{"id":"F2006L00111","name":"AD/A109/48 Amdt 1 - Rescue Hoist Assembly","slug":"ad-a109-48-amdt-1-rescue-hoist-assembly","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":57985,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006L00111-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Agusta A109 Series Helicopters","sectionType":"division","heading":"Agusta A109 Series Helicopters","content":"### Agusta A109 Series Helicopters\n\n| AD/A109/48 Amdt 1 | Rescue Hoist Assembly | 2/2006 |\n| ----------------- | --------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | All Model A109E helicopters equipped with rescue hoist, Agusta part number109-0900-61 all dash numbers (vendor Breeze-Eastern part number BL-20200 series); and with Breeze-Eastern part number BL-12750 series crushable bumper assembly installed.                                                                                                                      |\n| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | 1. Action in accordance with Agusta Technical Bulletin No. 109EP-31.Note 1: ENAC AD 2002-446 refers.2. Replace the part number BL-12750 series crushable bumper assembly in accordance with Agusta Technical Bulletin No. 109EP-62.Note 2: ENAC AD 2005-423 refers.                                                                                                       |\n| Compliance:    | For Requirement 1:a. For Part I of the Requirement document: Before each flight when use of the rescue hoist is anticipated; until Requirement 2 is accomplished.b. For Part II of the Requirement document: During each in-flight operation of the rescue hoist; until 2 Requirement 2 is accomplished.2. Before 30 April 2006, unless already accomplished.             |\n|                | This Amendment becomes effective on 16 February 2006.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |\n| Background:    | A report was received of a rescue hoist cable failure during the reeling-in operation. Investigation revealed the cable fracture was due to a malfunction of the slow-down feature where the crushable bumper failed to function properly. The crushable bumper functions as a secondary sacrificial safety device should the slow-down feature fail in the up direction. |\n\n|     | Amendment 1 is issued in response to a new ENAC AD, which requires replacement of the crushable bumper assembly; which constitutes terminating action for the hoist operational restrictions. |\n| --- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nDavid Villiers  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n21 December 2005","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/A109/48 Amdt 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/A109/48 Amdt 1","content":"## AD/A109/48 Amdt 1","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Rescue Hoist Assembly","sectionType":"part","heading":"Rescue Hoist Assembly","content":"## Rescue Hoist Assembly","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"2/2006","sectionType":"part","heading":"2/2006","content":"## 2/2006","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This Amendment 1 expands the original, temporary operational restrictions by adding a mandatory replacement of the crushable bumper assembly (Breeze‑Eastern BL-12750 series) as the terminating action for those restrictions. In other words, the instrument moves from imposing interim inspection/operational limits to requiring a hardware modification that permanently removes those interim measures. The change adds a specific modification requirement, a compliance deadline (30 April 2006), and explicit linkage to Agusta Technical Bulletin No. 109EP-62 as the means of compliance (Requirement; Compliance; Amendment)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability tied to a specific airframe model and specific vendor part numbers (clear but precise)","Two external cross-references to Agusta Technical Bulletins (109EP-31 and 109EP-62) that contain the operative technical steps","Cross-reference to ENAC (foreign authority) ADs for background/relationship","Conditional inspection regime (before each flight when hoist use is anticipated; during each in-flight hoist operation) that remains in force until a terminating action is done","A single terminating action (replacement of BL-12750 series) with a calendar deadline (30 April 2006)","Short document length with limited internal definitions but reliance on external technical material for procedural detail"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (short form)**\n\n- Requires specific inspections and a mandatory part replacement for the rescue hoist on certain Agusta A109E helicopters. (Applicability; Requirement)\n\n**Who it affects**\n\n- Operators and owners of Agusta A109E helicopters that: (a) are fitted with the rescue hoist Agusta part number 109-0900-61 (vendor Breeze-Eastern BL-20200 series), and (b) have the Breeze‑Eastern BL-12750 series crushable bumper assembly installed. (Applicability)\n\n**Why it matters**\n\n- The directive responds to an event where a hoist cable fractured because the hoist’s slow-down mechanism malfunctioned and the crushable bumper (a secondary