{"id":"F2006L00457","name":"AD/EC 120/15 - Spherical Thrust Bearings","slug":"ad-ec-120-15-spherical-thrust-bearings","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":117157,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006L00457-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Eurocopter EC 120 Series Helicopters","sectionType":"division","heading":"Eurocopter EC 120 Series Helicopters","content":"### Eurocopter EC 120 Series Helicopters\n\n| AD/EC 120/15 | Spherical Thrust Bearings | 4/2006 TX |\n| ------------ | ------------------------- | --------- |\n\n| Applicability: | EUROCOPTER EC 120 B helicopters fitted with spherical thrust bearing reference 7050A3622036 with serial numbers LK0130, LK0142, LK0155, and LK0158.                                                                                          |\n| -------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | 1. The spherical thrust bearings listed in the applicability section of this AD are to be removed from service.2. Do not fit spherical thrust bearings listed in the applicability section of this AD.Note: DGAC AD UF-2006-040 Corr refers. |\n| Compliance:    | 1. Before further flight after the effective date of this AD.2. From the effective date of this AD.                                                                                                                                          |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 10 February 2006.                                                                                                                                                                          |\n| Background:    | The DGAC have advised that a batch of spherical thrust bearings have been introduced into service which does not meet specification.                                                                                                         |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nJames Coyne  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n6 February 2006","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/EC 120/15","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/EC 120/15","content":"## AD/EC 120/15","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Spherical Thrust Bearings","sectionType":"part","heading":"Spherical Thrust Bearings","content":"## Spherical Thrust Bearings","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4/2006 TX","sectionType":"part","heading":"4/2006 TX","content":"## 4/2006 TX","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard, narrow Airworthiness Directive targeting a specific defective part batch. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 200 words)","Only 4 specific serial numbers affected — extremely narrow applicability","Two simple, unambiguous requirements (remove and don't install)","Single compliance timeframe (before further flight)","No defined terms section","No cross-references to other legislation (only reference to French authority notice)","No conditional logic or exceptions","Straightforward cause-and-effect: defective part identified → remove part"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD mandates immediate removal and permanent prohibition of four specific spherical thrust bearings (S/N LK0130, LK0142, LK0155, LK0158) from Eurocopter EC120 B helicopters. It affects owners, operators and maintenance organisations fitted with those bearings. The DGAC found manufacturing non‑conformances; because thrust bearings are critical to rotor safety, the directive grounds affected aircraft until compliance."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive addresses a specific non‑conforming batch identified by serial numbers, as stated in the text. The instrument limits action to those parts and prescribes removal and prohibition on refitting; the document contains no indication that the scope was expanded or altered from that remedial objective."},"complexity_factors":["Very narrow applicability — only one helicopter model and four specific bearing serial numbers are affected (clear scope reduces complexity).","Immediate compliance requirement — bearings must be removed before further flight, increasing operational urgency and downtime risk.","Binary remediation — two straightforward actions (remove and do not fit) lower legal and procedural ambiguity.","Cross-reference to DGAC (foreign regulator) advice and DGAC AD UF-2006-040 Corr introduces a minor inter-jurisdictional dependency for source of defect information.","Enforcement and replacement costs fall directly on operators/owners, creating practical logistical and financial burdens despite legal simplicity."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Eurocopter EC 120 B helicopters fitted with spherical thrust bearing ref 7050A3622036 (serials LK0130, LK0142, LK0155, LK0158) to remove those bearings before the next flight and forbids fitting them. CASA cites DGAC advice that the batch does not meet specification. The directive imposes immediate removal/replacement costs on affected operators and forces maintenance and scheduling changes to keep those helicopters grounded until corrected."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ec-120-15-spherical-thrust-bearings","history":"/api/acts/ad-ec-120-15-spherical-thrust-bearings/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ec-120-15-spherical-thrust-bearings/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ec-120-15-spherical-thrust-bearings/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ec-120-15-spherical-thrust-bearings/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ec-120-15-spherical-thrust-bearings/documents"}}