AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD)
AD/S-PUMA/28 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.
Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters
AD/S-PUMA/28
Amdt 4
Engine to Main Gearbox Coupling 5/2002
Applicability: All Eurocopter AS 332C, C1, L and L1 Super Puma helicopters.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Eurocopter AS332 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No.
63.00.58 Revision 4, paragraph 2B (1 to 8).
Note: DGAC 1999-257-074 (A)R5 refers.
Compliance: As detailed in the Requirement document.
This amendment becomes effective on 16 May 2002.
Background: This Directive was originally issued to address reports of engine to main gearbox coupling failures. Coupling failure was identified as a cause of an AS332L1 accident in the North Sea in September 1997.
This amendment reflects Revision 4 of Service Bulletin 63.00.58. The revision, in part, cancels the requirement to carry out a vibration check on aircraft incorporating mod 0726197 (TU215) and mod 0752318, the new splined coupling.
Amendment 3 was issued to cancel the 25 hour vibration level check for aircraft modified in accordance with MOD 0726070 or 0726075 (Turbomeca Mod TU 203 refers).
Amendment 2 was issued to further limits the inspection to certain coupling shafts and redefines the compliance requirements.
Amendment 1 refined the original issue directive and stated steady state inspection requirements for the engine to main gearbox coupling.
Amendment 3 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 13 July 2000. Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 7 October 1999.
Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters
AD/S-PUMA/28 Amdt 4 (Continued)
The original issue of this Directive became effective on 10 October 1997.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 March 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 April 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/S-PUMA/28 Amdt 4 in 2002 to address the safety concern of engine to main gearbox coupling failures in Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters. This AD, enacted by the CASA delegate, revokes previous amendments and mandates specific actions as outlined in the directive to mitigate the unsafe condition identified through incident reports, including a notable accident in the North Sea in September 1997. The policy objective of this directive is to enhance the airworthiness and safety of the affected aircraft by enforcing necessary modifications and inspections as detailed in Eurocopter's Alert Service Bulletin No. 63.00.58 Revision 4. The directive applies to all Eurocopter AS 332C, C1, L, and L1 Super Puma helicopters, requiring compliance with the specified actions to ensure continued safe operation.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive AD/S-PUMA/28 Amdt 4, issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, applies specifically to all Eurocopter AS 332C, C1, L, and L1 Super Puma helicopters. This directive mandates corrective actions to address the identified unsafe condition of engine to main gearbox coupling failures, which were highlighted following an accident in the North Sea in September 1997. The requirement for compliance with this directive is outlined in Eurocopter AS332 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 63.00.58 Revision 4, paragraph 2B (1 to 8), and the directive becomes effective on 16 May 2002. Compliance with this directive is essential for maintaining the airworthiness of the specified helicopters, ensuring they meet safety standards set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This legislative instrument is applicable nationally within the Commonwealth of Australia and its issuance was notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 April 2002.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/S-PUMA/28 Amdt 4 specifically applies to all Eurocopter AS 332C, C1, L, and L1 Super Puma helicopters (s.1). The directive mandates that actions be taken according to Eurocopter's Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No.63.00.58 Revision 4, paragraphs 2B (1 to 8), in order to address issues related to engine to main gearbox coupling failures (s.2). The directive notes that DGAC 1999-257-074 (A)R5 is referenced in this context (s.2). Compliance with this directive must be in accordance with the requirements detailed in the ASB, and it became effective on 16 May 2002 (s.3).
Operators of Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series helicopters are obligated to follow the specific requirements outlined in ASB No.63.00.58 Revision 4, ensuring that any necessary actions are completed as per the directive. This includes adhering to the outlined procedures for engine to main gearbox coupling inspections and modifications, as specified in the ASB. Operators must also ensure that their compliance is documented and that any modifications or inspections are carried out by qualified personnel in accordance with the AD's stipulations.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this AD may result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy, which could lead to grounding and potential legal consequences. While the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the AD, general regulations under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 can impose fines and other penalties for breaches of airworthiness directives. The severity of the penalty may depend on the extent of non-compliance and the risk posed to aviation safety.