AD/S-PUMA/43 Amdt 2 - Ferry Tank Attachment

Overview

The Airworthiness Directive AD/S-PUMA/43 Amdt 2, issued under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (CASR 1998) by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) in 2004, addresses a safety concern regarding ferry tank attachments on specific Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters. This directive was enacted in response to a reported incident where a ferry tank was torn from its attachment during a hard landing, which highlighted a potential unsafe condition. The policy objective of the directive is to mandate a limit on ferry tank refuelling to 328 kg per tank to prevent similar incidents, ensuring the continued airworthiness of the affected aircraft. The directive applies to AS 332 helicopters, versions C, C1, L, and L1, that are equipped with ferry tanks pre-modification 0726279 or before compliance with certain service bulletins or technical directives. The directive became effective on 25 November 2004, with compliance required in accordance with the specified instructions and timeframes.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/S-PUMA/43 Amdt 2, issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, applies specifically to Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series helicopters, versions C, C1, L, and L1, that are equipped with ferry tanks pre-modification 0726279 or before compliance with Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 53.01.37, 53.01.38, or Technical Directive No. 53.91.35. The directive mandates a limit on ferry tank refuelling to 328 kg per tank in accordance with instructions specified in Eurocopter AS 332 Alert Service Bulletin No. 01.00.67, while noting that the limitation does not apply to the fifth fuel tank located in the rear of the helicopter. This directive became effective on 25 November 2004, with no change in the original compliance time, which was effective from 23 October 2002. The directive was issued in response to a reported incident of a hard landing during which a ferry tank was torn from its attachment on the baggage compartment floor, as referenced by DGAC AD F-2002-508 R2. This AD applies throughout the Commonwealth of Australia, as notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 3 November 2004.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) are the applicability, requirement, and compliance sections. The applicability section (2) specifies that the directive applies to Eurocopter AS 332 helicopters, specifically versions C, C1, L, and L1, which are equipped with ferry tanks pre-modification 0726279 or before compliance with Eurocopter AS 332 Service Bulletin No. 53.01.37 or SB 53.01.38, or Technical Directive No. 53.91.35. It is important to note that this directive does not apply to the fifth fuel tank located in the rear of the helicopter. The requirement section (3) mandates that ferry tank refuelling be limited to 328 kg per tank, in accordance with the instructions specified in paragraph 2.B. of Eurocopter AS 332 Alert Service Bulletin No.01.00.67. The compliance section (4) states that the AD became effective on 23 October 2002, and this amendment became effective on 25 November 2004. The AD imposes specific obligations and requirements on the parties or entities it governs. Operators of the affected helicopters must ensure that ferry tank refuelling is limited to 328 kg per tank, in compliance with the instructions in the specified Alert Service Bulletin. This involves adhering to the specified weight limit and following the detailed refuelling instructions to mitigate the risk of the ferry tanks becoming detached during operation. Operators must also ensure that their maintenance and operational procedures align with the requirements of the AD and the referenced service bulletins. Breach of the AD or failure to comply with its requirements may result in civil or criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not stated in the AD itself, under the Civil Aviation Act 1988 and the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, non-compliance with an Airworthiness Directive can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). These actions may include fines, suspension or revocation of air operator certificates, and other regulatory penalties. Operators found in breach of the AD may also face legal action, including prosecution, which could result in substantial fines and imprisonment for individuals responsible for the non-compliance.