{"id":"F2006B02507","name":"AD/AS 355/53 - Ferry Fuel Tanks","slug":"ad-as-355-53-ferry-fuel-tanks","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":41763,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02507-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.002.png)\n\n![](image.002.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.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/AS 355/53 Ferry Fuel Tanks 9/2000 DM","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/AS 355/53 Ferry Fuel Tanks 9/2000 DM","content":"# AD/AS 355/53 Ferry Fuel Tanks 9/2000 DM\n\nApplicability: AS 355 E, F, F1 F2 and N helicopters, metal ferry fuel tanks, part number 330A 871310.00, .01, .02, .03 and .04.\n\nRequirement: 1. For installed metal ferry fuel tanks \\- Electrically bond the fuel tanks in accordance with paragraph C.C of Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.10 dated 6 June 2000.\n\n2. For metal ferry fuel tanks that are not installed \\- Electrically bond the fuel tanks in accordance with paragraph C.C of Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.10 dated 6 June 2000.\n\nNote: DGAC AD 2000-302(A).\n\nCompliance: For Requirement 1 \\- Before the next refuelling of the ferry fuel tank after the effective date of this Directive.\n\nFor Resquirement 2 - Before installation of the ferry fuel tank. This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 26 July 2000.\n\nBackground: The French Direction Generale de L’Aviation Civile has advised that an electrostatic ground connector on several ferry fuel tanks was not electrically bonded to its support. During refuelling of a tank, the absence of this electrical bonding could generate an electrical arc between the refuelling nozzle of the tanker and the fuel tank causing the fuel tank to explode.\n\n![](image.003.png)  \n\nEugene Paul Holzapfel\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 18 July 2000\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 26 July 2000.","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive maintains its original narrow scope. It addresses a specific safety defect in specific part numbers of ferry fuel tanks for specific helicopter models. There is no evidence of scope creep; the directive remains tightly focused on the electrical bonding defect identified in the background section."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 300 words)","Only 2 substantive requirements with clear applicability criteria","Single defined term reference (Eurocopter Service Telex)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic beyond the installed/not-installed distinction","Straightforward compliance timeline (before next refuelling or before installation)","Minimal cross-referencing (only to the Eurocopter telex and French DGAC AD)"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA safety order requires owners/operators of AS 355 E/F/F1/F2/N helicopters fitted with certain metal ferry fuel tanks — and anyone installing such stored tanks — to correct a faulty electrical bond on the electrostatic ground connector per Eurocopter Service Telex No. 28.00.10 (6 June 2000) before refuelling or installation. The fix prevents sparks during refuelling that could ignite the tank; the directive adopts a DGAC safety finding."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD is narrowly focused on a specific unsafe condition (lack of electrical bonding on specified metal ferry fuel tanks) and prescribes a single corrective action (electrical bonding per the manufacturer’s telex). It does not broaden regulatory scope beyond that original safety purpose, add unrelated requirements, or extend obligations to types or parts beyond those listed. Therefore the scope has not changed significantly from its original safety-driven intent."},"complexity_factors":["Short document (single-page AD) with limited sections (Applicability, Requirement, Compliance, Background).","Cross-reference to an external technical document: Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.10 (paragraph C.C) — compliance depends on that external text.","Two conditional compliance triggers (installed tanks: before next refuelling after effective date; uninstalled tanks: before installation).","Multiple affected helicopter models and five specific part numbers listed in Applicability.","Reference to a foreign airworthiness directive (DGAC AD 2000-302(A)) creating an international linkage.","No extensive defined terms or nested exceptions; straightforward prescriptive language."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- Requires a specific safety modification to certain AS 355 helicopter ferry fuel tanks: the fuel tanks must be electrically bonded to their supports in the manner set out in paragraph C.C of Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.10 dated 6 June 2000. (Applicability; Requirement 1; Requirement 2.)\n\n- Two situations are covered separately: (a) tanks already installed on the helicopter must be bonded before the next refuelling after the directive’s effective date; (b) tanks not yet installed must be bonded before they are fitted to a helicopter. (Compliance.)\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- Owners, operators and maintenance organisations of AS 355 E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters that use the listed metal ferry fuel tanks (part numbers 330A 871310.00, .01, .02, .03 and .04). (Applicability.)\n\n- Aircraft maintenance providers that carry out the bonding work or certify the work.\n\n**Why it matters (stated safety problem and intended fix)**\n\n- The French aviation authority reported that an electrostatic ground connector on several ferry tanks was not electrically bonded to the tank support. Without that bonding, fuel vapour can be ignited by an electrostatic discharge during refuelling, with a risk of explosion. The required bonding is intended to provide a conductive path so electrostatic charge cannot build up and arc during refuelling. (Background; Requirement.)\n\n**How it works in practice**\n\n- The directive itself does not contain technical bonding instructions; it mandates compliance with paragraph C.C of Eurocopter Service Telex No 28.00.10 (6 June 2000). That means the mandatory method, materials and acceptance criteria are those in the manufacturer’s telex. (Requirement.)\n\n- The regulator (CASA, by delegate) enforces the requirement under the airworthiness regulations. Failure to comply makes the aircraft non-compliant with its continuing airworthiness obligations and may lead to grounding or other enforcement action. (Authority cited in introductory paragraph.)\n\n**Who pays and what behaviour changes**\n\n- Owners/operators pay the direct costs: labour, bonding materials, inspection and any associated downtime while the work is carried out (and any verification paperwork required). Maintenance organisations absorb or bill for labour and may need to schedule the work. Some operators may choose to remove ferry tanks, delay refuelling until bonding is completed, or avoid using ferry tanks where bonding is impractical. (Requirement; Compliance.)\n\n**Compliance and implementation risks / trade-offs**\n\n- Dependence on the Eurocopter Service Telex means the practical clarity and completeness of the telex determine how straightforward the work is. If the telex lacks detail, maintenance organisations may need to seek clarification from the manufacturer, leading to delay and cost. (Requirement.)\n\n- The directive is narrowly targeted: it imposes a low-to-moderate one-off compliance burden on a defined set of helicopters and parts, in exchange for reducing a specific risk during refuelling. The primary opportunity cost is aircraft downtime and the maintenance hours required.\n\n**Regulatory mechanics and discretion**\n\n- The AD is issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 (the CASA delegate’s power to address unsafe conditions). The delegate chooses the corrective action and compliance times; operators must follow those directions. The AD cross-references a manufacturer service telex for the technical fix, which places de facto technical specification authority with the manufacturer for this action. (Introductory paragraph; Requirement.)\n\n**Concise summary**\n\n- If you operate or maintain an AS 355 variant with the listed metal ferry tanks, you must have those tanks electrically bonded to their supports following Eurocopter’s specified method. If the tank is already installed, bonding must be done before the next time you refuel that tank after the AD’s effective date; if the tank is not installed, bond it before installation. The action is intended to remove an electrostatic-ignition risk identified by the French authority. (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance; Background.)"},"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"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-53-ferry-fuel-tanks","history":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-53-ferry-fuel-tanks/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-53-ferry-fuel-tanks/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-53-ferry-fuel-tanks/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-53-ferry-fuel-tanks/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-53-ferry-fuel-tanks/documents"}}