Commonwealth legislation

AD/AS 355/68 - "TRW-SAMM" Main Servocontrols

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Commonwealth

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legislative instrument

Plain English Summary

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This Airworthiness Directive orders removal and return of specific TRW‑SAMM main servocontrols (P/N SC 8042 or SC 8043) fitted to Eurocopter AS 355 F/F1/F2/N helicopters if those units were last overhauled or repaired at Hawker Pacific (USA) before 1 March 2002. Operators and maintenance organisations must send affected units to Hawker Pacific for thread-condition and torque checks within staged deadlines tied to hours since overhaul or before fitment.

The measure addresses an identified incorrect torque on the end fitting that can cause thread failure and separation of the upper‑end fitting, risking loss of control; compliance imposes inspection, removal, and logistical costs on operators and maintenance providers.

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AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

View image in the official source

View image in the official source
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 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters

AD/AS 355/68 “TRW-SAMM” Main Servocontro

AD/AS 355/68 “TRW-SAMM” Main Servocontrols 10/2002

Applicability: AS 355 helicopters version F, F1, F2, and N equipped with “TRW-SAMM’ main servocontrols Part Number (P/N) SC 8042 or SC 8043 which underwent their last complete overhaul or repair since overhaul at “HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE’, USA before March 1 2002.

Requirement: Remove the servocontrols and return them to “HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE” for a check of the thread condition and application torque as required in Eurocopter AS 355 Alert Telex No. 67.00.23.

Note: DGAC 2002-315-069(A).

Compliance: 1. For servocontrols held as spares; prior to fitment to an aircraft.

2. For servocontrols that have been in service for less than 1000 flight hours since overhaul; within 550 flight hours or 3 October 2003, whichever comes first.

3. For servocontrols that have been in service between 1000 and 1300 flight hours since overhaul; prior to 1550 flight hours or 3 July 2003, whichever comes first.
4. For servocontrols that have been in service for more than 1300 flight hours since overhaul; within 250 flight hours or 3 March 2003 whichever comes first.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 October 2002.

Background: An incorrect torque loading was found to have been applied to the end fitting that attaches the servocontrol cylinder to the upper ball end fitting. The incorrect torque may lead to failure of the threads on the fitting, leading to separation of the upper-end fitting and result in loss of control of the helicopter.

View image in the official source

James Coyne

View image in the official source
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 August 2002

The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 September 2002.

Source text

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation (legislation.gov.au), CC BY 4.0.

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

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 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters

AD/AS 355/68 “TRW-SAMM” Main Servocontro AD/AS 355/68 “TRW-SAMM” Main Servocontrols 10/2002

AD/AS 355/68 “TRW-SAMM” Main Servocontrols 10/2002

Note: DGAC 2002-315-069(A).

Compliance: 1. For servocontrols held as spares; prior to fitment to an aircraft.

2. For servocontrols that have been in service for less than 1000 flight hours since overhaul; within 550 flight hours or 3 October 2003, whichever comes first.

3. For servocontrols that have been in service between 1000 and 1300 flight hours since overhaul; prior to 1550 flight hours or 3 July 2003, whichever comes first.
4. For servocontrols that have been in service for more than 1300 flight hours since overhaul; within 250 flight hours or 3 March 2003 whichever comes first.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 October 2002.

James Coyne

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 August 2002