COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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.
Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters
AD/ECUREUIL/75 Switching Unit 5/2002
Applicability: Eurocopter AS 350 B3 helicopters incorporating a switching unit part number (P/N) 200192 and delivered prior to 15 October 2001.
Requirement: 1. Carry out a once only inspection for tightness of the wire harness passing through the transmission deck above the switching unit and for the presence of water in the switching unit in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin Number 76.00.16.P5.
2. The requirements of this Directive are to be entered on the aircraft maintenance release as maintenance required and a copy of this Directive is to be attached to the Aircraft Log Book.
Compliance with Requirement 1 of this Directive constitutes terminating action for this Directive, and Requirement 2 can be cancelled when Requirement 1 has been accomplished.
Note: DGAC Airworthiness Directive 2001-548-084 refers.
Compliance: Prior to flight in icing conditions or prior to 100 hours time in service from the effective date of this Directive, whichever occurs first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 16 May 2002.
Background: This Directive has been issued to address reports of water entering the switching unit and freezing. In the event of water in the switching unit freezing, the twist grip may jam and prevent manual engine governing in the event of the automatic engine governing system failing.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 3 April 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 April 2002.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), as amended, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in Australia. Among the various legislative instruments under CAR 1998, the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (No. 1), Part 39 – 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses specific safety concerns by issuing Airworthiness Directives (AD). The ADs are designed to correct unsafe conditions identified in aircraft or aeronautical products. For instance, AD/ECUREUIL/75 issued on 5 May 2002, pertains to Eurocopter AS 350 B3 helicopters with a particular switching unit part number delivered before 15 October 2001. This AD mandates a once-only inspection for wire harness tightness and the presence of water in the switching unit, to be performed before flight in icing conditions or within 100 hours of service from the AD's effective date. The policy objective of these ADs is to maintain and enhance the safety standards in civil aviation by proactively addressing potential hazards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, outlines mandatory safety requirements for certain aircraft. This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to Eurocopter AS 350 B3 helicopters that incorporate a switching unit part number (P/N) 200192 and were delivered prior to 15 October 2001. The AD mandates a once-only inspection for the tightness of the wire harness passing through the transmission deck above the switching unit and for the presence of water within the switching unit, following the guidelines set out in Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin Number 76.00.16.P5. Additionally, the AD requires that the results of this inspection be documented as maintenance required in the aircraft maintenance release and a copy of the AD be attached to the Aircraft Log Book. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory before flight in icing conditions or within 100 hours of time in service from the effective date of the AD, whichever comes first. The AD is effective from 16 May 2002, as published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 April 2002.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandate the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safety of aircraft. Specifically, Section 39.1(1) empowers a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue such directives when necessary to correct unsafe conditions. The AD in question, AD/ECUREUIL/75, pertains to the Eurocopter AS 350 B3 helicopters with a specific switching unit part number (P/N) 200192, delivered before 15 October 2001. The directive mandates a one-time inspection of the wire harness for tightness and the presence of water in the switching unit, as detailed in Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin Number 76.00.16.P5. Moreover, the results of this inspection must be recorded in the aircraft maintenance release and a copy of the directive must be included in the Aircraft Log Book.
The AD imposes several obligations on the operators of the affected helicopters. Primarily, operators must conduct a thorough inspection of the specified components as outlined in the directive. This inspection must be meticulously documented in the aircraft maintenance release, with a copy of the directive attached to the Aircraft Log Book. The completion of this inspection constitutes the terminating action for this directive, and subsequent compliance with the second requirement can be omitted once the inspection is completed. Operators must ensure these actions are completed before the aircraft encounters flight in icing conditions or reaches 100 hours of time in service from the effective date of the directive, whichever comes first.
Failure to comply with the requirements set out in this Airworthiness Directive can result in significant consequences. While the specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed in the AD, non-compliance with CASA directives generally can lead to severe repercussions under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. This includes potential fines, penalties, and legal action against the operators or owners of the aircraft. The safety and airworthiness of the aircraft are paramount, and any deviation from the mandated requirements could jeopardise flight safety, leading to severe legal and operational consequences.