{"id":"F2006B04636","name":"AD/BELL 407/23 - Swashplate Drive Link","slug":"ad-bell-407-23-swashplate-drive-link","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":44388,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B04636-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.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.\n\nBell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) 407 Series Helicopters","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/BELL 407/23 Swashplate Drive Link 13/","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/BELL 407/23 Swashplate Drive Link 13/2002","content":"# AD/BELL 407/23 Swashplate Drive Link 13/2002\n\nTX\n\nApplicability: Bell Helicopter Textron Canada (BHTC) Model 407 helicopters\n\nRequirement: 1. Conduct an inspection of both cup washers Part Number (P/N) 406-010-412-101 for correct installation in accordance with Part I of BHTC Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 407-02-55.\n\n2. If one or both cup washers are installed upside down, replace the parts in accordance with Part II of ASB 407-02-55.\n\nNote: Transport Canada CF-2002-46 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Prior to further flight.\n\n2. Prior to further flight.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 November 2002.\n\nBackground: This Directive has been raised in response to two incidents where the stud from one of the swashplate drive links had failed after recent maintenance. It is suspected that the cause of the stud failure was due to the incorrect installation of washer P/N 406- 010-412-101.\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nJames Coyne\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 8 November 2002\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 November 2002.","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD stays within the original safety response described in the Background: inspect and correct installation of a specific washer to prevent swashplate drive-link stud failure. It imposes a narrowly targeted, immediate inspection-and-replace requirement (Requirement; Compliance) without expanding applicability or introducing new ongoing regulatory obligations."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability — applies only to BHTC Model 407 helicopters (Applicability).","Simple, binary technical action — inspect specified cup washers P/N 406-010-412-101 and replace if upside down (Requirement 1–2).","Immediate compliance timing — both actions must be completed prior to further flight, creating urgency and potential downtime (Compliance).","Reliance on manufacturer's Alert Service Bulletin for procedures (Part I and Part II of ASB 407-02-55) — operational detail delegated to external document (Requirement).","Clear safety trigger in background — issued after two incidents of swashplate drive link stud failure suspected to be caused by incorrect washer installation (Background).","Regulatory authority and decision-maker identified — issued by CASA delegate under subregulation 39.1(1) of CAR 1998 (preamble; signature line), limiting discretion in this instance.","Who pays and who acts — aircraft owners/operators and their maintenance organisations bear inspection and replacement costs and must perform the actions (Requirement; Compliance).","Low interpretive complexity but nonzero operational burden — technicians must determine washer orientation and follow ASB instructions; parts replacement may create supply or scheduling impacts (Requirement; Compliance).","Cross-reference to foreign authority — notes Transport Canada CF-2002-46, adding an international-source reference though no extra actions in the AD itself (Note)."],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires operators of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 407 helicopters to inspect both swashplate drive link cup washers (P/N 406-010-412-101) and replace any installed upside down, following Bell ASB 407-02-55, before the aircraft flies again. The directive responds to two incidents of drive-link stud failure suspected to be caused by incorrect washer installation, and therefore imposes immediate inspection, possible part replacement and associated maintenance time and costs on owners and maintenance providers."},"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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in a specific aircraft model. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of correcting an unsafe condition related to swashplate drive link washer installation."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 250 words)","Only 1 defined term (Part Number/P/N)","No cross-references to other legislation beyond a single note referencing Transport Canada document","Simple conditional logic: inspect → if incorrect then replace","Single applicability criterion (specific helicopter model)","Clear, unambiguous compliance deadline (prior to further flight)"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD orders immediate, mandatory inspections of Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Model 407 helicopters to verify a specific cup-shaped washer (P/N 406-010-412-101) wasn’t installed upside down; any incorrect washer must be replaced before further flight. It affects Bell 407 owners/operators and addresses two swashplate drive link stud failures that could cause catastrophic rotor loss. Effective 11 November 2002."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-23-swashplate-drive-link","history":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-23-swashplate-drive-link/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-23-swashplate-drive-link/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-23-swashplate-drive-link/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-23-swashplate-drive-link/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-bell-407-23-swashplate-drive-link/documents"}}