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 revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/S-76/65 Amdt 3 and issues the following 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-76/65
Amdt 4
Main Rotor Shaft 3/2001
Applicability: Model S-76A, S-76B, and S-76C helicopters, with main rotor shaft assembly part number 76351-09030 series or 76351-09630 series installed.
Requirement: Action in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 76-66-32.
Note 1: The fluorescent penetrant inspection specified in the Requirement document is not the fluorescent penetrant inspection contained in paragraph 4 of Chapter 20- 05-00 of the applicable maintenance manual.
Note 2: FAA Emergency AD 2001-03-51 refers.
Compliance: 1. Main Gear Box Assemblies containing a listed serial number 76351-09030-044 main rotor shaft specified in the Requirement document, are to be replaced before further flight after 18 January 2001, unless already accomplished.
2. Main Gear Box Assemblies containing a listed serial number 76351-09630-041 main rotor shaft specified in the Requirement document, with less than 1,000 hours time in service , are to continue the recurring Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) previously required by ASB 76-66-31 Revision B. The FPI is to be accomplished every 20 flight hours or every 80 flights, whichever occurs first. A take-off and landing constitutes one flight. This interval begins after the last previously conducted FPI in accordance with ASB 76-66-31 Revision B.
Note 3: The daily 10x visual inspection is no longer required for these main gear box assemblies.
3. Main Gear Box Assemblies containing a listed serial number 76351-09630-041 main rotor shaft specified in the Requirement document, with more than 1,000 hours time in service, are to be replaced before further flight after 18 January 2001.
This amendment becomes effective on 22 March 2001.
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 a cracked main rotor shaft assembly, found during an inspection of the main transmission oil seal. The shaft had accrued 477 hours time in service when the crack was found. A cracked main rotor shaft assembly could result in failure of the shaft assembly and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Amendment 1 required repeat visual and NDI inspections. Additionally, the FAA has determined that certain shafts must be removed from service because the three cracked shafts discovered so far came from the same manufacturing lot.
Amendment 2 was a re-issue of amendment 1 due to a gazette administration issue.
Amendment 3 introduced the latest revision of the Requirement document which isolated certain main rotor shafts for further inspection and replacement.
Amendment 4 is issued to reference the related FAA AD.
Amendment 3 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 18 January 2001.
Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 13 November 2000.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 7 November 2000.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 9 February 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 21 February 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety of civil aviation operations in Australia. This legislation was enacted to ensure that aircraft and aeronautical products meet the required safety standards, thereby protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the aviation industry. One of the key components of this regulation is the issuance of Airworthiness Directives (ADs) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These ADs are crucial for addressing identified safety issues and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The AD for the Sikorsky S-76 Series Helicopters, specifically AD/S-76/65 Amendment 4, was introduced to address the issue of cracked main rotor shafts, which could potentially lead to catastrophic failures during flight. The directive mandates specific actions to be taken to mitigate this risk, including the replacement or inspection of certain main rotor shafts, ensuring that these helicopters can be operated safely. This amendment reflects the commitment of CASA to continuously update and refine safety measures based on emerging data and identified hazards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under PART 39 - 105, mandates the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the safety of civil aviation. This particular AD applies to Sikorsky S-76 Series helicopters, including models S-76A, S-76B, and S-76C, that have main rotor shaft assemblies with part numbers 76351-09030 series or 76351-09630 series installed. The directive is applicable nationally, enforcing compliance across all states and territories within Australia. The AD outlines specific requirements for addressing safety concerns related to the main rotor shaft assemblies, including replacement or continued inspection intervals based on the service hours of the shaft. The directive was issued following reports of cracked main rotor shafts that posed a significant risk of in-flight failure. The AD does not specify exclusions or exemptions but mandates strict compliance with the outlined instructions to mitigate safety risks. The effectiveness and enforcement of this AD are further governed by the broader regulatory framework of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, with potential for amendments and extensions through subordinate instruments as necessary.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, Part 39 - 105, details the Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the Sikorsky S-76 series helicopters, specifically targeting the main rotor shaft assembly. Section 39.1 (1) of the CAR 1998 empowers the delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue such directives. This AD mandates specific actions to be taken in relation to certain S-76A, S-76B, and S-76C helicopters that have main rotor shaft assemblies with part numbers 76351-09030 series or 76351-09630 series. These actions are outlined in the requirement section and must be carried out under the conditions specified in the compliance section.
The obligations imposed by this AD include the replacement of certain main gear box assemblies before further flight. For main gear box assemblies with a specific serial number 76351-09030-044, they must be replaced before any flight following 18 January 2001 if not already replaced. For those with serial number 76351-09630-041 and less than 1,000 hours of time in service, recurring Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) must be performed every 20 flight hours or every 80 flights, whichever comes first. This inspection interval starts after the last FPI conducted in accordance with ASB 76-66-31 Revision B. For main gear box assemblies with serial number 76351-09630-041 and more than 1,000 hours of time in service, replacement before further flight after 18 January 2001 is required. It is also noted that the daily 10x visual inspection is no longer required for these main gear box assemblies.
Failure to comply with the AD may result in severe consequences. While specific penalties are not detailed in the AD itself, non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations can lead to both civil and criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. The severity of the penalty will depend on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, as well as any resultant harm or risk of harm. Operators must ensure they adhere strictly to the AD to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft and avoid these potential legal repercussions.