AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/JBK 117/21 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.
Kawasaki BK 117 Series Helicopters
AD/JBK 117/21
Amdt 1
Rescue Winch Operation 11/2004
Applicability: Kawasaki BK117 series helicopters, except for model BK117 C2, equipped with Rescue Winch System part number 117-83500-01.
Requirement: 1. If not accomplished earlier in accordance with AD/JBK 117/21, insert either Annex A or Annex B, as applicable by helicopter serial number, into Section 3 - Emergency and Malfunction Procedures of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) Supplement No 10-16 - Rescue Winch System.
2. Modify the rescue winch power supply system in accordance with Kawasaki Heavy Industries Service Bulletin KSB-117-235 dated 2 August 2004 or later approved revision.
3. Remove the temporary AFM Supplement amendment inserted in accordance with either AD/JBK 117/21 or Requirement 1 of this Amendment.
Note: JCAB AD TCD-6482-1-2004 refers.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Before further flight after the effective date of this Directive. For Requirement 2 - Within six months after the effective date of this Amendment.
For Requirement 3 - Before further flight after the accomplishment of the Requirement 2 modification.
This Amendment becomes effective on 28 October 2004.
Background: The Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) has advised that due to a malfunction of the rescue winch system control box, winch operations may not be controllable. The original issue of this Directive required temporary amendment of the AFM Supplement providing instructions to aircrew should the control box malfunction.
This Amendment introduces a terminating action, which allows the removal of the temporary amendment of the AFM Supplement.
This original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 30 July 2004.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 16 September 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 6 October 2004.
Annex A
UNCONTROLLABLE WINCH PROCEDURES
BK117 Helicopters Serial Numbers 1001 through 1024 except 1009
When up or down operation of the winch becomes uncontrollable, interrupt the supply of power to the motor and stop the winch operation in accordance with the following procedure:
The cable operation cannot be controlled.
1. RESCUE WINCH Switch ————————————— OFF 2. BUS TIE Switch ————————————————— OFF 3. PWR SEL Switch ———————————————— OFF
4. GENERATOR I Switch —————————————— OFF
5. Cut any unnecessary load if the load of the generator exceed 150 Amps.
6. Land as soon as possible.
7. Disconnect the Rescue Winch electrical connector, then re-supply power.
Note:
The power supply to the winch motor cannot be interrupted by the WINCH CONT circuit breaker or
RESCUE WINCH MAIN SWITCH OFF.
Annex B
UNCONTROLLABLE WINCH PROCEDURES
BK117 Helicopters Serial Numbers 1009, 1025 and subsequent
When up or down operation of the winch becomes uncontrollable, interrupt the supply of power to the motor and stop the winch operation in accordance with the following procedure:
The cable operation cannot be controlled.
- RESCUE WINCH Switch ————————————— OFF
2. No. 1 BUS TIE Switch ——————————————— OFF
3. GENERATOR I Switch —————————————— OFF
4. Cut any unnecessary load if the load of the generator exceed 150 Amps (200 Amps for Model BK117 C-1).
5. Land as soon as possible.
6. Disconnect the Rescue Winch electrical connector, then re-supply power.
Note:
The power supply to the winch motor cannot be interrupted by the WINCH CONT circuit breaker or
RESCUE WINCH MAIN SWITCH OFF.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/JBK 117/21 under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 to address safety concerns related to the Kawasaki BK 117 series helicopters equipped with the Rescue Winch System part number 117-83500-01. This AD was enacted to ensure the safe operation of the rescue winch by providing specific procedures and modifications to mitigate the risk of winch system malfunctions that could lead to uncontrollable winch operations. The directive was issued following advice from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) regarding potential issues with the winch system control box, which could render the winch operations uncontrollable. The policy objective of this AD is to enhance aviation safety by mandating specific actions to rectify the unsafe condition and prevent potential hazards.
The AD requires operators of affected helicopters to incorporate specific procedures into their Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) Supplement and to modify the rescue winch power supply system. Additionally, operators must remove a temporary amendment to the AFM Supplement once the required modifications are completed. Compliance with these requirements must be achieved within specified timeframes to ensure that the safety measures are implemented promptly. This directive aims to ensure that all Kawasaki BK 117 series helicopters, except model BK117 C2, equipped with the specified rescue winch system, meet the necessary safety standards to prevent unsafe winch operations.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/JBK 117/21 applies to Kawasaki BK117 series helicopters, excluding model BK117 C2, which are equipped with the Rescue Winch System part number 117-83500-01. The AD is issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and is effective within the Commonwealth of Australia. The directive mandates specific actions to address the identified unsafe condition related to the controllability of the rescue winch system. These actions include inserting annexes into the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) supplement, modifying the rescue winch power supply system, and removing a temporary AFM supplement amendment. Compliance with the AD is required within specific timeframes post the effective date of the directive. Notably, this AD revokes the previous AD/JBK 117/21 and introduces new requirements aimed at resolving the issue of winch controllability. The AD becomes effective on 28 October 2004, as per the notification in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 6 October 2004.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) pertain to the applicability, requirement, and compliance of the Kawasaki BK 117 series helicopters, except for model BK117 C2, equipped with Rescue Winch System part number 117-83500-01 (sections 1-3). The directive mandates specific actions to address the unsafe condition identified with the rescue winch system control box. Firstly, operators must insert either Annex A or Annex B into Section 3 of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) Supplement No 10-16 - Rescue Winch System, depending on the helicopter's serial number (section 1). Secondly, the rescue winch power supply system must be modified in accordance with Kawasaki Heavy Industries Service Bulletin KSB-117-235 dated 2 August 2004 or a later approved revision (section 2). Lastly, the temporary AFM Supplement amendment inserted in accordance with AD/JBK 117/21 or Requirement 1 of this Amendment must be removed (section 3).
The obligations imposed by this Act on the parties or entities it governs include ensuring that the Kawasaki BK 117 series helicopters, except for model BK117 C2, are equipped with Rescue Winch System part number 117-83500-01 and comply with the specific modifications and procedures outlined in the AD. Operators must follow the instructions and timelines provided in the AD to maintain the airworthiness of the affected helicopters. This includes inserting the appropriate Annex into the AFM Supplement No 10-16, modifying the rescue winch power supply system within six months of the effective date, and removing the temporary AFM Supplement amendment before further flight after the modification is accomplished.
There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breach mentioned in the text of this Airworthiness Directive. However, failure to comply with the requirements of the AD may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) or other regulatory bodies. Such actions may include grounding the aircraft until compliance is achieved, fines, or other regulatory measures to ensure the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.