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/38 Amdt 2 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.
Compliance: 1. For aircraft that have logged more than 5,000 hours total time in service:
- Within 50 hours time in service after 6 December 2000, unless already accomplished; then a second inspection within 200 hours time in service after the initial inspection is accomplished.
b. Carry out a third inspection within 250 hours time in service after the second inspection is accomplished.
c. Thereafter carry out routine inspections at intervals not to exceed 200 hours time in service following the third inspection.
2. For aircraft that have logged less than 5,000 hours total time in service:
- Within 50 hours time in service after logging 5,000 hours total time in service; then a second inspection within 200 hours time in service after the initial inspection is accomplished.
b. Thereafter carry out routine inspections at intervals not to exceed 200 hours time in service following the second inspection.
The compliance inspection times remain unchanged by this issue. This amendment becomes effective on 27 December 2001.
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
Background: The DGAC received a report of cracks found on the right-hand side in main frame 5295 of a Model AS 332 helicopter.
Amendment 1 defined a second inspection pending terminating action. Amendment 2 required additional inspections including a repetitive inspection.
Amendment 3 is issued in response to a revision of the related DGAC AD which introduces Revision 4 of the Requirement document. This changes applicability, but, not the technical content.
Amendment 2 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 27 June 2001. Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 17 May 2001.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 6 December 2000.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 14 November 2001
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 5 December 2001.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, address the need to ensure the safety of civil aviation operations within Australia. This legislation provides a comprehensive framework for regulating the airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products, ensuring that they meet safety standards to protect the public and promote efficient and safe air travel. Specifically, the Airworthiness Directives, such as the one issued for the Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters, are designed to mandate necessary actions to correct unsafe conditions identified in specific aircraft models. This directive, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, aims to mitigate risks associated with identified structural issues, ensuring that the aircraft remain safe for operation. The policy objective is to enhance aviation safety by enforcing regular inspections and maintenance to prevent potential hazards arising from structural defects.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically under Part 39 - 105, addresses airworthiness directives issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for the Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) series helicopters. This legislation applies to all Eurocopter AS 332 series helicopters registered in Australia and operating within the national airspace, irrespective of their owners or operators. The directive mandates particular inspection intervals to ensure the airworthiness and safety of these aircraft, focusing on the prevention of structural failures such as cracks in the main frame, as evidenced by the report received by the DGAC. Compliance with these directives is compulsory for any operator of the specified helicopter models within Australia's jurisdiction, and failure to adhere to the prescribed inspection schedules may result in legal repercussions. The directive outlines specific inspection timelines based on the total time in service of the aircraft, with detailed requirements for helicopters that have logged more than 5,000 hours and those with less than 5,000 hours. The application of these regulations is comprehensive and leaves no room for exclusions or exemptions, ensuring that all relevant aircraft are subject to the stipulated safety measures.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, under Part 39 - 105, mandate specific requirements for the maintenance and inspection of Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) series helicopters. The Airworthiness Directive (AD) outlines these requirements, which must be followed to ensure the safety of these aircraft. Specifically, section (a) of the AD mandates a sequence of inspections contingent on the total time in service of the aircraft. For helicopters that have logged more than 5,000 hours, an inspection must occur within 50 hours of 6 December 2000 or, if not already performed, within 50 hours after logging 5,000 hours. Following this, a second inspection must be conducted within 200 hours after the initial inspection. A third inspection must then be carried out within 250 hours after the second inspection. Thereafter, routine inspections must be conducted at intervals not exceeding 200 hours following the third inspection. For helicopters with less than 5,000 hours of total time in service, an inspection must occur within 50 hours after logging 5,000 hours, followed by a second inspection within 200 hours after the initial inspection. Subsequent inspections must be performed at intervals not exceeding 200 hours following the second inspection.
This legislation imposes specific obligations on the owners and operators of Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) series helicopters. Operators must ensure that all inspections are performed in accordance with the AD's stipulated timeframes and requirements. The AD requires operators to log inspection details meticulously and maintain records of all inspections performed, ensuring compliance with the mandated intervals. Additionally, operators must ensure that any identified issues are addressed promptly and in accordance with the instructions provided in the AD. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in significant safety risks and potential regulatory action.
Failure to adhere to the provisions of the Airworthiness Directive can lead to serious consequences. The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 stipulate that non-compliance with ADs can result in civil or criminal penalties. Under section 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998, individuals or entities that fail to comply with an AD may face fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. The maximum penalties for non-compliance with ADs can include substantial fines, reflecting the gravity of the potential safety risks. Additionally, non-compliance may result in the grounding of the affected aircraft, further impacting operational continuity and potentially leading to financial losses for the operator.