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
AD/S-PUMA/7
Amdt 1
Electrical Cabinet Cover Panel 13/92
Applicability: All AS 322 helicopters versions B, B1, C, C1, L, L1, M, M1 and F1 fitted with an electrical cabinet cover panel, as identified in Eurocopter France AS 332 Service Bulletin No 01.31 R1.
Requirement: Action in accordance with Eurocopter France AS 332 Service Bulletin No 01.31 R1 either paragraph 1C(1) or 1C(2) as appropriate.
Note: DGAC AD 91-249-047 (B) R1 refers.
Compliance: Before further flight after 20 December 1992 and thereafter each time the panel is removed/installed or replaced.
Note: Initial inspection of the cover panel is not required if the cover panel was inspected in accordance with the requirements of the original issue of this Directive. Repetitive inspections are still required.
Background: Reports have been received of interference between panel attachment screws and wiring causing short circuits, which in one case resulted in a fire. Compliance with this Directive will prevent interference between the panel screws and wiring occurring. The original issue of this Directive only identified cover panels, that had been modified as per drawing 332A.MR.0179, to be inspected. This amendment is issued following a revision to the service documentation which identified an additional type of cover panel that may be affected.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Australian Government, is a comprehensive set of rules governing all aspects of civil aviation within Australia. This legislation aims to ensure the safety and efficiency of civil aviation operations, including the maintenance and airworthiness of aircraft. One specific regulation under PART 39 - 105 addresses the safety directives for certain Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) series helicopters. The regulation, AD/S-PUMA/7 Amendment 1, was introduced to address the issue of interference between panel attachment screws and wiring that could potentially cause short circuits, with a reported incident resulting in a fire. The objective of this directive is to mandate actions in accordance with Eurocopter France's service bulletin to prevent such interference, thereby enhancing the safety of the aircraft and its operations.
The regulation specifies that the directive applies to all AS 322 helicopter versions B, B1, C, C1, L, L1, M, M1, and F1 equipped with an electrical cabinet cover panel, as identified in Eurocopter France's Service Bulletin No 01.31 R1. It requires compliance before further flight after 20 December 1992 and subsequently each time the panel is removed, installed, or replaced. The directive also notes that while an initial inspection of the cover panel is not required if it was inspected under the original issue of the directive, repetitive inspections are still mandated. This legislative instrument underscores the commitment of the Australian Government to ensuring the highest standards of aviation safety through detailed and specific regulatory measures.
Scope and Application
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, governs the airworthiness directives for civil aviation safety in Australia. This particular directive, AD/S-PUMA/7 Amendment 1, applies to all Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) series helicopters, specifically versions B, B1, C, C1, L, L1, M, M1, and F1, that are fitted with an electrical cabinet cover panel as identified in Eurocopter France AS 332 Service Bulletin No 01.31 R1. The directive mandates actions in accordance with the aforementioned service bulletin to address reported issues of interference between panel attachment screws and wiring that can cause short circuits, potentially leading to fires. Compliance with this directive is required before further flight after 20 December 1992 and whenever the panel is removed, installed, or replaced. It is important to note that while an initial inspection of the cover panel is not required if it was inspected according to the original directive, repetitive inspections remain mandatory. This amendment extends to all relevant helicopters within Australia's jurisdiction, ensuring safety standards are uniformly upheld.
Key Provisions
The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105, addresses the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Schedule of Airworthiness Directives for the Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters. Within this, AD/S-PUMA/7Amdt 1 pertains to the Electrical Cabinet Cover Panel and applies to all AS 322 helicopter versions B, B1, C, C1, L, L1, M, M1 and F1 that are equipped with an electrical cabinet cover panel as identified in Eurocopter France AS 332 Service Bulletin No 01.31 R1. The directive requires action in accordance with the specified service bulletin, either paragraph 1C(1) or 1C(2), as appropriate.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the operators and owners of the affected helicopters. They are required to ensure that the action specified in the service bulletin is taken either before the next flight after 20 December 1992 or before the next time the panel is removed, installed, or replaced. The initial inspection of the cover panel is not necessary if it has already been inspected according to the original issue of this Directive; however, repetitive inspections are still mandatory. This directive is linked to DGAC AD 91-249-047 (B) R1, which further contextualises the directive's importance.
Failure to comply with this directive can result in various consequences. The primary concern is the risk of short circuits caused by interference between the panel attachment screws and the wiring, which could lead to a fire, as evidenced by past reports. Operators and owners who fail to adhere to these regulations risk not only the safety of the flight but also potential civil and criminal penalties. The exact penalties for non-compliance are not specified within the text, but generally, violations of Civil Aviation Regulations can result in substantial fines and other regulatory actions by CASA.