

1269, 1291 to 1499.

SC5084

013, 025, 31, 75, 087, 87, 101M, 102,

105, 108, 136, 160, 162, 165M, 203,

205, 205M, 209, 220, 225, 232M,

239M, 267M, 271, 288M, 292, 300,

320, 364M, 458, 612, 627, 630, 632 to

634, 636 to 652, 654, 656 to 660, 682 to

721, 727 to 731, 733 to 756.

SC5071-1

343, 389.

SC5072

003, 35, 108, 197, 216M, 253M, 339M,

347M, 432M, 700 to 724, 726 to 744,

763 to 768, 783 to 789, 820 to 883.

Note 1: Servocontrols that have been checked or reconditioned by TRW-SAMM and are identified by a letter “V” engraved to the right of the part number on the identification plate.

Requirement: 1. Unless previously accomplished check whether any of the servocontrols listed in Table 1 and Table 2 of this Directive are installed on the aeroplane.

2.        Unless previously accomplished replace any servocontrols listed in Table 1 with servocontrols not listed in Table 1 or Table 2.

 

3.        Replace any servocontrols listed in Table 2 with servocontrols not listed in Table 1 or Table 2.

 

4.        Do not install any servocontrols listed in Table 1 or Table 2 of this Directive.

 

Note 2: DGAC AD 2003-099(A) refers.

 

Compliance: 1. Before further flight.

 

2.        Before further flight.

 

3.        Within 550 flight hours or 24 months, whichever occurs first, after the effective date of this Directive.

 

4.        From the effective date of this Directive.

 

This Amendment becomes effective on 9 May 2003.

 

Background: This Directive was prompted by advice that a manufacturing defect has been detected in a batch of rods of the main servocontrol. Failure of the rod will lead to loss of control of the helicopter. This amendment is prompted by additional defects being discovered in servocontrols with additional part numbers and serial numbers.

 

This original issue of this Directive became effective 3 December 2001.


Jim Coyne

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 6 May 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 May 2003.

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/70 Amendment 1 to address safety concerns arising from a manufacturing defect in the main servocontrol rods of Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. This directive was enacted to ensure that specific servocontrols with identified defects are replaced or removed to prevent loss of control, which could lead to unsafe conditions. The AD was issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. It mandates that specified servocontrols be checked, replaced, or removed according to the requirements outlined in the directive, with a compliance deadline set for before further flight or within a certain period after the directive's effective date. This legislative instrument was designed to protect public safety by mitigating the risk associated with the identified defects.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive AD/ECUREUIL/70 Amdt 1, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, applies specifically to Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters equipped with certain main servocontrol rods. These helicopters include versions B, BA, B1, B2, B3, BB, and D, which must be fitted with servocontrols listed in Table 1 and Table 2 of the directive. The directive mandates specific actions to address identified safety concerns related to these components. Table 1 lists TRW-SAMM Main Servocontrols with part numbers SC 5083 and SC 5084 without the suffix “V” and specific serial numbers, while Table 2 details other main and tail servocontrols with certain part numbers and serial numbers, all of which are also without the suffix "V". The directive requires that these specific components either be replaced or not installed to mitigate risks associated with potential failures. The directive applies nationwide across the Commonwealth of Australia and is effective from 9 May 2003, as published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on that date. The directive sets compliance timelines, with some actions needing to be completed before further flight, and others within 550 flight hours or 24 months from the directive's effective date.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) pertains specifically to the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) series helicopters, requiring certain actions to address safety concerns related to main servocontrol rods. Section (a) of the AD requires that all AS 350 helicopters, versions B, BA, B1, B2, B3, BB, and D, fitted with specific servocontrols, identified in Tables 1 and 2 of the Directive, must undergo a verification process to ensure that these specific components are not installed. Section (b) mandates that any identified servocontrols listed in Table 1 must be replaced with servocontrols that are not listed in Tables 1 and 2. Section (c) requires that any servocontrols listed in Table 2 must also be replaced with servocontrols not listed in Tables 1 and 2. Finally, section (d) prohibits the installation of any servocontrols listed in Tables 1 and 2 of this Directive. The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties or entities it governs, primarily focusing on the verification and replacement of certain servocontrol components. Owners and operators of AS 350 helicopters must ensure that they conduct the necessary checks and replacements as outlined in the AD. This includes verifying the presence of the specified servocontrols and replacing them with approved alternatives if necessary. Additionally, the AD mandates that these actions must be completed within specific timeframes: before any further flight if the components are already installed and within 550 flight hours or 24 months, whichever occurs first, after the effective date of this Directive. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the AD may result in civil and criminal consequences. The AD specifies that non-compliance may lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). While the AD does not explicitly list penalties, non-compliance with CASA regulations generally can result in fines and other enforcement actions, including potential grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are taken. It is important to note that the AD does not specify maximum penalties, but non-compliance with aviation safety regulations can lead to significant civil and criminal liabilities.

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