{"id":"F2006B02530","name":"AD/AS 355/80 - Camera System Installation - 2","slug":"ad-as-355-80-camera-system-installation-2","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":41786,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B02530-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\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 CASR 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\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nEurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/AS 355/80 Camera System Installation ","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/AS 355/80 Camera System Installation - 2 10/2004","content":"# AD/AS 355/80 Camera System Installation \\- 2 10/2004\n\nApplicability: Model AS 355 helicopters that have been modified in accordance with Mann Aviation Group (Engineering) Ltd (MAG(E)) modification 350-1521, 350-1680, or 350-1707; Installation of Camera Platform.\n\nRequirement: 1. Inspect the camera platform hold down hook to determine the standard of hook installed, in accordance with paragraph 2 of MAG(E) Service Bulletin SB-A25- 002 Issue 1, dated 20 May 2004, or later EASA approved revision. If a part number 350-1521-109 hook is found to be installed, replace the \\-109 hook with a part number 350-1521-139 hook in accordance with SB-A25-002 Issue 1, or later EASA approved revision.\n\n2. Modify the Mounting Arm in accordance with SB-A25-002 Issue 1, or later EASA approved revision.\n\nNote: UK CAA AD G-2004-0019 refers.\n\nCompliance: Within 3 months after 30 September 2004.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 30 September 2004.\n\nBackground: The manufacturer has received reports of failures of an old standard of the camera platform hold down hook. Failure of the hook could result in inadequate retention of the platform and camera, which could become a hazard to the helicopter.\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nDavid Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 18 August 2004\n\n![](image.001.png)","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard airworthiness directive addressing a specific safety defect in a specific modification. The scope remains tightly focused on the camera platform hook failure issue as originally identified."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific aircraft model and three specific modification numbers","Only two required actions (inspection/replacement and modification)","Single compliance deadline with no conditional extensions","Four defined part numbers and one service bulletin reference","No nested exceptions or alternative compliance methods","Total length: approximately 250 words"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA safety order applies to Eurocopter AS355 helicopters fitted with Mann Aviation camera modification kits (350-1521, 350-1680, 350-1707). It responds to potential failure of the old hold-down hook that could allow the camera platform to detach and endanger the aircraft and people below. Operators must inspect the hook, replace -109 parts with the stronger -139 version, and modify the mounting arm; work was required within three months of 30 Sep 2004 and grounding remains until fixed."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD is narrowly focused on correcting a specific unsafe condition (failure of an older camera hold‑down hook) on AS 355 helicopters modified under the listed MAG(E) modification numbers. It does not broaden the subject matter beyond that safety corrective action. The directive remains within the original purpose of addressing the identified hardware failure — requiring inspection, replacement of a specific part number if present, and a mounting arm modification — and therefore does not represent a significant scope expansion."},"complexity_factors":["Short document (single-page AD with three procedural requirements)","Very limited number of defined items — three MAG(E) modification numbers, two hook part numbers (350-1521-109 and 350-1521-139)","Single compliance deadline (3 months after 30 September 2004) — no staged or rolling requirements","Two mandatory actions only (inspect/replace hook; modify mounting arm)","Cross-references to external technical documents (MAG(E) Service Bulletin SB-A25-002 Issue 1 and any later EASA‑approved revision) which require the reader to consult another source for detailed procedures","Reference to a related foreign AD (UK CAA AD G-2004-0019) — minor additional cross-reference"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this directive does (mechanically):**\n\n- This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies only to Eurocopter AS 355 helicopters that have had a specific camera‑platform modification installed under Mann Aviation Group (Engineering) Ltd (MAG(E)) modification numbers 350-1521, 350-1680, or 350-1707 (Applicability).  \n- It requires two things:  \n  - Inspect the camera platform hold‑down hook to identify which hook part number is fitted, following paragraph 2 of MAG(E) Service Bulletin SB-A25-002 Issue 1 (Requirement 1).  If the older hook, part number 350-1521-109, is present, it must be replaced with part number 350-1521-139 in accordance with that service bulletin (Requirement 1).  \n  - Modify the camera mounting arm in accordance with SB-A25-002 Issue 1 (Requirement 2).  \n- Compliance timing: these actions had to be completed within 3 months after 30 September 2004 (Compliance).  \n- The AD becomes effective on 30 September 2004 (Effective date).\n\n**Why the regulator required it (official rationale):**\n\n- The background states the manufacturer received reports of failures of the older design of the camera hold‑down hook. If the hook fails, the platform and camera may not be retained adequately and could present a hazard to the helicopter (Background).  \n- The AD references the MAG(E) service bulletin and a related UK CAA AD for the technical instructions and justification.\n\n**Who is affected and who pays:**\n\n- Affected parties: owners/operators of Eurocopter AS 355 helicopters that have one of the listed MAG(E) camera installation modifications, maintenance organisations that service those helicopters, and parts suppliers for the specified hooks and mounting‑arm components (Applicability; Requirement).  \n- Who pays: the owner/operator is responsible for arranging and paying for the inspection, any required replacement hook, and the mounting arm modification. Maintenance organisations will charge for labour and parts.  \n\n**How it changes behaviour and decisions:**\n\n- Operators must inspect the specified component and replace it if the old part number is present (so operators will either incur an inspection cost only, or inspection + replacement + installation cost).  \n- Operators must schedule the mounting arm modification and accept associated aircraft downtime (Compliance).  \n- Maintenance providers must follow the MAG(E) service bulletin (or later EASA‑approved revision) as the required method of compliance (Requirement; note referencing EASA revision).\n\n**Trade‑offs, risks and practical effects to note:**\n\n- Cost vs safety: the immediate cost is inspection, potential part replacement and modification downtime. The intended safety benefit is reduced risk of the camera platform detaching. The regulator treats that safety gain as justifying the cost (Background; Requirement).  \n- Concentration of costs and benefits: costs fall directly and narrowly on the operators of the modified AS 355 helicopters; the safety benefit is both local (to those aircraft) and public (reduced hazard to the helicopter and others).  \n- Implementation dependencies: the AD requires compliance with a manufacturer service bulletin and any later EASA‑approved revision; availability of approved revisions or replacement parts could affect timing and cost (Requirement).  \n- Compliance monitoring and recordkeeping: the AD imposes a clear time window (3 months after 30/09/2004). CASA (via its delegate) enforces the AD; operators must retain evidence of the inspection/modification to show compliance when asked (Compliance).  \n- Market effects: parts suppliers and maintenance organisations supplying the new hook/modify service will see demand concentrated among affected operators; operators could choose to remove or not use the camera installation to avoid costs, which is a private‑choice response.  \n\n**Specific references to the instrument:**\n- Applicability: limited to AS 355 helicopters modified under MAG(E) mods 350-1521, 350-1680, 350-1707.  \n- Requirement 1: inspect hook; if part number 350-1521-109 is fitted, replace with 350-1521-139 per SB-A25-002 Issue 1 (or later EASA approved revision).  \n- Requirement 2: modify the mounting arm per SB-A25-002 Issue 1 (or later EASA approved revision).  \n- Compliance: within 3 months after 30 September 2004; AD effective 30 September 2004.  \n\n(End of summary.)"},"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-355-80-camera-system-installation-2","history":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-80-camera-system-installation-2/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-80-camera-system-installation-2/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-80-camera-system-installation-2/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-80-camera-system-installation-2/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-as-355-80-camera-system-installation-2/documents"}}