{"id":"F2005L01062","name":"AD/ECUREUIL/110 - Tail Rotor Controls","slug":"ad-ecureuil-110-tail-rotor-controls","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":34675,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2005L01062-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Heli","sectionType":"division","heading":"Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters","content":"### Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters\n\n| AD/ECUREUIL/110 | Tail Rotor Controls | 6/2005 |\n| --------------- | ------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | Model AS 350 B, BA, BB, B1, B2 and D, helicopters fitted with stainless steel-caged ball-type yaw controls part number:- 704A 34-130-068 with automatic flight control system (pre-MOD 072771),- 704A 34-130-058 without automatic flight control system (pre-MOD 072771).                                                                                                                                                                          |\n| -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | 1. Remove the stainless steel-caged ball-type control and install the new Teflon-caged ball-type control in accordance with instructions specified in Paragraph 2 the referenced ASB.2. Do not install on the helicopter any stainless steel-caged ball-type yaw controls as identified in the Applicability section of this Directive.Note: DGAC AD F-2005-042 (EASA approval No. 2005-2235 dated 09 March 2005) refers.                           |\n| Compliance:    | 1. For helicopters with 2000 hours or more Time In Service (TIS)- within 6 months of the effective date of this Directive.For helicopters with less than 2000 hours TIS,- within 6 months after the helicopter has reached 2000 hours TIS and at the latest by 31 March 2006.2. From the effective date of this Directive.Reference Document: EUROCOPTER AS 350 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 67.00.26 R1, or subsequent EASA approved revision. |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 9 June 2005.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |\n\n| Background: | This Airworthiness Directive is issued following multiple cases of binding discovered in the stainless steel-caged ball-type yaw controls which may generate increased control loads or a feeling of seizure at the pedal units. |\n| ----------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nJames Coyne  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n28 April 2005","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/ECUREUIL/110","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/ECUREUIL/110","content":"## AD/ECUREUIL/110","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Tail Rotor Controls","sectionType":"part","heading":"Tail Rotor Controls","content":"## Tail Rotor Controls","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"6/2005","sectionType":"part","heading":"6/2005","content":"## 6/2005","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Airworthiness Directive stays within the original, narrow safety purpose: to eliminate a specific failure mode (binding of stainless steel‑caged ball‑type yaw controls) by mandating replacement with Teflon‑caged units. It does not broaden regulatory scope beyond that objective, nor does it add unrelated requirements. The instrument’s obligations, applicability, and compliance timing are consistent with that targeted remedial intent (see Applicability, Requirement, Compliance, Background)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability (only AS 350 B, BA, BB, B1, B2 and D models)","Only two specific part numbers identified (704A 34-130-068 and 704A 34-130-058)","Single substantive action required (remove stainless steel‑caged control and install Teflon‑caged control)","Two conditional timing rules based on Time In Service (TIS) threshold of 2,000 hours","Clear prohibition on re‑installing the removed stainless steel parts","Reference to one external technical document (EUROCOPTER AS 350 ASB No. 67.00.26 R1) and to DGAC/EASA approval","Single stated safety rationale (binding of stainless steel parts)","Definite effective date provided (9 June 2005)"],"plain_english_summary":"Mandates replacing specified stainless‑steel‑caged tail (yaw) control balls on certain Eurocopter AS350 B/BA/BB/B1/B2/D helicopters with Teflon‑caged units per the Eurocopter ASB, and forbids reinstalling the identified steel parts. Issued after reports of binding that can increase pedal forces, it applies to helicopters with the listed part numbers, sets TIS‑based compliance deadlines, and places costs and maintenance/sign‑off responsibility on owners/operators."},"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 standard, narrow Airworthiness Directive addressing a specific safety defect in specific aircraft. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating replacement of a defective component."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific technical requirement (replace one part with another)","Limited applicability (6 specific helicopter models with 2 specific part numbers)","Straightforward compliance timeline with only two conditional paths based on flight hours","No nested exceptions or complex cross-referencing to other legislation","References only one technical document (Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin)","Short document (approximately 300 words of substantive content)"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety order for aircraft. It applies to specific **Eurocopter AS 350 helicopters** (also known as Ecureuil or 'Squirrel' helicopters) used in Australia.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Orders the replacement** of a specific type of tail rotor control mechanism (the stainless steel-caged ball-type yaw controls) with a newer Teflon-caged version.\n- **Bans reinstallation** of the old stainless steel parts once removed.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThe old stainless steel controls were found to **bind or seize up**, which could make the foot pedals controlling the tail rotor feel stuck or require much more force to operate. In a helicopter, the tail rotor keeps the aircraft from spinning — so if those controls fail or jam, the pilot could lose control of the aircraft.\n\n**Who must comply:**\n- Owners/operators of AS 350 B, BA, BB, B1, B2, and D model helicopters with specific part numbers installed.\n- **Deadline:** Either within 6 months of June 2005, or within 6 months after the helicopter reaches 2,000 flight hours (but no later than March 31, 2006).\n\n**Bottom line:** If you fly or maintain one of these helicopters, you must swap out this specific part by the deadline to keep the aircraft airworthy and safe to fly."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-110-tail-rotor-controls","history":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-110-tail-rotor-controls/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-110-tail-rotor-controls/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-110-tail-rotor-controls/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-110-tail-rotor-controls/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-110-tail-rotor-controls/documents"}}