AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/GAZELLE/23 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 SA341 and SA342 (Gazelle) Series Helicopters
AD/GAZELLE/23
Amdt 1
Electric Hoist - Pyrotechnic Squib 8/2004
Applicability: SA 341 G or SA 342 J helicopters equipped with a 136kg (300 lb) emergency electric hoists, with part numbers (P/N) as follows, fitted with a junction box P/N 341A63- 1103-00:
Hoist Manufacturer
Breeze
TRW (or Lucas or Air Equipment)
Part Number
BL 16-600, BL 16-600-11 and BL 16-600-12
76-370, 76-370-010 and 76-370-011
Requirement: Modify the junction box in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of either Eurocopter SA 341/342 Alert Telex 45.05 or Eurocopter SA 341/342 Alert Service Bulletin 45.05.
Note: DGAC AD F-2002-370-043 R1 refers.
Compliance: For helicopters equipped with Breeze hoists - Remains unchanged as ‘Before the next flight with hoisting operations’.
For helicopters equipped with TRW (or Lucas or Air Equipment) hoists - Remains unchanged as ‘Within 12 months from the effective date of the original issue of this Directive or within 550 hours time in service after the effective date of the original issue of this directive, whichever occurs first; or before replacing a TRW (or Lucas or Air Equipment) hoist with a Breeze hoist’.
For helicopters fitted with any of the affected hoists - Remains unchanged as ‘Before installing or replacing a junction box with P/N 341A63-1103-00’.
This Amendment becomes effective on 5 August 2004.
Background: The French Direction Générale de L’Aviation Civile has advised that the electric hoist load jettison control system may not operate due to insufficient current to activate the pyrotechnic squib on Breeze hoist installations but is sufficient to operate squibs in TRW (or Lucas or Air Equipment) installations.
Eurocopter SA341 and SA342 (Gazelle) Series Helicopters
AD/GAZELLE/23 Amdt 1 (continued)
The original issue of this Directive required modification of the hoist installation common electrical control circuitry.
This Amendment has no effect other than to record the conversion of the alert telex to an alert service bulletin.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 12 July 2002.
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.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Act 1998 was enacted to ensure the safety of civil aviation in Australia by establishing the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as the regulatory body responsible for enforcing aviation safety standards. This Act addresses the need for a robust framework to manage and oversee the safety of aircraft and aeronautical products, ensuring compliance with international standards and regulations. The policy objective of the Act is to maintain and enhance the safety of civil aviation within Australia by providing clear regulatory mechanisms and enforcement powers to CASA. Under this Act, CASA has the authority to issue Airworthiness Directives to address identified safety issues, such as the one addressed in the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/GAZELLE/23 Amdt 1 concerning the electric hoist load jettison control system of Eurocopter SA341 and SA342 (Gazelle) Series Helicopters. This AD was issued to correct an unsafe condition that could potentially lead to operational failures, thereby ensuring the continued airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/GAZELLE/23 Amdt 1 applies to specific models of Eurocopter SA341 and SA342 (Gazelle) Series Helicopters equipped with particular emergency electric hoists. More precisely, it targets helicopters with 136kg (300 lb) emergency electric hoists manufactured by Breeze or TRW (or Lucas or Air Equipment) and fitted with a junction box P/N 341A63-1103-00. The AD mandates modifications to the junction box to rectify an unsafe condition identified in the electric hoist load jettison control system. This system's failure to operate due to insufficient current in Breeze hoist installations but adequate current in TRW hoists led to the issuance of this directive. The AD is issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), applying across the Commonwealth of Australia. Compliance timelines vary based on the hoist type and specific circumstances, such as before the next flight with hoisting operations, within 12 months from the directive's original issue date, or before replacing a hoist with another. The directive does not explicitly mention exclusions or exemptions but targets specific configurations of helicopters and hoists.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/GAZELLE/23 Amdt 1, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate, mandates specific actions for SA 341 G or SA 342 J helicopters equipped with certain emergency electric hoists. These hoists include Breeze hoists with part numbers BL 16-600, BL 16-600-11, and BL 16-600-12, as well as TRW (or Lucas or Air Equipment) hoists with part numbers 76-370, 76-370-010, and 76-370-011. The directive requires modifying the junction box in accordance with either Eurocopter SA 341/342 Alert Telex 45.05 or Eurocopter SA 341/342 Alert Service Bulletin 45.05. The amendment reflects the conversion of the alert telex to a service bulletin and is effective from 5 August 2004.
The AD imposes specific obligations on the parties involved. Operators of SA 341 G or SA 342 J helicopters must ensure that the required modifications to the junction box are completed in accordance with the directive. For helicopters equipped with Breeze hoists, the modifications must be carried out before the next flight involving hoisting operations. For helicopters equipped with TRW (or Lucas or Air Equipment) hoists, the modifications must be completed within 12 months from the effective date of the original issue of the directive, or within 550 hours of time in service after the effective date, whichever occurs first, or before replacing the TRW hoist with a Breeze hoist. Additionally, for helicopters fitted with any of the affected hoists, the modifications must be completed before installing or replacing a junction box with part number 341A63-1103-00.
Breaching the requirements set out in the AD may lead to serious consequences. The AD is legally binding, and non-compliance may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy. This could lead to enforcement actions by CASA, which might include fines, legal proceedings, and potentially grounding the affected aircraft until the necessary modifications are made. The severity of the penalties will depend on the specific circumstances of the breach, including the potential risk posed to flight safety.