COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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.
McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters
AD/HU 369/114 Forward and Centre Thruster Control Cable
Assemblies Connector
12/2004
DM
Applicability: Model 500N helicopters, serial numbers LN001 through LN099, and equipped with forward thrusters cable assembly part number 500N7201-55, and centre cable assembly part number 500N7201-57.
Model 600N helicopters, serial numbers RN003 through RN068, and equipped with forward thrusters cable assembly part number 500N7201-55, and centre cable assembly part number 500N7201-59.
Requirement: Inspect in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of MD Helicopters Inc.
Service Bulletin SB500N-027 or SB600N-042, as applicable.
If inspection results reveal corrosion pitting or cracking, before further flight, replace the affected cable assembly with a serviceable cable assembly.
Note: FAA AD 2004-20-08 Amdt 39-13813 refers.
Compliance: Within 10 hours time in service or 30 days after 20 October 2004, whichever occurs first.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 20 October 2004.
Background: A report was received of a fractured inner female connector on a forward thruster control cable assembly due to stress corrosion cracking. An undetected corrosion- pitted or cracked connector could result in failure of the cable assembly and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 14 October 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 20 October 2004.
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Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, are designed to ensure the safety of civil aviation within Australia. This legislation provides the framework for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (AD) aimed at addressing specific safety concerns in aircraft. One such AD is AD/HU 369/114, issued on 12 December 2004, which pertains to the inspection and replacement of specific thruster control cable assemblies in certain models of McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki helicopters. This directive was introduced to address the problem of stress corrosion cracking in the thruster control cable assemblies, which could potentially lead to a loss of control in the affected helicopters. The policy objective of this directive is to ensure the continued airworthiness of the specified helicopter models by mandating timely inspections and necessary repairs.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 applies specifically to certain McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters, namely Model 500N helicopters with serial numbers LN001 through LN099 and Model 600N helicopters with serial numbers RN003 through RN068. These helicopters must be equipped with particular forward and centre thruster control cable assemblies, identified by their respective part numbers. The directive mandates an inspection procedure in line with the Accomplishment Instructions provided in MD Helicopters Inc. Service Bulletins SB500N-027 or SB600N-042, depending on the model. If the inspection reveals any corrosion pitting or cracking, the affected cable assembly must be replaced before further flight. The directive applies nationally within Australia and is effective from 20 October 2004, with compliance required within 10 hours of time in service or 30 days from the date of notification, whichever comes first. This directive extends to the specified helicopter models and configurations, ensuring adherence to safety standards to prevent potential loss of control due to cable assembly failure.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive AD/HU 369/114, issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, pertains specifically to the forward and centre thruster control cable assemblies of certain McDonnell Douglas (Hughes) and Kawasaki 369 Series Helicopters. This AD applies to Model 500N helicopters with serial numbers LN001 through LN099 and Model 600N helicopters with serial numbers RN003 through RN068, provided they are equipped with specified cable assembly part numbers. The directive requires a detailed inspection of these cable assemblies in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions provided in MD Helicopters Inc. Service Bulletin SB500N-027 for Model 500N and SB600N-042 for Model 600N. If the inspection uncovers any signs of corrosion pitting or cracking, the affected cable assembly must be replaced with a serviceable one before any further flight operations.
The obligations imposed by this AD are clear and specific. Owners and operators of the affected helicopters must ensure that the inspections are conducted precisely as outlined in the referenced service bulletins. These inspections are vital to identify any potential corrosion issues that could compromise the integrity of the thruster control cable assemblies. The directive mandates that such inspections be completed within 10 hours of time in service or 30 days from 20 October 2004, whichever comes first, to ensure that the helicopters remain airworthy and safe for operation. This timeframe underscores the urgency and critical nature of the required actions.
Failure to comply with the AD can result in severe consequences. Non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive is a breach of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, and it can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The specific consequences of non-compliance may include fines, operational restrictions, or even the grounding of the aircraft until the required actions are completed. These measures are in place to ensure that the safety risks identified by the AD are mitigated, thereby protecting both the aircraft and the passengers on board. The regulatory framework is designed to enforce strict adherence to safety standards, reflecting the high stakes involved in civil aviation safety.