safety device meant to absorb shock) did not function as intended. The measures aim to reduce the risk of hoist cable failure during rescue reeling operations. (Background)\n\n**How it works — the mechanical effect of the law**\n\n- Immediate operational restrictions and inspections: Until the mandatory replacement (see next point) is carried out, operators must follow Agusta Technical Bulletin No. 109EP-31: perform the checks in Part I before each flight when the rescue hoist may be used, and perform Part II checks during each in-flight operation of the hoist. (Requirement; Compliance)\n\n- Mandatory replacement (terminating action): Operators must replace the BL-12750 series crushable bumper assembly in accordance with Agusta Technical Bulletin No. 109EP-62. Completing that replacement removes the temporary operational restrictions. Deadline for replacement is 30 April 2006 unless already done. (Requirement; Compliance; Amendment)\n\n- Legal effect and enforcement: The directive is an airworthiness instruction issued by the regulator (Civil Aviation Safety Authority delegate). Non‑compliance means the operator is not meeting the airworthiness requirement attached to continued operation of those helicopters. (Applicability; Requirement)\n\n**Practical implications, costs and incentives**\n\n- Who pays: The helicopter owner/operator bears the direct costs — time for repeated pre-flight and in‑use inspections until the replacement is installed, purchase cost of the replacement bumper assembly, and labour/time to fit it. (Requirement; Compliance)\n\n- Operational impact: While inspectors are required before/while using the hoist, the hoist can still be used if the inspections are satisfied; however the inspections increase pre‑flight and in‑use workload and create some operational friction. If replacement parts are not immediately available, operators face the choice of continued repetitive inspections (and associated risk) or grounding the hoist until the part is fitted. (Compliance)\n\n- Implementation risk: The directive cross‑references two Agusta technical bulletins and an ENAC (Italian authority) AD. Effectiveness depends on availability of the replacement assembly, access to qualified maintenance to install it per the bulletin, and consistent interpretation of the inspection steps in the bulletin. (Requirement; Amendment)\n\n- Concentration of benefits and diffusion of costs: Safety benefit (reduced risk of cable failure) is concentrated for crew and rescuees; cost (parts, labour, inspection time) is borne by the smaller set of affected operators who operate that model with those parts. (Applicability; Background)\n\n**Key trade-offs and compliance considerations**\n\n- Short-term: repeated inspections reduce immediate risk exposure but add recurrent operational cost and complexity.\n- Medium-term: replacement is a one‑time cost and terminates the extra inspection burden.\n- Enforcement and recordkeeping: operators should document inspections and the replacement to demonstrate compliance to the regulator.\n\n(References: Applicability; Requirement; Compliance; Background; Amendment in the instrument text.)"},"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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment maintains the original scope of addressing rescue hoist safety on A109E helicopters. Amendment 1 adds the terminating action (bumper replacement) that was anticipated in the original directive structure, rather than expanding to new aircraft systems or models."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to external technical documents (Agusta Technical Bulletins 109EP-31 and 109EP-62, plus ENAC ADs 2002-446 and 2005-423)","Two-tier compliance structure with interim operational restrictions and terminating action","Specific part number identification requiring matching against vendor and manufacturer numbering systems (Agusta vs Breeze-Eastern)","Conditional logic: 'until Requirement 2 is accomplished' creates dependency between requirements","Dual effective dates (directive effective date vs compliance deadline)"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive mandates urgent actions for Agusta A109E helicopters fitted with the Breeze-Eastern rescue hoist (Agusta P/N 109‑0900‑61) when a crushable bumper assembly (BL‑12750 series) is installed. It imposes immediate operational restrictions—pre‑flight and in‑flight procedures from Agusta TB 109EP‑31—and requires replacement of the bumper per TB 109EP‑62 by 30 April 2006.\n\nThe AD responds to a hoist cable failure caused by a slow‑down and bumper malfunction, posing serious risk during rescues. Effective 16 February 2006."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-a109-48-amdt-1-rescue-hoist-assembly","history":"/api/acts/ad-a109-48-amdt-1-rescue-hoist-assembly/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-a109-48-amdt-1-rescue-hoist-assembly/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-a109-48-amdt-1-rescue-hoist-assembly/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-a109-48-amdt-1-rescue-hoist-assembly/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-a109-48-amdt-1-rescue-hoist-assembly/documents"}}