{"id":"F2007L01599","name":"AD/ECUREUIL/122 Amdt 1 - Emergency Flotation Gear","slug":"ad-ecureuil-122-amdt-1-emergency-flotation-gear","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":66170,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2007L01599-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/122 Amdt 1 | Emergency Flotation Gear | 7/2007 |\n| ---------------------- | ------------------------ | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | EC 130 B4 helicopters, all serial numbers, modified in accordance with Eurocopter MOD 073774 (Installation of screws/nuts in place of the attachments of the lower fairings with “blind” nuts) and not embodying Eurocopter MOD 073591 or drawing 350A085340. |\n| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement: | 1. For affected EC 130 B4 helicopters not modified in accordance with Eurocopter drawing 350A085342 - If not previously accomplished in accordance with the original issue of this Directive check the condition of the electrical harnesses and the attachment, carry out the corrective actions if necessary and protect the electrical harnesses in accordance with the instructions described in paragraphs 2.B.1 through 2.B.3 (corresponding to Eurocopter drawing 350A085342) and 2.B.5 of Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 88A001 dated 10 November 2006 or later approved version. |\n| | 2. Check the condition of the electrical harnesses, carry out the corrective actions and install the clamp blocks in accordance with the instructions described in paragraphs 2.B.1, 2.B.2.a, 2.B.4 (corresponding to Eurocopter drawing 350A085340) and 2.B.5 of ASB 88A001 or later approved version. |\n| | Note 1: Compliance with Requirement 2 within 10 flight hours after the effective date of this Amendment makes compliance with Requirement 1 redundant. |\n| | Note 2: EASA AD 2006-0344 R1 refers. |\n| Compliance: | For Requirement 1 - Within 10 hours time in service (TIS) after the effective date this Amendment. |\n| | For Requirement 2 - Remains unchanged as ‘Within 550 hours TIS or within 2 years after the effective date of this Directive, whichever occurs first”. |\n| | This Amendment becomes effective on 5 July 2007. |\n| Background: | Eurocopter has advised the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) of a report of an in flight incident which led to the inflation of the emergency floatation gear and the activation of various warnings. |\n\n| | Investigations have revealed that a screw that secures the RH lower centre fairing interfered with an electrical harness and caused several short circuits, resulting in the inflation of the emergency floatation gear. |\n| --- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| | The purpose of the original issue of this Directive was to detect and prevent any interference between the electrical harnesses and the bottom structure fairing attachment screws post MOD 073774. Embodiment of a modification in accordance with Eurocopter drawing 350A085342 is considered to be a temporary (interim) solution, to ensure that there is no interference. Embodiment of a modification in accordance with Eurocopter drawing 350A085340 is the permanent solution that can be applied according to the availability of the helicopter and components. |\n| | This Amendment continues the requirements of the original issue of the Directive but also identifies that new helicopters that have embodied Eurocopter MOD 073591 are not affected by the airworthiness directive. |\n| | The original issue of this Directive became effective on16 November 2006. |\n\n![](image.001.png) \nCharles Lenarcic \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n15 May 2007","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/ECUREUIL/122 Amdt 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/ECUREUIL/122 Amdt 1","content":"## AD/ECUREUIL/122 Amdt 1","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Emergency Flotation Gear","sectionType":"part","heading":"Emergency Flotation Gear","content":"## Emergency Flotation Gear","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"7/2007","sectionType":"part","heading":"7/2007","content":"## 7/2007","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment does not expand the Directive’s original safety objective. It continues the original requirements to detect and prevent interference between the lower fairing attachment screws and electrical harnesses, while clarifying and narrowing applicability: helicopters that already embody MOD 073591 (or the permanent drawing 350A085340) are not affected. The amendment also formalises the two-route approach (interim drawing 350A085342 vs permanent 350A085340) and confirms compliance timeframes; it therefore adjusts and clarifies scope but does not grow the Directive significantly beyond its original purpose (see \"Applicability\", \"Requirement\" and \"Background\")."},"complexity_factors":["Short document with a single safety issue and limited number of operative requirements (two main Requirements).","Several cross-references to external materials: Eurocopter drawings 350A085340 and 350A085342, Eurocopter MOD numbers (073774, 073591), and ASB 88A001 (including the phrase \"or later approved version\").","Two-stage compliance logic with conditional redundancy (Note 1: compliance with Requirement 2 within 10 flight hours makes Requirement 1 redundant).","Different compliance timeframes: Requirement 1 = 10 flight hours; Requirement 2 = 550 flight hours or 2 years, whichever occurs first.","An applicability carve-out (helicopters that embody MOD 073591 or drawing 350A085340 are not affected) which narrows scope.","References to a regulatory approval process (\"later approved version\") introduce some external conditionality and minor administrative discretion."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this airworthiness directive does (mechanically)\n\n- Requires operators of certain Eurocopter EC 130 B4 helicopters to inspect the electrical wiring (electrical harnesses) under the lower centre fairing, fix any damage or chafing found, protect the harnesses, and in many cases install clamp blocks to secure the wiring. (See \"Requirement\" and \"Compliance\".)