{"id":"F2006B01814","name":"AD/A109/29 Amdt 2 - Main Rotor Blades Tip Cap","slug":"ad-a109-29-amdt-2-main-rotor-blades-tip-cap","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":41012,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B01814-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/A109/29 Amdt 2 - Main Rotor Blades Tip Cap","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n![](image.002.png)  \nAgusta A109 Series Helicopters\n\nAIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.002.png)\n\n![](image.002.png)  \nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/A109/29 Amdt 1 and issues the following 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.\n\nAD/A109/29\n\nAmdt 2\n\n  \n\nMain Rotor Blades Tip Cap 2/2001 DM\n\nApplicability: Model A109C helicopters equipped with main rotor blades part number 709-0103-01 (all dash numbers) with serial numbers up to and including 1428, preceded by code A5 or EM.\n\nRequirement: Inspect in accordance with Agusta Bollettino Tecnico 109-106 Revision B, dated 21 December 2000.\n\nNote: ENAC AD 2000-571 refers.\n\nCompliance: Within 10 hours’ time in service after 10 January 2001, unless already accomplished.\n\nThereafter at intervals not to exceed 25 hours’ time in service. This amendment becomes effective on 10 January 2001.\n\nBackground: The manufacturer received several reports of cracking of the main rotor blade tip cap leading edge which caused a subsequent increase in the level of vibration. An investigation revealed extensive areas of debonding of the tip cap honeycomb core, which caused a pulsating effect on the tip cap and subsequent cracking.\n\nAmendment 1 reflected the latest revision of the Requirement document.\n\nAmendment 2 is issued in response to a new ENAC AD which mandates Revision B of the Requirement document.\n\nAmendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 14 October 1998.\n\nThe original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 14 August 1998.\n\n![](image.003.png)  \n\nEugene Paul Holzapfel\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 4 January 2001\n\n![](image.002.png)\n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 10 January 2001.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Amendment 2 updates the referenced inspection instruction to Agusta Bollettino Tecnico 109-106 Revision B (per the new ENAC AD) and revokes the prior amendment, but does not expand the helicopter/part/serial-number applicability or alter the stated inspection intervals; it therefore does not change the AD’s substantive scope."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow but precise applicability: specific model, part number, serial-number range and preceding codes (requires accurate identification).","Mandatory short-term initial compliance window (10 flight hours) followed by frequent recurring inspections (25-hour intervals).","Reliance on an external technical document (Agusta Bollettino Tecnico 109-106 Revision B) for inspection procedures.","Regulatory amendment history and cross-reference to ENAC AD (requires tracking of revisions and international directives).","Enforcement under CAR 1998 subregulation 39.1(1) creates legal obligation for operators and maintenance organisations."],"plain_english_summary":"Mechanically, this amendment requires Agusta A109C helicopters fitted with specific main rotor blades (part 709-0103-01, serials up to 1428 preceded by A5 or EM) to be inspected per Agusta Bollettino Tecnico 109-106 Revision B: initial inspection within 10 flight hours after 10 January 2001 and recurring every 25 hours. CASA issued it to address tip-cap cracking and honeycomb debonding that increased vibration. Operators bear inspection and repair costs; maintenance organisations carry out the work, creating a recurring compliance obligation tied to the manufacturer’s bulletin."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope — addressing a specific mechanical defect in specific helicopter rotor blades. Amendment 2 simply updates the technical reference to Revision B of the manufacturer's bulletin in response to an Italian regulatory change. The scope has not expanded beyond the original safety purpose of detecting tip cap cracking."},"complexity_factors":["Single, clearly defined applicability (one helicopter model, specific part numbers and serial numbers)","Straightforward requirement: one inspection method referencing a single external technical document","Simple compliance timeline: initial deadline plus recurring interval","Minimal cross-referencing (only one external document: ENAC AD 2000-571 and the Agusta technical bulletin)","No defined terms section, no nested conditions, no exceptions or exemptions","Short document (approximately 300 words) with clear structure (Applicability, Requirement, Compliance, Background)"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD replaces the earlier amendment and mandates repeated inspections of main rotor blade tip caps on certain Agusta A109C helicopters after the manufacturer found internal honeycomb debonding that leads to cracking and excessive vibration.  \n\nIt affects owners/operators and maintainers of those A109C aircraft and requires following the manufacturer's inspection procedures to catch the defect before it can cause catastrophic rotor failure."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-a109-29-amdt-2-main-rotor-blades-tip-cap","history":"/api/acts/ad-a109-29-amdt-2-main-rotor-blades-tip-cap/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-a109-29-amdt-2-main-rotor-blades-tip-cap/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-a109-29-amdt-2-main-rotor-blades-tip-cap/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-a109-29-amdt-2-main-rotor-blades-tip-cap/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-a109-29-amdt-2-main-rotor-blades-tip-cap/documents"}}