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
AD/S-PUMA/31
Amdt 1
Tail Rotor Blade De-icing Rotating Collector 13/99
Applicability: Model AS 332 helicopters versions C, C1, L, and L1, equipped with a TGB fitted with a tail rotor blade de-icing rotating collector part number 110-265-201.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Eurocopter Service Bulletin 05.00.45 R1 paragraph 2.B.
Note: DGAC AD 1998-155-069 (A) R1 refers.
Compliance: Within 100 hours time in service or 6 months after 16 July 1998, whichever occurs first; thereafter at intervals not to exceed 110 hours time in service or 6 months, whichever occurs first.
This Amendment becomes effective on 30 December 1999.
Background: A report was received of excessive play found on the tail rotor blade de-icing rotating collector. The actions required by this Directive are intended to prevent damage to the bearings and rotation of the fixed part of the collector.
Amendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the Requirement document and the related DGAC AD which introduce revised inspection requirements.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 16 July 1998.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Parliament, aim to regulate the safety standards and operational protocols within the aviation industry. Specifically, Part 39 - 105 addresses Airworthiness Directives for aircraft, including the Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters. This legislation was introduced to address safety concerns associated with the tail rotor blade de-icing rotating collector on certain models of helicopters. The policy objective is to ensure that these aircraft maintain airworthiness and safety by adhering to specific maintenance and inspection requirements. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued this directive to mitigate risks such as excessive play in the tail rotor blade de-icing rotating collector, which could lead to damage and compromise the safety of the aircraft. Compliance with these directives is mandatory, with specified intervals for inspection and maintenance to be performed to prevent potential safety hazards.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, applies to the Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) series helicopters, namely versions C, C1, L, and L1, which are equipped with a Tail Rotor Blade De-icing Rotating Collector part number 110-265-201. This regulation mandates the action in accordance with Eurocopter Service Bulletin 05.00.45 R1 paragraph 2.B, and references DGAC AD 1998-155-069 (A) R1. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure the safety of these specific helicopter models by addressing issues related to excessive play on the tail rotor blade de-icing rotating collector, thereby preventing damage to the bearings and ensuring the proper rotation of the fixed part of the collector. Compliance with these directives is required within 100 hours of time in service or six months after 16 July 1998, whichever comes first, and subsequently at intervals not exceeding 110 hours of time in service or six months. This regulation is effective from 30 December 1999.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, includes an Airworthiness Directive (AD) concerning the Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) series helicopters, identified as AD/S-PUMA/31 Amendment 1 (13/99). This directive pertains to the tail rotor blade de-icing rotating collector of the AS 332 helicopter models C, C1, L, and L1, which are equipped with a specific tail rotor blade de-icing rotating collector part number 110-265-201 (Section 13/99). The directive mandates compliance with Eurocopter Service Bulletin 05.00.45 R1, paragraph 2.B, and references DGAC AD 1998-155-069 (A) R1. The directive requires that the actions be taken within a specified timeframe to ensure the safety and airworthiness of the helicopters.
The obligations imposed by this directive are clear and precise. Operators of the affected AS 332 helicopters must ensure that the tail rotor blade de-icing rotating collector is inspected and maintained according to the specified requirements. Compliance must be achieved within 100 hours of time in service or within six months from 16 July 1998, whichever comes first. Subsequent inspections must occur at intervals not exceeding 110 hours of time in service or six months, whichever is sooner (Section 13/99). These periodic inspections and maintenance actions are crucial to prevent excessive play in the tail rotor blade de-icing rotating collector, which could lead to damage to the bearings and improper rotation of the fixed part of the collector.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Airworthiness Directive may result in severe consequences. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces these regulations rigorously, and non-compliance can lead to enforcement actions. While specific penalties are not detailed in the text, non-compliance with airworthiness directives generally can result in significant civil or criminal penalties. These may include fines, suspension or revocation of the aircraft's airworthiness certificate, and potential criminal charges if the non-compliance leads to an accident or endangers public safety. The directive aims to ensure the continued safety and operational reliability of the affected helicopters.