AD/ECUREUIL/80 Amdt 1 - Main Rotor and Tail Rotor Dynamic Components

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/80 Amdt 1 in 2003 to address a problem related to discrepancies in the D.E.R.H. computer system, which led to incorrect completion of Equipment Log Cards for Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. This discrepancy resulted in parts that had undergone repair or overhaul work being dispatched with incorrect operating hours, potentially posing safety risks. The AD mandates checks on dynamic components to ensure compliance with the specified instructions and mandates the removal of any parts that exceed their life limits after corrective actions are taken. The AD was issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and aims to ensure the continued airworthiness of affected helicopters by rectifying the identified discrepancies and ensuring that parts are correctly logged and maintained.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation (Airworthiness) Regulations 1998 applies specifically to the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters, namely models AS 350B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, and D, which have undergone dynamic component overhaul or repair at the Eurocopter Helicopter Maintenance and Overhaul Facility (D.E.R.H.). This directive is a Commonwealth instrument and governs the maintenance and operational safety of these particular helicopter models across Australia. The AD mandates that checks be performed on the equipment log cards of the dynamic components to ascertain if they are affected by the directive, with subsequent actions to be taken if any affected parts are identified. The directive requires the removal of parts or assemblies that have exceeded their operational life limits. Compliance with the directive must occur within specified timeframes following the identification of affected parts or within a certain period after the directive's issuance. The AD is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, David Villiers, and is intended to rectify unsafe conditions that could potentially compromise the airworthiness of the affected helicopters.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) outlined in the legislative instrument primarily addresses specific maintenance and safety requirements for Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. The AD, numbered AD/ECUREUIL/80 Amendment 1, targets the main rotor and tail rotor dynamic components of these helicopters that have undergone overhaul or repair at the Eurocopter Helicopter Maintenance and Overhaul Facility (D.E.R.H). According to Section 1 of the AD, the requirement is to check the Equipment Log Cards (FMEs) to ascertain whether the dynamic components are affected by the directive. This check should be performed in accordance with paragraph 2.B.1. of Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.25. If a part is found to be affected, further actions must be taken as outlined in paragraph 2.B.2 of the same bulletin. The obligations imposed by the AD (Section 2) on the relevant parties include ensuring that the checks on the dynamic components are conducted meticulously and within the specified timeframes. Specifically, if the check reveals that a part is affected, it must be corrected in line with the instructions in paragraph 2.B.2.1 of Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.25. Additionally, if a part's operating hours exceed its life limit post-correction, it must be removed as per the instructions in paragraph 2.B.2.2 of the bulletin. This ensures that the dynamic components are handled properly, particularly those that have been stored following repair or overhaul before being installed on aircraft. In terms of compliance, Section 3 of the AD mandates that the specified checks and actions must be completed within 10 flight hours after 11 September 2002 unless already accomplished. If it is determined that the life limit of a part has been exceeded, the required actions must be taken within 50 flight hours. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to significant safety risks, as the AD is designed to address discrepancies that could potentially compromise the airworthiness of the helicopters. The AD was issued in response to a computer system discrepancy at the D.E.R.H. that led to some parts being dispatched with incorrect operating hours. This could have serious implications if not rectified in a timely manner.