{"id":"F2006B08784","name":"AD/DAUPHIN/8 - Horizontal Stabiliser Spar Tube - Inspection","slug":"ad-dauphin-8-horizontal-stabiliser-spar-tube-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":52118,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B08784-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/DAUPHIN/8 - Horizontal Stabiliser Spar Tube - Inspection","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)  Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters\n\n \n\nAD/DAUPHIN/8 Horizontal Stabiliser Spar Tube - Inspection 11/81\n\nApplicability: All SA360C & SA365C/C1 & C2. Document:  Dauphin Telex SB No. 05.06.\n\nNote: Magnetic particle inspection may be used in lieu of dye penetrant.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Within 10 hours time in service after 9 October 1981 and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 50 hours time in service.\n\n \n\nBackground: There have been three cases of fatigue failure of the stabiliser spar tube on overseas operated helicopters.\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\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive applies to the stabiliser spar tube on the listed Dauphin models and prescribes periodic inspections; the document contains no indication that the scope was altered from that stated purpose. (Applicability; Compliance; Background)"},"complexity_factors":["Narrow technical scope limited to specific helicopter models (SA360C; SA365C/C1 & C2). (Applicability)","Single required action type: repeated inspection of one component. (Compliance)","Clear timing requirements stated in service-hours (10 hours then every 50 hours). (Compliance)","Reference to an external service telex for procedural detail requires accessing another document. (Document)","Choice of two non-destructive test methods (dye penetrant or magnetic particle) introduces a minor procedural choice. (Note)","No layered reporting, approval, or corrective-action protocol specified in the text provided (reduces procedural complexity)."],"plain_english_summary":"The Civil Aviation Safety Authority requires recurring non‑destructive inspections of the horizontal stabiliser spar tube on specified Eurocopter Dauphin models to detect fatigue after overseas failures. Owners/operators of SA360C and SA365 variants must perform the inspections on tight intervals, bear the costs, and follow the referenced telex for procedure; magnetic particle inspection is permitted as an alternative."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical failure mode in specific aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating inspections for fatigue cracks in the horizontal stabiliser spar tube."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words of substantive content)","Only 1 defined term implicitly referenced ('time in service' — standard aviation term)","No cross-references to other legislation beyond the enabling regulation (CAR 1998 Part 39)","Simple conditional structure: single compliance requirement with clear timeframe","Single exception/alternative permitted (magnetic particle inspection in lieu of dye penetrant)","No nested exceptions or complex logical operators","Straightforward applicability criteria (specific aircraft models only)"],"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 helicopters.\n\n**What it does:**\nIt requires owners and operators of certain Eurocopter Dauphin helicopters (models SA360C, SA365C, C1, and C2) to inspect a critical part called the **horizontal stabiliser spar tube**. This is a structural component that helps keep the helicopter stable during flight.\n\n**Who it affects:**\nAnyone who owns or operates these specific Dauphin helicopter models in Australia.\n\n**What they must do:**\n- **First inspection:** Within 10 hours of flying time after 9 October 1981\n- **Ongoing inspections:** Every 50 hours of flying time thereafter\n- **Method:** Use dye penetrant testing (a way to detect cracks) or magnetic particle inspection (an alternative crack-detection method)\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThree overseas helicopters had this part fail due to **metal fatigue** (when metal weakens and cracks after repeated stress). Fatigue failure of a stabiliser spar could cause loss of control or crash. This directive prevents accidents by catching cracks before they cause catastrophic failure.\n\n**The bottom line:** If you fly one of these helicopters, you must regularly check this specific part for cracks or face regulatory consequences — and more importantly, risk a serious accident."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-dauphin-8-horizontal-stabiliser-spar-tube-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-dauphin-8-horizontal-stabiliser-spar-tube-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-dauphin-8-horizontal-stabiliser-spar-tube-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-dauphin-8-horizontal-stabiliser-spar-tube-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-dauphin-8-horizontal-stabiliser-spar-tube-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-dauphin-8-horizontal-stabiliser-spar-tube-inspection/documents"}}