Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issued Airworthiness Directive AD/S-PUMA/50 on 20 November 2003 under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. This directive applies to Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series helicopters, specifically versions C, C1, L, and L1, that are equipped with Turbomeca Makila 1A or 1A1 engines with electronic control units (ECU) post TU 219 or TU 190 or TU 202. The directive was introduced in response to a safety concern identified by the Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile of France, which found that incorrect adjustment of the anticipator potentiometer could cause engines to change to minimum rating in flight. The primary objective of this directive is to ensure that the potentiometers are correctly adjusted to prevent such unsafe conditions.

Scope and Application

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/S-PUMA/50 issued under 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 Turbomeca Makila 1A or 1A1 engines with electronic control units (ECU) post TU 219 or TU 190 or TU 202. This AD mandates specific actions to address an identified unsafe condition related to the adjustment of the anticipator potentiometer in the engine's ECU. The actions must be undertaken in accordance with the detailed instructions provided in the requirement section, which includes incorporating the “POWER” indicator light check procedures into the Aircraft Flight Manual, performing the specified checks before each flight, and adjusting the anticipator potentiometer as necessary. The compliance timeframes vary depending on the specific requirement, ranging from immediate action before the next flight to adjustments within a 150-hour or two-month period after the initial check. This AD is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and applies across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring that all relevant aircraft within the specified parameters adhere to the outlined safety measures.

Key Provisions

The Airworthiness Directive (AD) specified in F2006B07127 (Legislative instrument) is a crucial legal mandate issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate. It pertains to the airworthiness of Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters equipped with certain Turbomeca Makila engines and electronic control units (ECUs). The AD is issued to address a safety concern identified by the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC) of France, specifically the potential risk of engine performance issues due to incorrect adjustments of the anticipator potentiometer. The AD outlines specific requirements to be met by operators of these helicopters to ensure their safe operation. The AD applies to AS 332 helicopters of versions C, C1, L, and L1, equipped with either Turbomeca Makila 1A or 1A1 engines with ECUs that are post TU 219, TU 190, or TU 202 modifications (Section 1). The requirements specified in the AD are comprehensive and must be adhered to by operators. Firstly, operators must ensure that the “POWER” indicator light check procedures, as specified in paragraph 2.B.1 of Eurocopter Alert Telex 05.00.59 R2, are incorporated into the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) (Section 2(a)). Secondly, the specified “POWER” indicator light check procedures must be performed (Section 2(b)). If the “POWER” indicator light fails during the pre-flight check or any subsequent check, the anticipator potentiometer must be checked and adjusted in accordance with the instructions in paragraph 2.B.2 of the Alert Telex (Section 2(c)). If the anticipator potentiometer has not been previously checked and adjusted, it must be done so in accordance with the same instructions (Section 2(d)). Operators of the affected helicopters are legally obligated to comply with the AD's requirements. This includes updating the AFM to include the specified check procedures, performing the checks as required, and making necessary adjustments to the anticipator potentiometer. The compliance timeline for these actions is stringent, with certain checks and adjustments needing to be performed before the next flight, while others must be completed within specific timeframes or operational intervals (Section 3). Failure to adhere to these requirements can lead to significant safety risks, including the potential for engines to change to minimum rating during flight, which could compromise the safety of the aircraft and its occupants. Non-compliance with the AD can result in severe consequences. While the AD does not explicitly state specific penalties or legal repercussions, it is clear that failure to follow the directives could lead to aircraft being deemed non-airworthy, potentially resulting in grounding of the aircraft. Furthermore, any incidents arising from non-compliance could result in investigations, penalties, or legal action by CASA. Operators must therefore ensure strict adherence to the AD to avoid any such adverse outcomes and to maintain the highest standards of aviation safety.