AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/GAZELLE/25 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/25
Amdt 1
Main Rotor and Tail Rotor Dynamic Components
10/2003
Applicability: Model SA 341G and SA 342 J helicopters, equipped with dynamic components following overhaul (RG) or repair (RE) at the Eurocopter Helicopter Maintenance and Overhaul Facility (D.E.R.H.), listed in Tables 1 and 2 (as applicable) of paragraph 4 “Appendix” of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 65.60.
Requirement: 1. Using the Equipment Log Cards (FMEs) of the dynamic components, check whether the dynamic components embody parts affected by this Directive, in accordance with the instructions specified in paragraph 2.B.1. of Alert Service Bulletin No. 65.60.
If the Requirement 1 check does not reveal the existence of a part affected by this Directive, no further action is required.
If the check reveals the existence of one or more part(s) affected, comply with the instructions specified in paragraph 2.B.2 of Alert Service Bulletin No. 65.60.
2. After correction in accordance with paragraph 2.B.2.1 of Alert Service Bulletin No. 65.60, if the number of operating hours of a part exceeds its life limit, remove the part concerned or the assembly that embodies the part in accordance with the instructions specified in paragraph 2.B.2.2. of Alert Service Bulletin No. 65.60.
Comply with paragraph 2.B. of Alert Service Bulletin No. 65.60 on dynamic components that have been stored following repair or overhaul, before installation on aircraft.
Note: DGAC AD 2002-452(A) R1 refers.
Compliance: 1. Within 10 flight hours after 11 September 2002, unless already accomplished.
2. If affected, within 50 flight hours following determination that the life limit has been exceeded.
The compliance times of this Directive remain unchanged by this issue. This Amendment becomes effective on 2 October 2003.
Eurocopter SA341 and SA342 (Gazelle) Series Helicopters
AD/GAZELLE/25 Amdt 1 (continued)
Background: A discrepancy in the D.E.R.H. computer system, which is used to carry over the number of operating hours of the parts following repair or overhaul work, is the cause of incorrect completion of some Equipment Log Cards. The result of this discrepancy is that a part that has changed part number or serial number following repair or modification, may have been dispatched with incorrect operating hours. Affected items will show zero hours on their FME.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the related DGAC AD, which introduces Alert Service Bulletins in place of the previously referenced Alert Telexes, with no change in technical content.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 11 September 2002.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 1 August 2003
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 10 September 2003.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/GAZELLE/25 Amendment 1 in 2003 to address safety issues related to Eurocopter SA341G and SA342J (Gazelle) Series Helicopters. This AD was enacted to rectify discrepancies in the dynamic components' operating hours as recorded on Equipment Log Cards following repair or overhaul work, which were due to errors in the D.E.R.H. computer system. The primary objective of this legislation was to ensure the airworthiness of these helicopters by mandating specific actions to be taken if certain dynamic components were found to be affected. The directive requires the verification of parts affected by this issue and mandates their removal if their operating hours exceed the life limit, thus maintaining the safety and compliance standards as outlined by the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. This AD was introduced to mitigate potential safety risks and was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 10 September 2003.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) applies specifically to the Eurocopter SA341G and SA342 J helicopters that have undergone dynamic component overhaul or repair at the Eurocopter Helicopter Maintenance and Overhaul Facility (D.E.R.H.). The directive mandates that any helicopter equipped with dynamic components following overhaul or repair as listed in Tables 1 and 2 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 65.60 must adhere to the requirements set out in this AD to ensure continued airworthiness. The AD is applicable nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia, aligning with the CASA’s regulatory framework. The directive specifies a compliance timeline, requiring compliance within 10 flight hours after the AD’s effective date of 11 September 2002, or within 50 flight hours if the life limit of a part is found to have been exceeded post-correction. The AD revokes the previous AD/GAZELLE/25 and incorporates amendments to reflect changes in the reference service bulletins, while maintaining the same technical content.
Key Provisions
The main sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) concern the applicability of the directive, the specific requirements, and the compliance timelines. The AD applies to SA 341G and SA 342 J helicopters equipped with dynamic components following overhaul or repair at the Eurocopter Helicopter Maintenance and Overhaul Facility (D.E.R.H.), as listed in Tables 1 and 2 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 65.60 (section 1). The directive requires operators to use Equipment Log Cards (FMEs) to check whether the dynamic components contain parts affected by the directive, in accordance with the instructions in paragraph 2.B.1 of Alert Service Bulletin No. 65.60 (section 1). If the check reveals any affected parts, the instructions in paragraph 2.B.2 must be followed. After correcting the parts in accordance with paragraph 2.B.2.1, if the number of operating hours exceeds the life limit, the part or assembly must be removed as per paragraph 2.B.2.2. Also, any dynamic components stored after repair or overhaul must comply with the instructions in paragraph 2.B. of Alert Service Bulletin No. 65.60 before installation on aircraft (section 1).
Operators of the SA 341G and SA 342 J helicopters must ensure that the dynamic components of their aircraft comply with the AD. This includes checking the Equipment Log Cards to determine if any parts are affected by the directive and following the appropriate corrective actions if needed. If the life limit of any part is exceeded after correction, the part or assembly must be removed as specified. Additionally, any dynamic components that have been stored after repair or overhaul must comply with the storage instructions before being installed on the aircraft (section 1).
Failure to comply with this AD can result in civil and criminal consequences. Operators who do not adhere to the requirements and timelines specified in the AD may face enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Potential penalties can include fines, suspension or revocation of the operator’s certificate, and other regulatory sanctions. The exact penalties depend on the nature and severity of the non-compliance (section 1). The directive mandates that the required actions be taken within 10 flight hours after 11 September 2002, unless already completed. If any parts are found to be affected, the necessary corrective actions must be taken within 50 flight hours following the determination that the life limit has been exceeded (section 1). The AD remains effective as originally issued, with the amendment becoming effective on 2 October 2003 (section 1).