{"id":"F2006B02483","name":"AD/AS 355/3 - Tail Rotor Blades, Bonding Separation of Stainless Steel Leading Edge Protectors - Inspection","slug":"ad-as-355-3-tail-rotor-blades-bonding-separation-of-stainless-steel-leading-edge-protectors-inspecti","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":41739,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02483-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/AS 355/3 - Tail Rotor Blades, Bonding Separation of Stainless Steel Leading Edge Protectors - Inspection","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)  \nEurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters\n\nAD/AS 355/3 Tail Rotor Blades, Bonding Separation of Stainless\n\nSteel Leading Edge Protectors \\- Inspection\n\n  \n5/82\n\nApplicability: All model AS 355 helicopters fitted with tail rotor blades 350A.12.0030.00 to .05. Requirement: Action in accordance with Aerospatiale Workcard AS 355 No. 64.10.00.601.\n\nNote: Bureau Veritas AD 82-25-4(B) refers.\n\nCompliance: A. For blades between 0 and 100 hours time in service since new or overhaul:\n\nBefore further flight and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 10 hours time in service until accumulation of 100 hours time in service.\n\nB. For blades with more than 100 hours time in service since new or overhaul: Within 10 hours time in service after 24 March 1982.\n\nBackground: The manufacturer has reported several cases of severe bonding separation of the leading edge stainless steel protectors.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a narrow, targeted airworthiness directive addressing a specific reported defect in specific helicopter models. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical defect addressed (bonding separation of leading edge protectors)","Only two compliance pathways based on hours-in-service (0-100 vs. 100+ hours)","No defined terms section or extensive cross-referencing","Refers to external technical document (Aerospatiale Workcard) for actual inspection procedure","Short, single-issue directive with minimal conditional logic"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for specific helicopters.\n\n**What it does:**\nOrders owners and operators of **Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) series helicopters** to inspect the tail rotor blades for a specific dangerous defect: the stainless steel leading edge protectors coming unstuck (bonding separation) from the blade.\n\n**Who it affects:**\nAnyone operating AS 355 helicopters fitted with specific tail rotor blade part numbers (350A.12.0030.00 through .05).\n\n**What must be done:**\n- **New or recently overhauled blades (0-100 hours):** Inspect before flying again, then re-inspect every 10 flight hours until the blade reaches 100 total hours.\n- **Older blades (over 100 hours):** Inspect within 10 flight hours after 24 March 1982.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThe manufacturer reported multiple cases where the protective metal strips on the tail rotor blades were peeling off. If this happens in flight, it could damage the tail rotor, cause vibration, or lead to loss of control — potentially catastrophic for a helicopter.\n\n**The bottom line:**\nThis is a \"fix it before you fly\" safety rule. It mandates repeated inspections until the blade proves itself, or immediate inspection for older blades, to catch a known defect before it causes an accident."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The text contains no indication that the AD's scope has been altered from its stated operative content. The directive applies to all AS 355 helicopters fitted with the specified tail rotor blade part numbers and prescribes inspections and timing as set out in the AD (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance A/B)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability limited to specific blade part numbers (Applicability)","Mandatory reference to an external technical document (Aerospatiale Workcard) for the operative inspection steps (Requirement)","Two distinct compliance timelines depending on blade hours‑in‑service (Compliance A and B)","Very short repeat inspection interval (10 hours) while blades are under 100 hours, increasing administrative and operational load (Compliance A)","Cross‑reference to another AD (Bureau Veritas) requiring additional document checks (Note)","Immediate \"before further flight\" obligation for some blades creates operational consequences if inspections are not completed (Compliance A)"],"plain_english_summary":"Operators and maintainers of Eurocopter AS 355 helicopters with specified tail‑rotor blades must follow a mandated inspection programme—set out in the Aerospatiale Workcard—because of reported bonding separation of leading‑edge protectors. Blades under 100 hours face immediate and repeated short‑interval inspections; blades over 100 hours have a one‑off short deadline. The owner/operator bears inspection, repair, downtime and recordkeeping costs."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-3-tail-rotor-blades-bonding-separation-of-stainless-steel-leading-edge-protectors-inspecti","history":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-3-tail-rotor-blades-bonding-separation-of-stainless-steel-leading-edge-protectors-inspecti/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-3-tail-rotor-blades-bonding-separation-of-stainless-steel-leading-edge-protectors-inspecti/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-3-tail-rotor-blades-bonding-separation-of-stainless-steel-leading-edge-protectors-inspecti/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-3-tail-rotor-blades-bonding-separation-of-stainless-steel-leading-edge-protectors-inspecti/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-3-tail-rotor-blades-bonding-separation-of-stainless-steel-leading-edge-protectors-inspecti/documents"}}