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Compliance with AD SUPP 10
Date issue released
Safety Issue Description

It is likely that specific post-flight inspection requirements for the Breeze Eastern rescue hoist listed in Airworthiness Directive AD/SUPP/10 were not adequately completed by the operator. The inspections were targeted at ensuring correct stowage of the hook assembly at the end of each flight.

Issue number
AO-2020-013-SI-01
Issue Status
Closed – Adequately addressed
Transport Function
Aviation: Other
Issue Owner
New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (ParkAir)
Mode of Transport
Aviation
Issue Status Justification

The ATSB considers that the safety action undertaken by the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (ParkAir) adequately addresses the safety issue. The operator’s compliance with Airworthiness Directive AD/SUPP /10 provides confirmation to personnel involved in winching operations that the hook assembly has been adequately stowed, and further limits the potential for the load cable to become damaged during helicopter operations.

Proactive action
Action number
AO-2020-013-PSA-04
Organisation
New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (ParkAir)
Action Status
Closed
Action description

Following this occurrence New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (ParkAir) advised the following safety actions had been completed:

  • Throughout February 2020 winching operations were suspended and the load cables replaced within their fleet of Breeze-Eastern rescue hoists.
  • In July 2020, ParkAir were provided Breeze-Eastern Flight Line maintenance training for all staff including pilots, maintainers and rescue hoist crewman.
  • A measurement gauge is now used by crewman to determine whether the hoist has adequate compression in accordance with the pre- and post-flight requirements listed within CASA Airworthiness Directive AD/SUPP/10.
  • In January 2021, a revision of the ParkAir Flight Manual Supplement was accomplished to ensure cable inspection procedures requirements are now completed in accordance with CASA AD/SUPP/10.
  • ParkAir are also now conducting a full-out and then full-in during daily cable conditioning operations in accordance with the Breeze-Eastern flight operations and maintenance manual.
  • ParkAir have adopted the Airbus Helicopters method for hoist cycle counting and all hoist cables have a 500 cycle life-limit.