COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Sikorsky S-76 Series Helicopters
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 CAR 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.
AD/S-76/64 Aero Aire Air Conditioning System 9/2000
DM
Applicability: Model S-76A helicopters with Aero Aire Air Conditioning System, part number (P/N) S-76A-1-2, modified in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate SH4680SW without Aero Aire Corporation Service Bulletin (SB) 970002 incorporated.
Requirement: 1. Inspect the soft-start control assembly in accordance with the Accomplishment Instruction, Section III, of Aero Aire Corporation SB No. 970001, Revision A, dated 18 September 1997,
Note 1: Neither contact with nor return of the soft-start controller unit to Aero Aire Corporation is required.
2. Install a soft start assembly retrofit kit (kit), P/N 76SB001, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Section III, of Aero Aire Corporation SB 970002, dated 18 December 1997.
Installation of this kit is terminating action for the Requirement 1 repetitive inspections.
Note 2: FAA AD 2000-12-09 Amdt 39-11787 and Sikorsky Alert Service Bulletin No. 76-21-4A dated 24 February 1998 refer.
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this Directive and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS.
For Requirement 2 - Within 120 calendar days, after the effective date of this Directive.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 26 July 2000.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Background: The FAA received a report of overheating of the air conditioning soft-start assembly, this condition if not corrected, could lead to damage in the lower tailcone, with an electrical fire and possible subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
This Directive requires repetitive inspections of the air conditioning system until a soft-start assembly retrofit kit is installed. The retrofit kit is designed to prevent a continuous flow of current through the soft-start resistor.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 18 July 2000
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 July 2000.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, address the need to maintain and enhance safety in civil aviation through a comprehensive regulatory framework. One significant component of these regulations is Part 39, which includes the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives. This particular legislative instrument, F2006B06740, aims to ensure the safe operation of Sikorsky S-76 Series Helicopters by issuing an Airworthiness Directive (AD) to address a specific safety issue. The AD, issued by a CASA delegate, mandates corrective actions to mitigate the risk of overheating in the air conditioning system of S-76A helicopters equipped with a modified Aero Aire Air Conditioning System. This action is intended to prevent potential damage, electrical fires, and loss of control, thereby safeguarding the safety of flight operations.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105 concerning Airworthiness Directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), applies to the Sikorsky S-76 Series Helicopters, more precisely to the S-76A model equipped with an Aero Aire Air Conditioning System, part number S-76A-1-2, modified under FAA Supplemental Type Certificate SH4680SW but without the Aero Aire Corporation Service Bulletin (SB) 970002 incorporated. This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is geographically applicable throughout the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all operators of the specified helicopter model adhere to the outlined safety measures. The AD mandates specific actions to rectify an identified unsafe condition: it requires repetitive inspections of the soft-start control assembly as per Aero Aire Corporation SB No. 970001, Revision A, and the installation of a soft-start assembly retrofit kit as per SB 970002. The directive stipulates that inspections must occur within 25 hours of time-in-service following the effective date of the directive and at intervals not exceeding 25 hours, while the retrofit kit installation must be completed within 120 calendar days from the directive's effective date. The AD extends its application through subordinate instruments, such as notifications in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, to ensure widespread compliance among affected parties.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically within Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the Sikorsky S-76 Series Helicopters (sections (a) to (c)). The AD pertains to S-76A helicopters equipped with the Aero Aire Air Conditioning System, part number S-76A-1-2, which have been modified in accordance with FAA Supplemental Type Certificate SH4680SW but without Aero Aire Corporation Service Bulletin 970002 incorporated. The AD mandates that the specified actions be taken to address an unsafe condition that could lead to overheating of the air conditioning system, resulting in potential damage to the lower tailcone, electrical fire, and loss of control.
The obligations imposed by this AD require operators of the affected helicopters to inspect the soft-start control assembly in accordance with Aero Aire Corporation SB No. 970001, Revision A, dated 18 September 1997, within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this Directive and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours TIS. Additionally, operators must install a soft start assembly retrofit kit, P/N 76SB001, in accordance with Aero Aire Corporation SB 970002, dated 18 December 1997, within 120 calendar days after the effective date of this Directive. The installation of this kit terminates the requirement for repetitive inspections of the soft-start control assembly.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in civil or criminal consequences. The AD is issued under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, and non-compliance with ADs can lead to significant penalties. Specifically, civil penalties for non-compliance with ADs can include fines up to a maximum of $66,000 for individuals and $330,000 for corporations, as per section 14 of the Civil Aviation Act 1988. Additionally, criminal penalties may apply, which can include imprisonment for up to 2 years for individuals and fines up to $110,000 for corporations under section 13 of the same Act. These stringent measures underscore the importance of adhering to the AD to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the affected helicopters.