{"id":"F2006L03173","name":"AD/ECUREUIL/113 Amdt 1 - Engine Controls - Twist Grip Assembly","slug":"ad-ecureuil-113-amdt-1-engine-controls-twist-grip-assembly","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":60470,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006L03173-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","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/113 Amdt 1 | Engine Controls - Twist Grip Assembly | 12/2006 DM |\n| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ---------- |\n\n| Applicability: | EUROCOPTER EC 130 B4 helicopters fitted with twist grips not modified per modification 073773.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |\n| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |\n| Requirement:   | 1. Perform a functional check of the twist grip assembly and check its condition in accordance with paragraph 2.B.2. of EUROCOPTER Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 05A003 original issue or later DGAC approved revision.2. Modify the twist grip assemblies in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of EUROCOPTER ASB No. 67A009 original issue or later DGAC approved revision.Note 1: Compliance with Requirement 2 of this AD provides terminating action to Requirement 1 of this AD.Note 2: EASA AD 2006-0272 dated 4 September 2006 refers. This AD supersedes DGAC AD F-2005-145. |\n| Compliance:    | 1. Unless already carried out during the previous “100-hour or 12-month” inspection, no later than within the next 30 flying hours after the effective of this AD, then at intervals not exceeding 110 flying hours; andEach time work is carried out in the area of the twist grip assembly, which may lead to ingress of chips or foreign bodies.2. For installed twist grips, no later than 31 December 2006.For twist grips held as spares, before installation in the helicopter.                                                                                               |\n|                | This Amendment becomes effective on 27 September 2006.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |\n| Background:    | This Airworthiness Directive was issued following two reports of twist grip jamming in the \"IDLE\" position.This amendment maintains the inspection requirements and mandates modifications which will allow for the cessation of the inspections.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |\n\n|     | The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on26 September 2005. |\n| --- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nJames Coyne  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n21 September 2006","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/ECUREUIL/113 Amdt 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/ECUREUIL/113 Amdt 1","content":"## AD/ECUREUIL/113 Amdt 1","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Engine Controls - Twist Grip Assembly","sectionType":"part","heading":"Engine Controls - Twist Grip Assembly","content":"## Engine Controls - Twist Grip Assembly","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"12/2006 DM","sectionType":"part","heading":"12/2006 DM","content":"## 12/2006 DM","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Compared with the original AD issued in 2005 (which established inspection requirements), this amendment preserves the inspection regime but adds a mandatory modification as a terminating action. In other words, the scope expanded from imposing only recurring inspections to also requiring a one‑time equipment modification (and setting deadlines for installed parts and spares). The amendment therefore shifts some burden from repeated inspections to a mandatory modification requirement, changing the compliance pathway for affected operators."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-references to two Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletins (ASB No. 05A003 and ASB No. 67A009) which must be consulted for procedural detail","Reference to external regulator documents (EASA AD 2006-0272 and superseded DGAC AD F-2005-145)","Conditional inspection triggers (both time-based and event-based: within 30 flying hours, repeating every 110 flying hours, and after any work that may permit debris ingress)","Different treatment for installed twist grips versus spare parts (calendar deadline vs modification-before-installation)","Terminology dependence: the AD's applicability is limited to helicopters not modified under modification 073773","Terminating action structure: Requirement 2 cancels Requirement 1 once completed (creates dependency between actions)","Short, prescriptive document with limited internal definitions (requires external documents for technical steps)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- This Airworthiness Directive (AD) applies to EUROCOPTER EC 130 B4 helicopters that still have the original-style twist grip assemblies (that is, those not modified under modification 073773).\n- It requires two things:\n  - Requirement 1: Regular functional checks and condition inspections of the engine twist grip assembly, carried out in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 05A003 (paragraph 2.B.2.), at the specified intervals and whenever maintenance in the twist-grip area could allow contamination.\n  - Requirement 2: A one-time modification of the twist grip assemblies as specified in Eurocopter ASB No. 67A009 (paragraph 2.B.). Completing Requirement 2 stops the need for the recurring inspections required by Requirement 1 (Requirement 2 is the \"terminating action\").\n- The AD cross-references the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2006-0272 and supersedes an earlier DGAC AD (F-2005-145).\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- Owners and operators of EUROCOPTER EC 130 B4 helicopters that are fitted with unmodified twist grip assemblies.\n- Maintenance organisations and engineers who carry out inspections and modifications on those helicopters.