AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ENST 28/1 Amdt 4 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.
Enstrom F-28 Series Helicopters
AD/ENST 28/1
Amdt 5
Retirement Life - Critical Components 3/2004
Applicability: All models.
Requirement: 1. Action in accordance with the component service life limits specified in FAA Enstrom Type Certificate Data Sheet No H1CE, Revision 23, and in Enstrom Service Information Letter 0116-Revision 4, January 2, 2001.
Note 1: Where life limits specified in these two documents are not in agreement, the lower life limit must be observed.
2. Retire from service the following components prior to exceeding the retirement life listed below.
Component | Part Number | Retirement Life (Hours) |
Tail Rotor Blade | 28-15100 | 200 |
| 28-15110 | 180 |
Swash Plate Bearing | 28-16381-1 | 1200 |
| 28-16382-1 | 1200 |
Tail Rotor Grip (wide chord) | 28-150065 | 6200 |
Note 2: Inclusion of a Part number in the above table does not override Service Documentation or AD action indicating parts are no longer approved for use. Part numbers listed may no longer be available.
Compliance: As per the requirement documents referred to in Requirement part 1 and the life limits in Requirement part 2 of this AD, as applicable.
This Amendment becomes effective on 18 March 2004.
Enstrom F-28 Series Helicopters
AD/ENST 28/1 Amdt 5 (continued)
Background: This amendment is issued to update the requirement document revision status. There is no change to the requirements. The compliance is unchanged, but the wording is clarified.
Amendment 4, effective 8 August 1991, was issued to update the mandatory retirement lives and to call up FAA and manufacturers documentation where possible.
Amendment 3 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 31 October 1982.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 6 February 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 25 February 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ENST 28/1 Amdt 5 on 6 February 2004 under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) to address safety concerns associated with critical components of Enstrom F-28 Series Helicopters. This legislative instrument revokes the previous AD/ENST 28/1 Amdt 4, updating the requirement documents referenced within the directive while maintaining the same safety requirements. The policy objective of this AD is to ensure the continued airworthiness of Enstrom F-28 Series Helicopters by enforcing mandatory retirement lives and service life limits on specific critical components, as outlined in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Enstrom Type Certificate Data Sheet and Enstrom Service Information Letter. This AD became effective on 18 March 2004 and was subsequently notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 25 February 2004.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ENST 28/1 Amdt 5 issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies to all models of Enstrom F-28 Series Helicopters, focusing on the safe operation of these aircraft through the mandatory retirement of specific components and adherence to service life limits. This directive applies to any person or entity operating Enstrom F-28 Series Helicopters within Australia, thereby ensuring compliance with the stipulated airworthiness requirements. The AD mandates actions to be taken in accordance with the component service life limits specified in FAA Enstrom Type Certificate Data Sheet No H1CE, Revision 23, and Enstrom Service Information Letter 0116-Revision 4, January 2, 2001. It also requires retirement of certain components before they exceed specified life limits, with the lower limit taking precedence in case of discrepancies between the two referenced documents. This AD is applicable nationwide, aligning with the regulatory framework established by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Notably, the AD does not override any service documentation or AD actions indicating that parts are no longer approved for use, and the listed part numbers may no longer be available. The AD becomes effective from 18 March 2004, as notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 25 February 2004.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ENST 28/1 Amdt 5, issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, pertains to all models of Enstrom F-28 Series Helicopters (section 3). The directive mandates specific actions to ensure the airworthiness of these aircraft, particularly focusing on the service life and retirement of critical components (section 3). The directive requires adherence to the component service life limits as specified in the FAA Enstrom Type Certificate Data Sheet No H1CE, Revision 23, and in Enstrom Service Information Letter 0116-Revision 4, January 2, 2001 (section 3(1)). In cases where these documents specify differing life limits, the lower limit must be observed (section 3(1) Note 1). Moreover, certain components must be retired from service before they exceed their specified retirement life. The specific components and their retirement life limits are detailed in section 3(2), with examples including Tail Rotor Blade, Swash Plate Bearing, and Tail Rotor Grip (wide chord) (section 3(2)).
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties and entities it governs. Aircraft operators and maintenance providers must ensure that all components of the Enstrom F-28 Series Helicopters are inspected and managed in accordance with the service life limits and retirement requirements specified in the directive. This involves meticulous record-keeping and adherence to the referenced documentation, such as the FAA Enstrom Type Certificate Data Sheet and the Enstrom Service Information Letter (section 3). Additionally, it is crucial to note that the inclusion of a part number in the directive does not override service documentation or AD action indicating parts are no longer approved for use (section 3 Note 2).
Failure to comply with the requirements of this Airworthiness Directive can result in serious consequences. Non-compliance may render the aircraft unsafe, leading to potential accidents or incidents that could result in loss of life or property damage. Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) may take enforcement action against operators or maintenance providers who fail to adhere to the directive. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the directive, they can include fines, suspension or revocation of operating certificates, and other regulatory actions. The directive emphasizes the importance of strict compliance to maintain the safety standards required in aviation operations (section 3).