{"id":"F2006B09314","name":"AD/EC 120/8 Amdt 1 - Rotor Flight Controls - Cyclic Pitch Control Sticks","slug":"ad-ec-120-8-amdt-1-rotor-flight-controls-cyclic-pitch-control-sticks","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53439,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09314-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/EC 120/8 Amdt 1 - Rotor Flight Controls - Cyclic Pitch Control Sticks","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nAIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/EC 120/8 and issues the following 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 EC 120 Series Helicopters\n\nAD/EC 120/8\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \n\nRotor Flight Controls \\- Cyclic Pitch Control Sticks\n\n  \n7/2004\n\nApplicability: Model EC 120 B helicopters with serial numbers below serial number 1323.\n\nRequirement: 1. Secure the bonding braid temporarily, or install the bonding braid permanent attachment system, in accordance with the instructions given respectively in paragraphs 2.B.1 and 2.B.2 of Eurocopter EC 120 Alert Service Bulletin No. 67A008.\n\n2. Unless the bonding braid permanent attachment system has already been installed in accordance with requirement 1 above, install the bonding braid permanent attachment system in accordance with the instructions given in paragraph 2.B.2 of Eurocopter EC 120 Alert Service Bulletin No. 67A008.\n\nNote: DGAC AD F-2002- 371-010 R1 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. No later than 10 flying hours after 24 July 2002.\n\n2. No later than 500 flying hours or 12 months after 24 July 2002, whichever occurs first.\n\nThe compliance times remain unchanged by this issue. This Amendment becomes effective on 8 July 2004.\n\nBackground: This Directive was issued following an incident involving the twisting of an electrical bonding braid at the base of the cyclic pitch stick, which restricted the movement of the cyclic pitch stick.\n\nAmendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the related DGAC AD, which converts the previous Alert Telex Requirement document to an Alert Service Bulletin, with a change to applicability but no change to the technical content.\n\nEurocopter EC 120 Series Helicopters\n\nAD/EC 120/8 Amdt 1 (continued)\n\nThe original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 24 July 2002.\n\n![Signature of David Villiers, Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.](image.002.png)  \n\nDavid Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 May 2004\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 16 June 2004.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Amendment 1 altered the reference document (converting an Alert Telex/Requirement into an Alert Service Bulletin) and adjusted the stated applicability, but it did not change the technical requirements or the compliance deadlines. Therefore the instrument has not grown significantly beyond its original safety-oriented purpose; the scope of required corrective work and the compliance timetable remain the same."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-subject instrument (two required actions only).","Single aircraft model affected (Eurocopter EC 120 B) with a simple serial-number cutoff (below 1323).","Two concrete compliance deadlines (10 flying hours; 500 flying hours or 12 months, whichever occurs first).","Cross-reference to one external manufacturer document: Eurocopter EC 120 Alert Service Bulletin No. 67A008 (detailed technical steps are delegated there).","Minor cross-reference to DGAC AD and to CASR subregulation 39.1(1).","No layered exceptions or multiple conditional branches beyond the standard 'whichever occurs first' clause.","Amendment changes only the format/reference of the service document and the applicability wording; no added obligations or new timelines."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically):**\n\n- Requires operators of Eurocopter EC 120 B helicopters (serial numbers below 1323) to either temporarily secure the electrical bonding braid at the base of the cyclic pitch control stick or to install a manufacturer-supplied permanent attachment system for that braid.  (See \"Requirement\" paragraphs 1–2.)\n\n- Gives two discrete actions: a short-term fix (temporary securing) and a longer-term fix (installation of the permanent attachment system).  The temporary action must be done no later than 10 flying hours after 24 July 2002. The permanent attachment must be installed no later than 500 flying hours or 12 months after 24 July 2002, whichever comes first. (See \"Compliance\".)\n\n- Cross-references Eurocopter EC 120 Alert Service Bulletin No. 67A008 for the exact steps to follow when carrying out the temporary securing or the permanent installation. The delegate issued the AD under subregulation 39.1(1) of CASR 1998. (See preamble and Requirement.)\n\n**Who is affected:**\n\n- Owners/operators of Eurocopter EC 120 B helicopters whose serial number is below 1323. Maintenance organisations performing work on these helicopters will also be affected because they must carry out and certify the required work in accordance with the Eurocopter instructions.