COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety 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 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/84 Hydraulic Fluid 7/2003 TX
Applicability: Eurocopter EC 130 B4 helicopters pre MOD 073718.
Requirement: | 1. | Modify the labels on the hydraulic reservoirs in accordance with paragraph 2.B.1 of Eurocopter EC 130 Alert Telex (A/T) No 29A001. |
| 2. | For helicopters using hydraulic fluid MIL-H-5606, drain and flush the hydraulic system and replenish the hydraulic system with MIL-H-83282 in accordance with |
| | paragraph 2.B.2 of Eurocopter A/T No. 29A001. |
| 3. | For reservoirs held as spares, modify the labels in accordance with paragraph |
| | 2.B.1 of Eurocopter EC 130 A/T 29A001. |
Compliance: | 1. | Before the next flight. |
| 2. | Within 50 flight hours from the effective date of this Directive. |
| 3. | Prior to installation. |
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 28 May 2003.
Background: The EC 130B4 helicopter is not certificated for use with MIL-H-5056 hydraulic fluid.
Jim Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 May 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 28 May 2003.
Page 1 of 1
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) are designed to ensure the safety of aviation in Australia. Enacted by the Australian Parliament, this legislation aims to fill the gap in ensuring that aircraft and aeronautical products meet safety standards. The regulations are administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is responsible for issuing Airworthiness Directives to correct unsafe conditions. The directive referenced here, AD/ECUREUIL/84, is an example of how CASA addresses specific safety issues, such as the inappropriate use of hydraulic fluid in certain Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. The directive mandates corrective actions to ensure the safe operation of the aircraft, highlighting CASA's commitment to maintaining high safety standards in the aviation industry.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, pertains to the regulation of airworthiness directives by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This particular Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to Eurocopter EC 130 B4 helicopters that were produced prior to modification 073718, requiring specific modifications to address safety concerns related to hydraulic fluid. The directive mandates that the labels on hydraulic reservoirs be updated, and if the helicopters are using MIL-H-5606 hydraulic fluid, the system must be drained, flushed, and replenished with MIL-H-83282. Spare reservoirs must also have their labels modified as per the directive. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved before the next flight, within 50 flight hours from the effective date of the directive, and before installation of any spare reservoirs. The AD became effective on 28 May 2003, and its issuance was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. This directive is a crucial component of ensuring the safe operation of specified aircraft within Australia’s national airspace.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, details an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under subregulation 39.1(1). This directive applies to Eurocopter EC 130 B4 helicopters that were manufactured before modification 073718. The directive, titled AD/ECUREUIL/84, mandates specific actions to ensure the safety of these helicopters. Firstly, it requires the modification of labels on the hydraulic reservoirs to comply with paragraph 2.B.1 of Eurocopter EC 130 Alert Telex (A/T) No 29A001. Secondly, for helicopters that use hydraulic fluid MIL-H-5606, the hydraulic system must be drained, flushed, and refilled with MIL-H-83282, as outlined in paragraph 2.B.2 of Eurocopter A/T No. 29A001. Lastly, any spare hydraulic reservoirs must also have their labels modified in accordance with paragraph 2.B.1 of Eurocopter EC 130 A/T 29A001.
The obligations imposed by this AD on the parties involved are clear and specific. Operators of Eurocopter EC 130 B4 helicopters must ensure that the modifications to the hydraulic reservoir labels are completed before the next flight. Additionally, the hydraulic system of any helicopter using MIL-H-5606 must be drained, flushed, and refilled with the specified hydraulic fluid within 50 flight hours from the effective date of this directive. For spare reservoirs, modifications must be made prior to their installation. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to significant safety issues, as the EC 130B4 helicopter is not certified for use with MIL-H-5606 hydraulic fluid.
Non-compliance with the AD can result in severe consequences. While the specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed within the directive itself, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Safety Regulations can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions could include fines, grounding of the aircraft, or even more severe penalties if an accident or incident occurs as a result of non-compliance. The directive is designed to prevent unsafe conditions and ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected helicopters.