Commonwealth legislation

AD/ECUREUIL/99 - Lateral Cargo Hold Doors

RepealedCTH

This Act has been repealed and is no longer in force. It is retained for historical reference.

Jurisdiction

Commonwealth

Collection

legislative instrument

Plain English Summary

2/10 complexity

This directive orders owners and operators of EC 130 B4 helicopters to take immediate safety action to prevent cargo doors from flying open during flight.

What you must do: Before every flight after 14 May 2004, you must engage the key-lock mechanism on the centre locks of both left and right side cargo hold doors, following the specific instructions in Eurocopter's Alert Telex No. 04A001.

Why this matters: During testing, the centre lock on one of these doors opened by itself in flight. If this happens combined with wind pressure, the door could break off entirely, creating a serious safety hazard for people and property below.

Who this affects: Anyone operating EC 130 B4 helicopters (also known as Eurocopter AS 350 Ecureuil series).

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Current sections

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AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

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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 CASR 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.

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Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters

AD/ECUREUIL/99 Lateral Cargo Hold Doors

AD/ECUREUIL/99 Lateral Cargo Hold Doors 7/2004

Applicability: All EC 130 B4 helicopters.

Requirement: Key-lock the centre lock of the left and right lateral cargo hold doors in accordance with paragraph 1.E.2.a of Eurocopter EC 130 Alert Telex No. 04A001.

Note: DGAC Emergency AD UF-2004-066 refers.

Compliance: Prior to each flight after 14 May 2004.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 14 May 2004.

Background: During a flight test at the manufacturer’s facility, the centre lock of the lateral cargo hold door unlatched. Unlocking of the centre lock in flight, combined with aerodynamic loads, could lead to failure of the lateral lock and result in loss of the cargo hold door.

Signature of David Villiers, Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

David Villiers

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 13 May 2004

View image in the official source

Source text

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

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters

AD/ECUREUIL/99 Lateral Cargo Hold Doors AD/ECUREUIL/99 Lateral Cargo Hold Doors 7/2004

AD/ECUREUIL/99 Lateral Cargo Hold Doors 7/2004

Applicability: All EC 130 B4 helicopters.

Requirement: Key-lock the centre lock of the left and right lateral cargo hold doors in accordance with paragraph 1.E.2.a of Eurocopter EC 130 Alert Telex No. 04A001.

Note: DGAC Emergency AD UF-2004-066 refers.

Compliance: Prior to each flight after 14 May 2004.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 14 May 2004.

David Villiers

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 13 May 2004