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 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-PUMA/37 Ferry Fuel Tanks 9/2000 DM
Applicability: AS 332 C, C1, L, L1 and L2 helicopters, metal ferry fuel tanks, part number 330A 871310.00, .01, .02, .03 and .04.
Requirement: 1. For installed metal ferry fuel tanks - Electrically bond the fuel tanks in accordance with paragraph C.C of Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.44 dated 6 June 2000.
2. For metal ferry fuel tanks that are not installed - Electrically bond the fuel tanks in accordance with paragraph C.C of Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.44 dated 6 June 2000.
Note: DGAC AD 2000-302(A).
Compliance: For Requirement 1 - Before the next refuelling of the ferry fuel tank after the effective date of this Directive.
For Requirement 2 - Before installation of the ferry fuel tank. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 26 July 2000.
Background: The French Direction Generale de L’Aviation Civile has advised that an electrostatic ground connector on several ferry fuel tanks was not electrically bonded to its support. During refuelling of a tank, the absence of this electrical bonding could generate an electrical arc between the refuelling nozzle of the tanker and the fuel tank causing the fuel tank to explode.
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 issues related to airworthiness and safety in civil aviation. This legislation is critical in ensuring that aircraft and aeronautical products meet safety standards to prevent accidents and incidents. In particular, Part 39 of these regulations focuses on issuing Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to address identified safety issues. The AD in question, issued on 26 July 2000 by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), pertains to Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters. The directive aims to mitigate the risk of fuel tank explosions caused by electrostatic discharge during refuelling by requiring the electrical bonding of ferry fuel tanks. This action is necessary to ensure compliance with safety standards and to prevent unsafe conditions that could result in catastrophic outcomes. The AD was issued in response to information from the French Direction Generale de L’Aviation Civile highlighting a potential safety issue with ferry fuel tanks not being electrically bonded, which could lead to fuel tank explosions during refuelling.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, govern the airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the legislative instrument F2006B07114. This particular Airworthiness Directive, AD/S-PUMA/37, applies to AS 332 C, C1, L, L1, and L2 helicopters equipped with specific metal ferry fuel tanks, identified by part numbers 330A 871310.00,.01,.02,.03, and.04. The directive mandates the electrical bonding of these ferry fuel tanks to prevent potential electrostatic discharges during refuelling, which could result in an explosion. Compliance with the directive requires that installed tanks be bonded before the next refuelling, while un-installed tanks must be bonded prior to installation. This directive is issued under the authority of the CASA delegate, effective from 26 July 2000, and follows similar action taken by the French Direction Generale de L’Aviation Civile, as referenced in DGAC AD 2000-302(A).
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998), specifically within Part 39 - 105, addresses the safety concerns of certain Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) series helicopters. This directive pertains to metal ferry fuel tanks with specific part numbers, namely 330A 871310.00,.01,.02,.03, and.04 (Applicability section). The AD mandates that these tanks be electrically bonded in accordance with the instructions outlined in paragraph C.C of Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.44 dated 6 June 2000 (Requirement section). This bonding must be performed both on installed tanks before the next refuelling and on un-installed tanks before installation (Compliance section). The directive became effective on 26 July 2000.
The AD imposes clear obligations on the owners or operators of the affected helicopters. They are required to ensure that the electrically bonding of the specified ferry fuel tanks is carried out before the next refuelling if the tanks are already installed, or before the tanks are installed if they are new (Requirement section). This requirement is detailed in the AD, mandating adherence to the specific method of bonding outlined in the Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.44 dated 6 June 2000. The directive emphasises the importance of these safety measures to prevent potential hazards such as fuel tank explosions due to electrical arcs during refuelling.
Failure to comply with the AD can result in significant consequences. The AD outlines that non-compliance with the specified requirements can lead to the unsafe condition not being addressed, thereby increasing the risk of an electrical arc and potential fuel tank explosion. The AD does not explicitly state penalties within its text, but non-compliance with Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 can generally lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include administrative penalties, enforcement notices, or in severe cases, the grounding of the aircraft until compliance is achieved. Ensuring adherence to this AD is crucial for maintaining the safety and airworthiness of the helicopters in question.