AD/GAZELLE/27 - CARGO AIDS Cargo Release Units (Cth)

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Safety 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 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.

Eurocopter SA341 and SA342 (Gazelle) Series Helicopters

AD/GAZELLE/27 CARGO AIDS Cargo Release Units 1/2004 DM

Applicability: Models SA 341 G and SA 342 J helicopters equipped with CARGO AIDS cargo release units part number 2MK1.

Requirement: Check the dimension of the cargo equipment rings in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 01.30.

Note: DGAC AD F-2003-421 refers.

Compliance: Before any flight involving the use of CARGO AIDS cargo release unit part number 2MK1.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 December 2003.

Background: It has been determined that the use of certain size cargo rings is unsuitable for the cargo release unit hook, and could result in the ring jamming in the hook in the hook- open position. This situation could lead to the loss of the underslung load.

David Villiers Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 November 2003