{"id":"F2006B04625","name":"AD/BELL 407/11 - Door Locking Mechanism","slug":"ad-bell-407-11-door-locking-mechanism","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":44377,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B04625-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/BELL 407/11 - Door Locking Mechanism","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 22.10.0\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)  Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series Helicopters\n\n \n\nAD/BELL 407/11 Door Locking Mechanism 10/99\n\nApplicability: Model 407 helicopters, serial numbers 53000 through 53334.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Alert Service Bulletin 407-99-30, dated 10 May 1999.\n\n \n\nNote: Transport Canada AD CF-99-19 refers.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Before 30 November 1999, unless already accomplished.\n\n \n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 7 October 1999.\n\n \n\nBackground:  The manufacturer has received reports of in-service problems with the doors. A possibility exists for the locking mechanism to become completely disabled and could impede an emergency egress, should critical circumstances arise.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, time-bound safety directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in specific aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating a door lock fix."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (under 200 words)","No defined terms section — all language is plain operational English","Single, unambiguous requirement: comply with referenced manufacturer bulletin","No nested conditions or exceptions — just applicability criteria (specific serial numbers) and a deadline","Cross-reference is simple (one manufacturer bulletin and one Canadian equivalent for context)","No interpretive provisions, penalty clauses, or enforcement mechanisms within the document itself"],"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 Bell 407 helicopters.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Requires owners and operators of certain Bell 407 helicopters (serial numbers 53000 through 53334) to follow a specific repair or inspection procedure outlined in a manufacturer bulletin (Bell Alert Service Bulletin 407-99-30).\n- The fix addresses a faulty door locking mechanism that could fail completely, potentially trapping people inside the helicopter during an emergency.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Anyone who owns, operates, or maintains the affected Bell 407 helicopter models.\n\n**Why it matters:**\n- **Safety critical:** A door that won't open in an emergency (like a crash or fire) could prevent escape and cost lives.\n- **Legally binding:** This isn't a suggestion — it's a legal requirement. Non-compliance means the aircraft cannot legally fly.\n- **Time-sensitive:** The work had to be completed before 30 November 1999 (or earlier if already done).\n\n**Key point:** This document shows how aviation safety works in practice — when a manufacturer discovers a dangerous defect, regulators issue binding orders to fix it before anyone gets hurt."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument's scope is clear and limited to the specified serial-number range and the single corrective action set out in the referenced Alert Service Bulletin. The text contains no indication the applicability or required action was altered from its stated purpose; the background statement aligns with the directive's corrective aim."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability — applies only to Model 407, serial numbers 53000–53334 (Applicability).","Single required action — compliance is by following a named manufacturer Alert Service Bulletin, which shifts substantive detail to that external document (Requirement).","Fixed compliance deadline and effective date create a short, non‑negotiable schedule (Compliance; Effective Date).","Safety‑critical context — failure affects emergency egress, increasing urgency but not adding procedural layers (Background).","Compliance cost allocation — operators/owners bear labour and parts costs; the AD does not specify funding or reimbursement (Requirement/Compliance).","Low regulatory discretion — the AD prescribes the action and deadline rather than offering alternatives, limiting operator flexibility (Requirement)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Bell 407 helicopters (serial numbers 53000–53334) to carry out the manufacturer’s corrective actions in Bell Alert Service Bulletin 407‑99‑30 by 30 November 1999 to address a door‑locking mechanism defect. It matters because the lock can become completely disabled and could impede emergency egress; the cost, labour and timing for compliance fall to aircraft owners/operators and are enforced by the regulator."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-11-door-locking-mechanism","history":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-11-door-locking-mechanism/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-11-door-locking-mechanism/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-11-door-locking-mechanism/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-11-door-locking-mechanism/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-11-door-locking-mechanism/documents"}}