COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY
SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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.
Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters
AD/S-PUMA/44 Rescue Hoist 13/2002 DM
Applicability: Model AS 332 helicopters equipped with a Breeze Eastern Aerospace rescue hoist series BL-16600, excluding BL-16600-160.
Requirement: Perform a one-time inspection of the rescue hoist mounting bracket in accordance with Breeze Eastern Customer Aerospace Advisory Bulletin CAB-100-56, dated 11 November 1997.
Note: FAA AD 2002-20-05 Amdt 39-12901 refers.
Compliance: Before the next usage of the rescue hoist after 6 November 2002, unless already accomplished.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 6 November 2002.
Background: The FAA received reports of cracked rescue hoist mounting brackets. Such cracking could result in mounting bracket failure and separation of the rescue hoist from the helicopter.
David Alan Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 1 November 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 6 November 2002.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) were enacted to regulate and oversee civil aviation safety in Australia, ensuring that air operations within the country meet stringent safety standards. The legislation was introduced to address the need for comprehensive regulation of civil aviation, covering areas such as airworthiness, licensing, and operational safety to mitigate risks associated with air travel. This Act was passed by the Australian Parliament and is administered by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). The policy objective of the CAR 1998 is to maintain the highest possible level of safety in civil aviation by setting and enforcing safety standards, and by ensuring compliance through regular audits and directives. The legislative instrument F2006B07120, an Airworthiness Directive (AD) specifically for the Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters, is a prime example of the CAR 1998 in action, addressing a specific safety issue identified with the rescue hoist mounting bracket of the affected helicopters.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 specifically applies to Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) series helicopters equipped with a Breeze Eastern Aerospace rescue hoist series BL-16600, excluding the BL-16600-160 variant. This directive mandates a one-time inspection of the rescue hoist mounting bracket in accordance with the instructions outlined in Breeze Eastern Customer Aerospace Advisory Bulletin CAB-100-56, dated 11 November 1997. The directive requires this inspection to be performed before the next usage of the rescue hoist after 6 November 2002, unless the inspection has already been completed. The directive becomes effective from 6 November 2002 and is applicable across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all relevant operators and aircraft owners comply with the specified safety measures to prevent potential failures that could lead to catastrophic incidents during rescue operations.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of this Airworthiness Directive (AD) under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (CAR 1998) include the applicability (1), requirement (2), and compliance (3) sections. The applicability section specifies that the directive applies to Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series helicopters equipped with a Breeze Eastern Aerospace rescue hoist series BL-16600, excluding BL-16600-160. The requirement section mandates a one-time inspection of the rescue hoist mounting bracket in accordance with Breeze Eastern Customer Aerospace Advisory Bulletin CAB-100-56, dated 11 November 1997. The compliance section requires that this inspection be performed before the next usage of the rescue hoist after 6 November 2002, unless it has already been accomplished.
The AD imposes obligations on the parties or entities it governs, primarily focusing on the inspection and maintenance of the rescue hoist mounting brackets on specified helicopters. Operators and owners of the affected helicopters must ensure that the inspection is performed in accordance with the instructions provided by the Breeze Eastern Customer Aerospace Advisory Bulletin CAB-100-56. This involves checking the mounting bracket for any signs of cracking or other defects that could compromise the safety of the rescue hoist operation. The AD is effective from 6 November 2002, and compliance must be achieved before the next usage of the rescue hoist after this date, unless the inspection has already been completed.
In terms of consequences for non-compliance, the AD does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences. However, failure to comply with ADs is generally considered a breach of aviation safety regulations and can result in severe consequences, including the grounding of the aircraft, enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), and potential legal proceedings. Operators and owners who do not adhere to the requirements of this AD risk compromising the safety of their operations and potentially facing significant fines or other penalties under aviation safety laws.