COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Eurocopter SA341 and SA342 (Gazelle) Series Helicopters
AD/GAZELLE/11 Freewheel Flange Bearings - Inspection 8/82
Applicability: SA341 and SA342 series helicopters fitted with freewheel flange assembly 341A35.0110.00, 341A35.0110.01 (prior to mod. AMS 341A07.9536) or
341A35.0110.02 (post mod. AMS 341A07.9536).
Document: Gazelle SB 05.20.
Compliance: 1. Inspect in accordance with paragraph 1C(1)(a) of the document during each pre- flight inspection after 12 July 1982.
2. Inspect in accordance with paragraph 1C(1)(b) of the document at intervals not exceeding 300 hours time in service.
Note: The pre-flight inspection shall be entered on the maintenance release as maintenance required. This inspection may be performed by the pilot in command, in which case certification is not required. In all other cases certification may be made on the maintenance release. This inspection may also be performed and certified by any Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.
Background: The inspection is introduced to detect degradation of the freewheel flange bearing.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, were enacted to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation within Australia. Part 39, specifically dealing with airworthiness directives, is designed to address issues that may compromise the safety of aircraft in operation. The regulation in question, AD/GAZELLE/11, pertains to the inspection of freewheel flange bearings in Eurocopter SA341 and SA342 (Gazelle) series helicopters. This directive was introduced to ensure the safety of these aircraft by detecting potential degradation in the freewheel flange bearings, which could otherwise lead to serious operational risks. The policy objective is to mandate regular inspections to maintain the airworthiness of these helicopters, thereby preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of all persons on board.
The requirement for these inspections applies to SA341 and SA342 series helicopters equipped with specific freewheel flange assemblies. Compliance involves conducting inspections as per the stipulated intervals, which must be logged in the maintenance release. This legislative instrument underscores the importance of regular maintenance checks in upholding the highest safety standards in civil aviation.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations outlined in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, mandate that the Airworthiness Directive AD/GAZELLE/11 applies to all SA341 and SA342 series helicopters equipped with certain freewheel flange assemblies. The directive, which is integral to maintaining airworthiness, specifically targets the freewheel flange bearings, which must be inspected during each pre-flight inspection after 12 July 1982 and at intervals not exceeding 300 hours of time in service. The directive is aimed at ensuring that any degradation of the freewheel flange bearing is detected to maintain safety standards. The inspections can be conducted by the pilot in command or any Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, with the requirement that the inspection is logged in the maintenance release, highlighting its critical nature in ensuring flight safety. This regulation is pivotal for operators of these specific helicopter models within Australia, ensuring compliance with national aviation safety standards.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under PART 39 - 105, mandate specific airworthiness directives for certain aircraft models, including the Eurocopter SA341 and SA342 (Gazelle) series helicopters. Specifically, the regulation AD/GAZELLE/11 focuses on the inspection of freewheel flange bearings in these helicopters (Section 1). This directive applies to SA341 and SA342 helicopters equipped with particular freewheel flange assemblies, namely 341A35.0110.00, 341A35.0110.01 prior to modification AMS 341A07.9536, and 341A35.0110.02 post modification AMS 341A07.9536 (Section 2). The inspection procedures outlined in Gazelle SB 05.20 must be adhered to strictly to ensure compliance with the regulation (Section 3).
Operators and owners of the specified helicopters are obligated to conduct two types of inspections. Firstly, a pre-flight inspection must be performed according to the requirements set out in paragraph 1C(1)(a) of the referenced document, Gazelle SB 05.20, during each pre-flight check after 12 July 1982. This inspection is to be documented on the maintenance release as maintenance required, and it can be performed by the pilot in command, who does not need to certify the inspection. However, if any other individual performs the inspection, certification is necessary. Additionally, a more comprehensive inspection must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 300 hours of time in service, as outlined in paragraph 1C(1)(b) of Gazelle SB 05.20 (Section 4).
Failure to comply with these inspection requirements can lead to significant consequences. Although the specific regulatory text does not detail the penalties for non-compliance, non-adherence to airworthiness directives generally can result in severe repercussions under civil aviation law. These may include fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of the aircraft until the required inspections are satisfactorily completed. In more serious cases, persistent non-compliance could lead to criminal charges and prosecution, resulting in substantial penalties that could affect both the operator and the individual responsible for the oversight (Section 5).