AD/GAZELLE/8 - Non Rotating Scissors Attach Bolt - Replacement

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 were enacted to regulate civil aviation in Australia, ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel. Specifically, Part 39 - 105, which includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, addresses safety standards for aircraft and operational procedures. This legislative instrument was introduced to address safety issues and maintain airworthiness standards, ensuring that aircraft meet necessary safety requirements. The policy objective of this part of the Regulations is to safeguard public safety and promote efficient air traffic management by imposing stringent safety standards and compliance requirements on aircraft operators and manufacturers. The Civil Aviation Regulations are enforced by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which is a statutory authority responsible for regulating civil aviation safety in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, mandates the replacement of the non-rotating scissors attach bolt in Eurocopter SA341 and SA342 (Gazelle) Series Helicopters. This directive applies to all models equipped with main rotor head parts numbered 341A.31.0001 or 341A.31.0020, across all dash numbers, excluding those that have incorporated modification AMS 07.6129. The directive necessitates compliance within 100 hours of time in service after 31 August 1979. This legislation underscores CASA's commitment to maintaining rigorous safety standards in civil aviation by addressing a specific issue identified with the original torque specification for the non-rotating scissors attach bolt, which had led to excessive bolt wear. The requirement to replace the bolt and adhere to a revised torque setting ensures the safety and airworthiness of the affected helicopters, thereby protecting both crew and passengers in these aircraft.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, include specific airworthiness directives that govern the maintenance and safety of aircraft. One such directive is AD/GAZELLE/8 concerning the Eurocopter SA341 and SA342 (Gazelle) series helicopters (1). This directive focuses on the replacement of the non-rotating scissors attach bolt, addressing an issue identified with the original torque specification that was found to be too low, leading to excessive bolt wear. The directive applies to all models fitted with main rotor head parts numbers 341A.31.0001 or 341A.31.0020, excluding those that have incorporated modification AMS 07.6129 (2). Compliance with AD/GAZELLE/8 necessitates the replacement of the non-rotating scissors attach bolt within 100 hours of the helicopter’s time in service after 31 August 1979 (3). The replacement should be carried out in accordance with the specified documentation, which is referenced as Gazelle SB 01-18. This document provides detailed instructions and specifications for the replacement procedure, ensuring that the new bolt is installed correctly and torqued to the revised figure (4). The primary objective of this directive is to enhance the safety and reliability of the helicopter’s main rotor system by preventing issues related to bolt wear. The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and specific. Operators of the affected helicopters must ensure that the replacement of the non-rotating scissors attach bolt is conducted within the prescribed timeframe and in line with the guidance provided in Gazelle SB 01-18 (5). This includes conducting thorough inspections to verify that the correct part numbers are being used and that the new bolt is installed and torqued to the specified requirements. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, leading to potential grounding and significant operational disruptions. In terms of consequences, failure to comply with the provisions of AD/GAZELLE/8 may result in severe penalties. While the specific civil or criminal penalties are not detailed in the directive itself, non-compliance with airworthiness directives in general can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions can include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance is deemed to have endangered safety. The severity of the penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the directive to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the affected helicopters.