{"id":"F2006B01826","name":"AD/A109/40 - Engine Exhaust Ejectors","slug":"ad-a109-40-engine-exhaust-ejectors","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":41024,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B01826-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nFor 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 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\nAgusta A109 Series Helicopters","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/A109/40 Engine Exhaust Ejectors 5/200","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/A109/40 Engine Exhaust Ejectors 5/2003","content":"# AD/A109/40 Engine Exhaust Ejectors 5/2003\n\nApplicability: Model A109E helicopters up to and including serial number (S/N) 11057, excluding S/N 11001, 11005, 11047, 11049 11055 and 11056.\n\nRequirement: Carry out modification of the engine exhaust ejectors in accordance with the compliance instructions of Agusta Alert Bollettino Technico 109EP-5.\n\nNote: ENAC AD 2000-088 refers.\n\nCompliance: Before further flight.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 15 May 2003.\n\nBackground: This directive is in response to cracking of the exhaust ejector saddles. Failure of the saddle could result in the loss of the ejector, metallic clamp, damage to the main or tail rotor system and subsequent loss of control o the helicopter.\n\nInspection and repairs as detailed in Bolletino Technico A109EP-3 and ENAC AD 98-465 are superseded by the requirements of this directive.\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nJames Coyne\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 1 April 2003\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 23 April 2003.","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Scope changed from prior measures: the AD explicitly supersedes earlier 'Inspection and repairs as detailed in Bolletino Tecnico A109EP-3 and ENAC AD 98-465' and replaces them with a mandatory modification per Agusta Alert Bollettino 109EP-5, shifting from inspection/repair procedures to a required modification (see 'Requirement' and 'Background' sections)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability by serial number with specific exclusions — operators must check airframes against 'Applicability' to confirm coverage.","Mandatory modification 'in accordance with the compliance instructions of Agusta Alert Bollettino 109EP-5' — reliance on an external manufacturer document for technical steps increases implementation dependency.","Immediate compliance timing: 'Before further flight' — creates an urgent operational and scheduling burden on operators.","Supersession of earlier instructions: 'Inspection and repairs ... are superseded by the requirements of this directive' — affects maintenance records and may require revising prior corrective actions.","Safety consequence cited: cracking of exhaust ejector saddles could cause loss of ejector, clamp, or damage to main/tail rotor and 'subsequent loss of control' — justifies mandatory action but also raises liability and insurance implications for owners.","Delegated regulatory authority: issued by CASA 'under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998' — indicates regulator discretion to prescribe corrective action.","Cost and labour burden falls on aircraft owners/operators — the AD prescribes the action and timing but does not fund or direct who pays for the modification."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires owners/operators of specified Agusta A109E helicopters (certain serial numbers, with listed exclusions) to modify the engine exhaust ejectors according to Agusta Alert Bollettino 109EP-5. The modification must be done before further flight. It matters because cracked ejector saddles can lead to loss of ejectors or damage to rotor systems and potential loss of control, so the directive mandates a one-off safety modification to eliminate that risk."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive maintains its original narrow scope — addressing a specific mechanical defect in a specific helicopter model. It replaces earlier inspection requirements with a mandatory modification, but this represents an evolution of the same safety purpose rather than scope creep."},"complexity_factors":["Single, unambiguous requirement (one specific modification)","Clear applicability criteria (specific model and serial number range with explicit exclusions)","No conditional logic or nested exceptions — compliance is absolute and immediate","Only one cross-reference (to manufacturer's technical bulletin and superseded Italian aviation directive)","Short document (approximately 250 words) with minimal defined terms"],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires immediate modification of the engine exhaust ejectors on specified Agusta A109E helicopters because the metal saddle brackets can crack and allow ejectors to detach, risking rotor damage and loss of control. \n\nIt replaces prior 1998 instructions and mandates compliance with Agusta’s technical bulletin (Alert Bollettino Technico 109EP-5); affected owners/operators must complete the modification before the helicopter next flies."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-a109-40-engine-exhaust-ejectors","history":"/api/acts/ad-a109-40-engine-exhaust-ejectors/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-a109-40-engine-exhaust-ejectors/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-a109-40-engine-exhaust-ejectors/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-a109-40-engine-exhaust-ejectors/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-a109-40-engine-exhaust-ejectors/documents"}}