{"id":"F2008L00770","name":"AD/AS 355/58 Amdt 2 - Rear Bench Cushions","slug":"ad-as-355-58-amdt-2-rear-bench-cushions","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":72829,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2008L00770-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series","sectionType":"division","heading":"Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters","content":"### Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters\n\n| AD/AS 355/58 Amdt 2 | Rear Bench Cushions | 4/2008 |\n| ------------------- | ------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | Model AS 355 E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters, equipped with a rear bench seat; unless modified in accordance with MOD 073166 (AS 355 Service Bulletin No. 25.00.66).                                                                                                                                                                                         |\n| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | Remove any unoccupied cushions from the rear bench seat, unless the seat cushions are restrained by mechanical means approved in accordance with CAR35 in addition to the existing Velcro method.Note 1: Incorporation of optional Modification 073166 terminates the restrictions imposed by this Directive.Note 2: EASA AD 2008-0044 refers.              |\n| Compliance:    | Before any flight with the door(s) removed or the sliding door(s) in the open position after 12 April 2001.If the cushions are not restrained by additional mechanical means, a copy of this Directive is to be carried in the aircraft at all times.The compliance time remains unchanged by this issue of the Directive.                                  |\n|                | This Amendment becomes effective on 10 April 2008.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |\n| Background:    | The DGAC has received two reports of in-flight loss of the rear bench seat cushion in doors removed configurations. The lost cushions might contact the main or tail rotor causing loss of control of the helicopter.Amendment 1 introduced an alternate means of compliance to cushion removal in aircraft operating with sliding door(s) open or removed. |\n\n|     | Amendment 2 is issued in response to a new EASA AD, which introduces optional terminating action to the flight restrictions. The Type Certificate Holder designed MOD 073166 to improve the attachments of the rear bench seat.The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 11 April 2001. |\n| --- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nDavid Villiers  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n29 February 2008","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/AS 355/58 Amdt 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/AS 355/58 Amdt 2","content":"## AD/AS 355/58 Amdt 2","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Rear Bench Cushions","sectionType":"part","heading":"Rear Bench Cushions","content":"## Rear Bench Cushions","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4/2008","sectionType":"part","heading":"4/2008","content":"## 4/2008","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Amendment 2 remains tightly focused on its original purpose: preventing rear bench cushion loss in AS 355 helicopters. The amendment introduces an optional terminating action (MOD 073166) but does not expand the scope beyond the original safety issue. The applicability, core requirement, and compliance timing remain consistent with the original 2001 directive."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 250 words)","Only 2 defined applicability criteria (helicopter model and modification status)","Single primary requirement with one clear exception (mechanical restraint)","Minimal cross-referencing (only references to CAR35, MOD 073166, and EASA AD 2008-0044)","Simple conditional logic: if doors open/removed → remove cushions OR add restraints","Clear terminating action (Modification 073166) that ends the requirement"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD mandates safety measures for Eurocopter AS355 E/F/F1/F2/N helicopters with a rear bench seat after reports that seat cushions can fly out when doors are removed or open, risking rotor strike and loss of control. Before flight with doors off/open, unoccupied cushions must be removed or fitted with an approved mechanical restraint (or the pilot carry a copy of the AD). Installation of Modification 073166 permanently terminates the AD for that helicopter."},"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Amendment 2 narrows the operational burden by introducing an optional terminating action: installation of MOD 073166 (the Type Certificate Holder's improved cushion attachments) removes the flight restrictions. The Directive otherwise retains the original removal/ restrain requirement and unchanged compliance timing (Amendment 2; Requirement; Compliance)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability: only AS 355 E, F, F1, F2 and N models with a rear bench (Applicability).","Immediate operational restriction tied to specific flight configuration (doors removed/open) and a historic compliance date (Compliance).","Two compliance pathways: remove cushions or fit an approved mechanical restraint per CAR35, or install optional MOD 073166 as terminating action (Requirement; Amendment 2).","Administrative burden: aircraft must carry a copy of the Directive when cushions are not additionally restrained (Compliance).","Reference to external approvals and standards (CAR35) and to EASA AD 2008-0044, adding cross-jurisdictional compliance considerations (Background/Requirement)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Eurocopter AS 355 E/F/F1/F2/N helicopters with a rear bench seat to remove any unoccupied rear-bench cushions before flight when doors are removed or sliding doors are open, unless the cushions are secured by an additional mechanically approved restraint or the optional MOD 073166 modification is fitted. It matters because there have been reports of cushions leaving the cabin and striking rotors, creating a potential loss-of-control hazard; if cushions remain unrestrained a copy of the Directive must be carried aboard."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-58-amdt-2-rear-bench-cushions","history":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-58-amdt-2-rear-bench-cushions/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-58-amdt-2-rear-bench-cushions/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-58-amdt-2-rear-bench-cushions/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-58-amdt-2-rear-bench-cushions/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-58-amdt-2-rear-bench-cushions/documents"}}