\n\n**Why it matters (risk and operational effect)**\n\n- The AD was issued after two incidents where the twist grip (the engine power control on the helicopter's collective or throttle) jammed in the IDLE position. A jammed twist grip can affect power control and therefore safety of flight.\n- The AD’s inspections identify worn or contaminated components that could lead to jamming. The mandated modification changes the assembly so that the recurring inspection requirement can cease once the modification is installed.\n\n**Deadlines and key compliance rules (how it works in practice)**\n\n- If the inspection was not already done during the previous 100‑hour or 12‑month inspection, perform the first functional/condition check within 30 flying hours from the AD's effective date, then repeat at intervals not exceeding 110 flying hours. Also perform the inspection any time maintenance in the twist-grip area might allow chips/foreign bodies to enter the assembly.\n- The required modification (Requirement 2) must be completed by 31 December 2006 for twist grips already installed. Twist grips kept as spares must be modified before installation.\n- Completing the modification removes the need to keep performing the periodic inspections required by Requirement 1.\n\n**Who pays, who decides, and what changes in behaviour**\n\n- Operators pay for the inspections and for the parts and labour to perform the modification. Maintenance providers charge for the work and must follow the Eurocopter ASBs referenced.\n- The regulator (Civil Aviation Safety Authority delegate) enforces compliance with the AD.\n- Operators must schedule additional inspections until the modification is installed; after modification, operators stop the recurring inspections required by the AD.\n\n**Costs, incentives and trade-offs**\n\n- Direct costs: labour and parts for the one‑off modification; labour time for recurring inspections until modification; potential downtime while the helicopter is out of service for modification/inspection.\n- Incentive structure: installing the modification is a one‑time cost that removes a recurring inspection burden, creating a clear economic incentive to modify soon. Operators who delay modification continue to incur inspection costs and operational scheduling impacts.\n- Opportunity cost: hangar time and maintenance capacity used for this AD work could displace other maintenance or revenue flights.\n\n**Implementation risks and compliance burden**\n\n- The AD requires technicians to follow specific Eurocopter ASBs (05A003 and 67A009). This creates dependency on availability of those documents, parts and possibly approved workmanship/shops.\n- Cross-references to EASA and DGAC material mean operators or maintainers must ensure they follow the currently approved revision of the ASBs (the AD requires the original issue or any later DGAC-approved revision).\n- The conditional inspection trigger (\"each time work is carried out in the area of the twist grip assembly which may lead to ingress of chips or foreign bodies\") requires maintenance staff to assess whether unrelated work mandates another inspection — this is a judgment that affects workload and recordkeeping.\n\n**Practical note**\n\n- The AD distinguishes installed parts and spares: spares must be modified before fitting, and installed parts had a calendar deadline for modification (31 December 2006). The AD also contains a short initial inspection schedule (30 flying hours) and a continuing interval (110 flying hours) until the terminating modification is done.\n\n(References in this summary: Requirement 1 and Requirement 2; Compliance section; Background.)"},"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":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard amendment to an existing Airworthiness Directive. The original AD (effective September 2005) required repetitive inspections. This amendment maintains those inspections but adds a mandatory modification with a firm deadline (31 December 2006) to eliminate the need for ongoing inspections. The scope remains tightly focused on the specific twist grip jamming hazard and has not expanded beyond this safety-critical hardware issue."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose instrument (only 2 requirements plus compliance dates)","Only 1 defined applicability criterion (helicopter model + modification status)","Cross-references to 2 external Eurocopter service bulletins (ASB 05A003 and ASB 67A009), but these are standard aviation maintenance references","Simple conditional logic: 'unless already carried out' exemption for recent inspections","Clear terminating action (modification ends inspection requirement)","No nested exceptions or complex definitional sections"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD mandates inspections and eventual modification of twist grip controls on certain Eurocopter AS350 and EC130 B4 helicopters if not modified per factory mod 073773. Operators must inspect the twist grip within 30 flight hours (and every 110 hours thereafter or after work near the grip) per Eurocopter guidance, and complete the required modification (Eurocopter SB 67A009) by 31 December 2006; spares must be modified before installation.\n\nIt addresses two reported jams in the IDLE position that can prevent power increase in flight."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-113-amdt-1-engine-controls-twist-grip-assembly","history":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-113-amdt-1-engine-controls-twist-grip-assembly/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-113-amdt-1-engine-controls-twist-grip-assembly/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-113-amdt-1-engine-controls-twist-grip-assembly/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-113-amdt-1-engine-controls-twist-grip-assembly/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-113-amdt-1-engine-controls-twist-grip-assembly/documents"}}