\n\n**Why it matters (stated safety reason and mechanical effect):**\n\n- The AD was prompted by an incident in which the electrical bonding braid twisted at the base of the cyclic pitch stick and restricted stick movement. Restricted cyclic movement can directly impair control of the helicopter. The AD’s mechanical purpose is to prevent braid twisting so that cyclic movement remains unrestricted.\n\n**How compliance changes operator behaviour and costs:**\n\n- Operators must schedule maintenance interventions within short compliance windows (10 flying hours for the temporary measure; 500 flying hours or 12 months for the permanent measure). That imposes administrative and direct maintenance costs (labour, any parts for the permanent attachment) and may impose aircraft downtime while the work is done.\n\n- The requirement forces a specific corrective method (follow the manufacturer’s Alert Service Bulletin). That concentrates demand on the parts and instructions the manufacturer specifies and requires operators or independent maintainers to follow those instructions to be compliant.\n\n- Verification of compliance will rely on maintenance records and flight-hour tracking (the AD sets flying-hour thresholds and a calendar threshold). Accurate record-keeping is therefore necessary to show compliance.\n\n**Trade-offs, implementation risks and other practical effects:**\n\n- Trade-offs: the AD trades short-term operational disruption and cost for reduced risk of control restriction. The technical remedy is prescribed by the manufacturer’s service bulletin; operators have limited flexibility about alternative fixes unless approved by the regulator.\n\n- Implementation risks: delays in obtaining parts or in scheduling maintenance could push an aircraft into non-compliance; incorrect installation or a poor temporary securement could leave the unsafe condition uncorrected; enforcement depends on recording and audit of maintenance/flight-hour logs.\n\n- Market effects: the AD creates immediate, concentrated demand for the permanent attachment system (if parts are required). Maintenance providers who can supply and install the system may capture that demand; otherwise operators may face lead times or seek authorised repair facilities.\n\n**What changed in this amendment:**\n\n- Amendment 1 updates the referenced manufacturer document from an Alert Telex/Requirement format to the Alert Service Bulletin format and adjusts the stated applicability (serial-number scope) but does not change the technical steps to be carried out or the compliance times. In short: the technical remedy and deadlines remain the same; the paperwork reference and applicability were updated.\n\n**Legal basis and formality:**\n\n- The AD is issued by the CASA delegate under subregulation 39.1(1) of CASR 1998 and is legally binding on operators of the affected helicopters. Failure to comply with an AD can expose an operator to enforcement action.\n\n(References in the AD: \"Requirement\" paragraphs 1–2; \"Compliance\" times; background describing the twisting incident; note that the DGAC AD is also referenced.)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment makes no substantive change to the scope. It is purely administrative — updating the reference document type from 'Alert Telex Requirement' to 'Alert Service Bulletin' in response to a French regulatory change. The applicability, technical requirements, and compliance times remain identical to the original 2002 directive."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific aircraft model and serial number range (narrow applicability)","Two straightforward compliance actions with clear deadlines","Minimal cross-referencing (only to one Eurocopter Service Bulletin and one French DGAC AD)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic","Short document (approximately 300 words)","Only 2 defined terms implicitly used (bonding braid, cyclic pitch control stick — both explained in context)"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive mandates owners/operators of Eurocopter EC120 B helicopters (serials below 1323) fix a twisted electrical bonding braid at the cyclic pitch control stick that can restrict stick movement. \n\nOperators must either secure the braid or fit the permanent attachment within 10 flying hours, and install the permanent system within 500 flying hours or 12 months if not already done. Amendment 1 only updates the document reference; requirements and deadlines are unchanged."},"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"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ec-120-8-amdt-1-rotor-flight-controls-cyclic-pitch-control-sticks","history":"/api/acts/ad-ec-120-8-amdt-1-rotor-flight-controls-cyclic-pitch-control-sticks/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ec-120-8-amdt-1-rotor-flight-controls-cyclic-pitch-control-sticks/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ec-120-8-amdt-1-rotor-flight-controls-cyclic-pitch-control-sticks/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ec-120-8-amdt-1-rotor-flight-controls-cyclic-pitch-control-sticks/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ec-120-8-amdt-1-rotor-flight-controls-cyclic-pitch-control-sticks/documents"}}