COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) 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-PUMA/30 Amdt 1 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-PUMA/30
Amdt 2
Tail Rotor Gearbox (TGB) Angular Play Check
9/2001
Applicability: All Eurocopter AS 332 versions C, C1, L, and L1 helicopters fitted with TGB Part Number (P/N) 332A33-0001, all dash numbers.
Requirement: 1. Check the angular play of the TGB in accordance with the instructions contained in paragraph 2B of Eurocopter AS332 Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.44, Revision 1.
2. If the play measurement found during compliance with Requirement 1 of this Directive is greater than 0.44mm and less than 0.75mm, comply with the instructions of paragraph 2B(2) or paragraph 2B(3) of ASB No. 05.00.44, Revision 1.
3. If the play measurement found during compliance with Requirement 1 of this Directive is equal to or greater than 0.75mm, remove and replace the TGB as per MET work card No. 64.20.00.401.
Note: DGAC AD 1997-322-067 (A) R2 dated 21 February 2001 refers.
Compliance: 1. (a) For TGBs that have been in service for more than 495 hours since new, or since last overhaul:
Unless previously accomplished, within 25 hours time in service (TIS) of the effective date of this Directive (original issue) and thereafter at intervals of no more than 520 flying hours.
(b) For TGBs that have been in service for less than 495 hours since new or since last overhaul:
At 520 flying hours since new or last overhaul and thereafter at intervals of no more than 520 flying hours.
(d) For spare gearboxes that have operated more than 495 flight hours since new or last overhaul:
At or prior to installation on an aircraft and thereafter at intervals of no more than 520 flying hours following installation.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
2. At 100 flying hour intervals.
3. Prior to further flight.
This Amendment becomes effective on 6 September 2001.
Background: The measures in this Directive resulted from investigation into an accident involving a SA330, which lost drive to the tail rotor due to worn splines on the bevel wheel and on the tail rotor drive shaft.
This Amendment updates the reference SB revision status, revises the wear limits and compliance intervals.
Amendment 1 clarified the applicability and compliance requirements. Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 20 May 1999.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 6 November 1997.
Eugene Paul Holzapfel
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 July 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 15 August 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, is the primary legislation governing civil aviation safety within Australia. This regulation was introduced to ensure that the operation of aircraft is conducted with the utmost safety and efficiency, addressing the need for a cohesive legal framework to oversee the nation's civil aviation industry. This legislative instrument is overseen by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is responsible for ensuring compliance with the regulations. The policy objective of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 is to maintain the highest standards of safety and efficiency in the operation of civil aircraft. One specific instance of this regulation in action is the Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/S-PUMA/30 Amdt 2, which pertains to the Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters. This AD was issued in response to an accident where a helicopter lost drive to the tail rotor due to worn splines, leading to the implementation of strict checks and maintenance requirements for the tail rotor gearbox.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, as amended, applies to all Eurocopter AS 332 versions C, C1, L, and L1 helicopters equipped with Tail Rotor Gearbox (TGB) Part Number 332A33-0001, regardless of their dash numbers. This legislative instrument is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and pertains specifically to the maintenance and inspection of the TGB to ensure airworthiness. The regulation sets out the requirements for checking and potentially replacing the TGB to prevent unsafe conditions that could lead to accidents. The geographic reach of this regulation is national, applying across all states and territories within Australia. The compliance intervals for inspection and potential replacement of the TGB vary based on the number of flight hours since the gearbox was new or last overhauled, ensuring that maintenance is conducted at appropriate intervals to maintain safety standards. The regulation also allows for extensions or restrictions through subordinate instruments, providing flexibility in its application.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105, establish a schedule of airworthiness directives, with a focus on ensuring the safe operation of aircraft. Specifically, Airworthiness Directive AD/S-PUMA/30 Amdt 2 targets the Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters and addresses issues with the Tail Rotor Gearbox (TGB). Section 39.1(1) allows the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to issue such directives to correct unsafe conditions. This directive applies to all Eurocopter AS 332 versions C, C1, L, and L1 helicopters equipped with the TGB part number 332A33-0001, all dash numbers (Section Applicability).
The main requirements outlined in the directive mandate that operators check the angular play of the TGB in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.44, Revision 1, paragraph 2B. If the measured play is greater than 0.44mm but less than 0.75mm, the operator must follow the instructions in paragraph 2B(2) or paragraph 2B(3) of the same bulletin. If the play is equal to or greater than 0.75mm, the TGB must be removed and replaced as per MET work card No. 64.20.00.401. These requirements are aimed at ensuring that the TGB operates within safe limits to prevent accidents similar to the one investigated, which involved a loss of drive to the tail rotor due to worn splines.
Operators and aircraft owners have specific obligations under this directive. They must ensure that the TGB angular play checks are performed at specified intervals, depending on the service hours of the gearbox. For gearboxes that have been in service for more than 495 hours since new or since the last overhaul, checks must be made within 25 hours of the directive's effective date and thereafter at intervals of no more than 520 flying hours. For gearboxes in service for less than 495 hours since new or last overhaul, checks should occur at 520 flying hours since new or last overhaul and thereafter at intervals of no more than 520 flying hours. Spare gearboxes that have operated more than 495 flight hours since new or last overhaul must be checked at or before installation on an aircraft and thereafter at intervals of no more than 520 flying hours following installation. Additionally, checks are required at 100-hour flying intervals and before further flight.
Failure to comply with the Airworthiness Directive can result in significant consequences. Although the specific penalties for non-compliance are not detailed in the legislative instrument, under the Civil Aviation Act 1988, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties can include fines, while criminal penalties may include imprisonment, reflecting the serious nature of ensuring air safety. The exact penalties are determined by the relevant courts and are intended to enforce strict adherence to airworthiness standards.