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 39.001(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.
Turbomeca Turbine Engines - Arriel Series
AD/ARRIEL/36
Return to Service for Civil use from an Operator Not Controlled by a Civil Authority
7/2013
Applicability:
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to an Arriel 1A, 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D1, 1E2, 1K, 1K1, 1S or 1S1 turboshaft engine originally assembled by Turbomeca and installed, or previously installed, in an aircraft used in operations which were not subject to the regulatory oversight of the Civil Aviation Authority in the state in which the operator of the aircraft was based (for example, a military, paramilitary or state operator) (an affected engine).
However, this AD does not apply to an affected engine if the registered operator of an aircraft fitted with the engine has previously complied with:
(a) the requirements of European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2007-0045; or
(b) the requirements specified in Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin
A292 72 0806 original issue or later approved revision as in force from time to time;
Note: These engines are known to be installed on helicopters including, but not limited to, the following:
Eurocopter AS350 B/BA/B1/B2, AS365 N/N1/N2/C/C1/C2/C3 and BK117 C1/C
(EC 145),
Agusta A109 K/K2, Sikorsky S76 A+/A++/C.
Requirement:
The registered operator of an aircraft fitted with an affected engine must comply with the requirements specified in Turbomeca Mandatory Service Bulletin A292 72 0806 original issue or later approved revision as in force from time to time.
Compliance:
For an aircraft fitted with an affected engine and for which a certificate of airworthiness is in force, by 31August 2013.
For any other aircraft, at the earliest of the following that occurs after
31August 2013:
(a) issue of a certificate of airworthiness for an aircraft fitted with an affected engine;
(b) the time of installation into the aircraft of an affected engine.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 31 August 2013.
Background:
Turbomeca has advised EASA (the certificating civil aviation authority) that some helicopters equipped with Arriel engines may be or may have been sold to civil operators. The use of Arriel 1A, 1A1, 1A2, 1B, 1C, 1C1, 1C2, 1D1, 1E2, 1K, 1K1, 1S and 1S1 turboshaft engines which have been previously used by an operator who is not subject to regulatory oversight by a civil aviation authority (for example, a military, paramilitary or state operator) may result in the engines being in an unsafe condition for civil operations. For example, if these engines have not been operated under the framework of a civil aviation regime, their configuration may not conform to the type definition approved by the relevant civil aviation authority, especially concerning the modification standard, applied repair schemes or the maintenance program for critical parts to ensure that the engine meets an airworthiness standard suitable for use in civilian air operations.
The operating limits approved by the relevant civil aviation authority may also have been exceeded on these turbo shaft engines. Operators are reminded in particular that life limits are based on normal civil cycles.
This AD requires the registered operator to review the engines operating and service history to allow the issue of an approved release note to allow the engine to return to civil service.
[Signed M. Higgins]
Mike Higgins
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority
21 March 2013
