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 revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/89 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/89
Amdt 1
Battery Lug Connection 8/2004
Applicability: AS 350 helicopters, versions B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3 and D pre modification 073226 (Eurocopter Service Bulletin (SB) AS350 24.00.11).
Requirement: Inspect the battery lug connection/angled plate assembly installation and electrical sheathing in accordance with paragraph 2.B of either Eurocopter AS 350 Alert Telex
24.00.10 or Eurocopter Alert SB AS350 24.00.10.
Note: DGAC AD F-2003-260 R1 refers.
Compliance: Before the next flight after the effective date of the original issue of this Directive and thereafter whenever a battery is removed/installed until Mod 073226 is accomplished in accordance with Eurocopter SB AS350 24.00.11.
This Amendment becomes effective on 5 August 2004.
Background: The original issue of this Directive required the inspection of the battery lug connect/angled plate assembly and the protecting sheath to ensure correct assembly and/or damage. Incorrect assembly can cause a short circuit and complete loss of both the electrical power generating system together with battery power.
This Amendment provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections and records the conversion of the alert telex to an alert service bulletin.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 10 July 2003.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 June 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 July 2004.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) were enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia, addressing the need for comprehensive regulations governing aircraft operations, maintenance, and airworthiness. Part 39 of the CASR specifically deals with airworthiness directives, which are regulatory measures issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to address safety issues identified in aircraft or aeronautical products. These directives are crucial in maintaining the safety standards required by the Australian aviation industry. The policy objective behind these regulations is to ensure that all civil aircraft in Australia meet the necessary safety standards to protect the public and maintain the integrity of the aviation system. The authority to enact and amend such regulations is vested in the Parliament of Australia, ensuring that they are subject to legislative oversight and accountability.
Scope and Application
This Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 Airworthiness Directive, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, specifically targets Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series helicopters, including versions B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, and D, prior to modification 073226. The directive mandates that the battery lug connection and electrical sheathing of these helicopters be inspected in accordance with the specified Eurocopter Service Bulletins. The directive applies to all such helicopters that have not yet undergone modification 073226 and requires the inspection to occur before the next flight following the original issue of the directive and subsequently whenever a battery is removed or installed. The directive came into effect on 5 August 2004 and was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 July 2004. The scope of the directive is limited to ensuring the safety of battery installations in the specified Eurocopter AS 350 helicopters, with no broader exclusions or exemptions mentioned in the text.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39, Section 105, detail an Airworthiness Directive (AD) aimed at ensuring the safety of Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) series helicopters. The AD mandates that specific actions be taken to address a safety concern identified with the battery lug connection/angled plate assembly and electrical sheathing of these helicopters. This directive applies to the AS 350 helicopter versions B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, and D, provided they have not yet undergone modification 073226 as detailed in Eurocopter Service Bulletin (SB) AS350 24.00.11. The directive requires that these components be inspected according to the instructions provided in either Eurocopter AS 350 Alert Telex 24.00.10 or Eurocopter Alert SB AS350 24.00.10. The inspection must occur before the next flight following the effective date of the original directive and whenever a battery is removed or installed until the modification is completed.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the operators and maintainers of these helicopters. They must ensure that the battery lug connection/angled plate assembly and electrical sheathing are inspected thoroughly and in accordance with the stipulated instructions. These inspections are necessary to prevent potential issues such as short circuits that could lead to the complete loss of electrical power, both from the generating system and the battery. The inspections must be conducted diligently to maintain the airworthiness of the helicopters and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive may result in serious safety implications, potentially leading to significant operational disruptions and legal consequences. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with ADs generally can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of the affected aircraft until the required actions are completed and verified. It is crucial for operators and maintainers to adhere strictly to the AD to avoid any adverse outcomes.