AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/79 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/79
Amdt 1
'TRW-SAMM' Main Servocontrols 8/2003
Applicability: AS 350 B3 and EC 130 B4 helicopters with “TRW-SAMM’ main servocontrols Part Number (P/N) SC 8042 or SC 8043 which underwent their last overhaul or repair since overhaul at “HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE’, USA before March 1 2002.
Requirement: Remove the servocontrols and return them to “HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE”, USA for a check of the thread condition and application torque as required in Eurocopter AS 350 Alert Telex No. 67.00.23 or Eurocopter EC 130 Alert Telex No. 67A001 as applicable.
Note: DGAC AD’s 2002-314-092(A) and 2002-316-004(A) refer.
Compliance: 1. For servocontrols held as spares; prior to fitment to an aircraft.
2. For servocontrols that have been in service for less than 1000 flight ho urs since overhaul; within 550 flight hours or 3 October 2003, whichever comes first.
3. For servocontrols that have been in service between 1000 and 1300 flight hours since overhaul; prior to 1550 flight hours or 3 July 2003, whichever comes first.
4. For servocontrols:
- Fitted to AS350 B3 helicopters that have been in service for more than 1300 flight hours since overhaul; before further flight.
- Fitted to EC 130 B4 helicopters that have been in service for more than 1300 flight hours since overhaul; within 50 flight hours from the effective date of this Directive.
This Amendment becomes effective on 7 August 2003.
Background: An incorrect torque loading was found applied to the end fitting that attaches the servocontrol cylinder to the upper ball end fitting. The incorrect torque may lead to failure of the threads on the fitting, leading to separation of the upper-end fitting and result in loss of control of the helicopter.
Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters
AD/ECUREUIL/79 Amdt 1 (continued)
This amendment adds the EC 130 B4 helicopter to the list of applicable aircraft affected by this Directive.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 3 October 2002.
Jim Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 June 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 16 July 2003.
Overview
The Airworthiness Directive AD/ECUREUIL/79 Amdt 1, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in 2003, addresses a critical safety issue with the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters, specifically those equipped with "TRW-SAMM" main servocontrols parts numbered SC 8042 or SC 8043 that underwent their last overhaul or repair at HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE in the USA prior to March 1, 2002. This directive was enacted to rectify an unsafe condition identified in the torque application to the end fitting that attaches the servocontrol cylinder to the upper ball end fitting, which could result in thread failure and subsequent loss of helicopter control. The policy objective of this directive is to mandate specific actions to ensure the airworthiness of these helicopters, including the removal and inspection of the affected servocontrols, as detailed in Eurocopter's Alert Telex communications. The directive sets out a compliance timeline based on the flight hours since overhaul, ensuring that the safety issue is addressed promptly and effectively.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/79 Amdt 1 issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 pertains to specific Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters, namely the AS 350 B3 and EC 130 B4 models that have "TRW-SAMM" main servocontrols with part numbers SC 8042 or SC 8043. This AD applies to helicopters that underwent their last overhaul or repair since overhaul at "HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE", USA before March 1, 2002. The AD mandates the removal and inspection of the affected servocontrols by HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE in the USA to ensure thread condition and application torque compliance, as detailed in Eurocopter's Alert Telex No. 67.00.23 for AS 350 and No. 67A001 for EC 130. The directive applies nationwide within the Commonwealth of Australia, and compliance is mandatory for all relevant aircraft operators and maintenance personnel. The AD specifies different timelines for compliance based on the flight hours since overhaul, with the earliest deadline set for October 3, 2002, and subsequent dates contingent on the number of flight hours. This AD revokes the previous directive AD/ECUREUIL/79 and is effective from August 7, 2003, when it was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under section 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) targets specific Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) series helicopters that have undergone maintenance at "HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE," USA, before March 1, 2002. The directive specifically applies to AS 350 B3 and EC 130 B4 helicopters equipped with "TRW-SAMM" main servocontrols, identified by Part Numbers (P/N) SC 8042 or SC 8043. The requirement is to remove these servocontrols and return them to "HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE," USA for inspection and torque check as outlined in Eurocopter AS 350 Alert Telex No. 67.00.23 or Eurocopter EC 130 Alert Telex No. 67A001, as applicable.
The directive imposes obligations on the operators and maintenance providers of the affected helicopters to ensure the servocontrols are inspected and repaired as necessary. For servocontrols held as spares, this inspection must occur before they are fitted to an aircraft. For servocontrols that have been in service for less than 1000 flight hours since overhaul, the inspection must take place within 550 flight hours or by October 3, 2003, whichever comes first. For those in service between 1000 and 1300 flight hours since overhaul, the inspection must occur before reaching 1550 flight hours or by July 3, 2003. For servocontrols in service for more than 1300 flight hours, the inspection is required before further flight if fitted to an AS 350 B3, and within 50 flight hours from the directive’s effective date if fitted to an EC 130 B4.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in civil or criminal penalties. Under CASR, non-compliance with an AD can be considered an offence, leading to potential fines. The maximum penalties for contravening civil aviation safety regulations can include fines of up to $50,000 for individuals and significantly higher for corporations, depending on the severity and impact of the non-compliance. Additionally, continued operation of an aircraft in a non-compliant state can result in enforcement actions such as grounding of the aircraft, further exacerbating the consequences for the operator.