AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/86 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/86
Amdt 1
Horizontal Situation Indicator 5/2004
Applicability: EC 130 B4 helicopters equipped with Bendix/King KI 525A Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI).
Requirement: 1. Check the part number (P/N) of the KI 525A HSI installed on the helicopter.
Initially, no further action is necessary if the P/N is not 066-3046-07.
2. If the P/N is 066-3046-07, modify the HSI installation in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Telex 34A002 paragraph 2.A.1, for helicopters with the HSI connected to a single navigation system, or paragraph 2.A.2, for helicopters with the HSI connected to at least two navigation systems.
Note 1: Modification in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 34A002 is considered acceptable for compliance with Requirement 2.
3. Before installing a KI 525A HSI P/N 066-3046-07 in place of a KI 525A HSI with P/Ns 066-3046-00, -01, -04 or -05 ensure that the HSI installation is modified in accordance with Requirement 2.
Note 2: DGAC AD F-2002-279-003 R1 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Remains unchanged as ‘Either within 100 hours time in service after the effective date of the original issue of this Directive or before 10 August 2003, whichever occurs first’.
For Requirement 2 - Before further flight after the Requirement 1 check. For Requirement 3 - As of the effective date of this Amendment.
This Amendment becomes effective on 13 May 2004.
Background: Eurocopter has advised the French Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile that KI 525A HSIs P/N 066-3046-07 may have been incorrectly installed on some helicopters. The incorrect installation may result in navigation errors.
The original issue of this Directive introduced measures to ensure that the affected HSIs were correctly installed.
Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters
AD/ECUREUIL/86 Amdt 1 (continued)
This Amendment contains some minor editorial amendments, together with allowing credit for modifications carried out in accordance with the ASB and introduces measures to ensure that the helicopter is modified prior to the installation of a
KI 525A HSI P/N 066-3046-07.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 10 July 2003.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 2 April 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 April 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Amendment Instrument 2004 (F2006B09390) was enacted in 2004 to address the potential safety issues related to the incorrect installation of the KI 525A Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) part number 066-3046-07 on Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. This amendment to the Airworthiness Directive AD/ECUREUIL/86 was introduced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to ensure the safe operation of these helicopters by correcting the unsafe condition related to the potential navigation errors caused by the incorrect installation of the HSI. The policy objective of this legislative instrument was to provide clear instructions for the inspection, modification, and compliance requirements necessary to mitigate the risk of navigation errors and ensure the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/86 Amdt 1 applies specifically to EC 130 B4 helicopters that are equipped with a Bendix/King KI 525A Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) with a specific part number, 066-3046-07. This directive, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, mandates actions to ensure the safe operation of the specified helicopters by correcting any unsafe conditions arising from the potential incorrect installation of the HSI. The directive applies to all EC 130 B4 helicopters within the Australian jurisdiction, and it is enforced under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. The AD requires immediate action to modify the installation of the HSI if it has the specified part number, with compliance timelines provided for different stages of the required modifications. This AD does not explicitly exclude any specific entities or conduct from its purview and applies nationally as per the Commonwealth regulations. Any modifications to the application or scope of this directive may be introduced through subordinate instruments issued by CASA.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) in question (AD/ECUREUIL/86 Amdt 1) applies specifically to Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters that are equipped with a Bendix/King KI 525A Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) (Applicability). The directive requires three primary actions to be taken: first, a check of the part number (P/N) of the installed KI 525A HSI (Requirement 1); second, modification of the HSI installation if the P/N is 066-3046-07 (Requirement 2); and third, ensuring that any replacement of an HSI with P/Ns 066-3046-00, -01, -04, or -05 with a KI 525A HSI P/N 066-3046-07 is preceded by the required modifications (Requirement 3). These actions must be undertaken under the circumstances and in the manner specified in the requirements section and within the time frames mentioned in the compliance section.
The obligations imposed by the AD are clear and target-specific. Operators of the affected helicopters must ensure that the part number of the installed KI 525A HSI is checked and documented (Requirement 1). If the P/N is 066-3046-07, the installation must be modified in accordance with either Eurocopter Alert Telex 34A002 paragraph 2.A.1 or 2.A.2, depending on the helicopter's navigation system configuration (Requirement 2). Additionally, any replacement of an HSI with a different part number must be preceded by the necessary modifications to prevent potential navigation errors (Requirement 3). These obligations must be fulfilled by the specified compliance dates to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.
Failure to comply with the AD's requirements may result in serious safety issues, given the potential for navigation errors due to an incorrectly installed HSI. While the AD itself does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, non-compliance with airworthiness directives in general can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the authority to take enforcement actions against operators who fail to comply with airworthiness directives, which may include fines, suspension or revocation of aircraft certificates, and other regulatory actions. The specific penalties for non-compliance with this AD would be determined by CASA in the context of broader aviation safety regulations.