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/99 Lateral Cargo Hold Doors 7/2004
TX
Applicability: All EC 130 B4 helicopters.
Requirement: Key-lock the centre lock of the left and right lateral cargo hold doors in accordance with paragraph 1.E.2.a of Eurocopter EC 130 Alert Telex No. 04A001.
Note: DGAC Emergency AD UF-2004-066 refers.
Compliance: Prior to each flight after 14 May 2004.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 14 May 2004.
Background: During a flight test at the manufacturer’s facility, the centre lock of the lateral cargo hold door unlatched. Unlocking of the centre lock in flight, combined with aerodynamic loads, could lead to failure of the lateral lock and result in loss of the cargo hold door.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 13 May 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 May 2004.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) were enacted to ensure that civil aviation operations within Australia adhere to stringent safety standards, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the aviation industry. Part 39 - 105, in particular, provides a framework for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (AD) when it is necessary to address safety concerns with specific aircraft types or aeronautical products. The AD/ECUREUIL/99, issued on 13 May 2004, is one such directive that mandates key-locking of the centre lock on the lateral cargo hold doors of all EC 130 B4 helicopters to prevent the risk of the cargo hold door being lost during flight due to a lock failure. This directive was necessitated by an incident during a flight test where the centre lock unlatched, highlighting the potential for catastrophic consequences if not addressed promptly and effectively. The directive was designed to be implemented before each flight following its issuance date of 14 May 2004, with the aim of maintaining the safety and reliability of the aircraft in question.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, govern the airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products within Australia. This legislative framework is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which issues Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address specific safety concerns. AD/ECUREUIL/99 pertains to the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters, specifically the EC 130 B4 models, mandating that the centre lock of the lateral cargo hold doors be key-locked as per Eurocopter EC 130 Alert Telex No. 04A001. This directive is a response to an incident during a flight test where the centre lock of a lateral cargo hold door unlatched, potentially leading to catastrophic failure in flight. The requirement applies to all EC 130 B4 helicopters and must be implemented before each flight following the directive's effective date of 14 May 2004. This directive ensures the safety of these aircraft by preventing the occurrence of such a hazardous event.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR) under PART 39 - 105, specifically through the Airworthiness Directive (AD) EC/ECUREIL/99 issued on 7 July 2004, mandates actions to ensure the safety of the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters, particularly the EC 130 B4 model (section 1). This AD, issued by David Villiers, a delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), requires the key-locking of the centre locks on both the left and right lateral cargo hold doors in accordance with specified instructions (section 2). This directive is effective as of 14 May 2004 and must be complied with before each flight after this date (section 3).
The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and specific: operators of EC 130 B4 helicopters must ensure that the centre locks on the lateral cargo hold doors are key-locked prior to each flight after the effective date of the AD. This is to prevent the locks from unlatching during flight, which could lead to the loss of the cargo hold door due to aerodynamic loads (section 2). The key-locking procedure must follow the instructions provided in paragraph 1.E.2.a of Eurocopter EC 130 Alert Telex No. 04A001, ensuring that the safety measures are implemented correctly and effectively (section 2).
Failure to comply with the AD could result in serious safety hazards, as highlighted in the background information. The AD references DGAC Emergency AD UF-2004-066, indicating a significant safety concern that necessitates strict adherence to the directive. While the specific penalties or consequences for non-compliance are not detailed in the AD itself, it is understood that non-compliance with CASA directives can lead to severe penalties under the Civil Aviation Act 1988. This could include fines, enforcement actions, or even grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. The exact penalties would be determined based on the severity of the non-compliance and any resulting safety risks.