\n\n- There are two inspection/modification routes: an interim protection modification (Eurocopter drawing 350A085342 as described in the Service Bulletin) or the permanent solution that installs clamp blocks and related parts (Eurocopter drawing 350A085340 as described in the Service Bulletin). If you fit the permanent solution quickly, the interim action is unnecessary. (See \"Requirement\" and Note 1.)\n\n- The work must follow the steps and illustrations in Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 88A001 dated 10 November 2006, or a later version approved by the regulator. (See \"Requirement\" and the references to the ASB.)\n\n- Time limits: the interim inspection/protection (Requirement 1) must be done within 10 flight hours after this amendment’s effective date if it hasn't already been done; the permanent solution (Requirement 2) must be done within 550 flight hours or 2 years after the effective date, whichever comes first. (See \"Compliance\".)\n\n- Some helicopters are excluded: EC 130 B4 helicopters that already have Eurocopter MOD 073591 embodied (or that already embody the permanent drawing 350A085340) are not affected. (See \"Applicability\" and Background.)\n\nWhy the rule exists (the stated safety concern)\n\n- Eurocopter reported an in‑flight incident where a screw that secures the right-hand lower centre fairing contacted an electrical harness, caused short circuits, triggered warnings and led to the inflation of the emergency flotation gear. The directive aims to detect and prevent that interference so the flotation gear cannot inflate unintentionally. (See \"Background\".)\n\nWho pays, who decides, and how behaviour changes\n\n- Who pays: the helicopter owner/operator. They must allocate maintenance labour, possible parts (clamps/fasteners) and downtime to complete the inspections and modifications (Requirements 1 and 2). (See \"Requirement\" and \"Compliance\".)\n\n- Who decides: the operator or its authorised maintenance organisation decides when to schedule the work, but must follow the ASB instructions and meet the mandated compliance periods. The regulator (Civil Aviation Safety Authority, as delegate) enforces compliance and approves later versions of the ASB referenced. (See references to the ASB and the delegate signature.)\n\n- Behaviour change: operators must inspect and secure harnesses under the lower fairing rather than leave them unsecured; they may prioritise the permanent clamp installation (drawing 350A085340) to avoid repeating interim work.\n\nPractical costs, incentives and trade-offs (concrete mechanics)\n\n- Direct costs: maintenance labour, potential small parts, and aircraft downtime while the work is done. The permanent solution may require parts availability; the ASB notes that the permanent fix may be applied according to helicopter/component availability. (See Background and Requirement 2.)\n\n- Incentives: operators face a trade-off between doing the quick interim protection immediately (10 flight hours) or scheduling the permanent clamp installation within the longer window (550 flight hours/2 years). Note 1 creates an incentive to complete the permanent fix quickly because doing so within 10 flight hours makes the interim action redundant.\n\n- Compliance burden and approvals: work must follow a manufacturer Service Bulletin (ASB 88A001) \"or later approved version,\" which gives the regulator discretion to accept later revisions. Operators need access to the ASB, the Eurocopter drawings cited, and either their own approved maintenance organisation or a certificated provider who can perform the modification.\n\n- Effects on private enterprise and market choice: the directive does not change ownership, operating rules, or economic regulatory settings. It creates short-term demand for maintenance services and parts. If parts or specialised fittings are scarce, there is a small risk that authorised/brand-affiliated MROs (maintenance organisations) would capture that work, but an approved independent MRO can carry out the work if it follows the ASB and regulator approvals. (See \"Requirement\" and references to Eurocopter drawings/ASB.)\n\n- Implementation risk: the safety problem arises from an interaction (screw contacting harness). The directive's measures are mechanical and prescriptive; their success depends on correct embodiment to the drawings and standard maintenance practices.\n\nOfficial purpose claims and a brief test against costs/trade-offs\n\n- Official claim: prevent unintended inflation of emergency flotation gear by removing interference between fairing screws and electrical harnesses (Background). The cure is targeted: inspect, protect, and clamp wiring. This directly addresses the fault mechanism identified (screw-to-harness contact). The main costs are maintenance time, parts and possible short-term operational disruption; the amendment balances that by allowing an interim quick fix plus a longer window for the permanent installation. (See \"Requirement\", Notes and \"Compliance\".)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Amendment 1 maintains the original scope of the directive. It continues the same safety requirements but clarifies applicability by explicitly excluding helicopters that have embodied Eurocopter MOD 073591 (newer helicopters already fixed at manufacture). This is a refinement rather than scope expansion — the core purpose (preventing electrical interference with flotation gear) remains unchanged."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to external technical documents (Eurocopter MOD numbers, drawing numbers 350A085340 and 350A085342, Emergency Alert Service Bulletin 88A001)","Conditional applicability logic: applies only to helicopters with MOD 073774 AND without MOD 073591 OR drawing 350A085340","Two-tier compliance structure with interdependent requirements (Requirement 2 compliance makes Requirement 1 redundant)","Dual compliance timeframes (10 hours TIS vs 550 hours TIS/2 years)","Technical aviation terminology requiring specialized knowledge (TIS = Time In Service, MOD = Modification, ASB = Alert Service Bulletin, fairing, harnesses)","Nested conditions in Requirement 1 ('If not previously accomplished in accordance with the original issue')","Reference to European regulator (EASA AD 2006-0344 R1) indicating harmonized international regulatory framework"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive orders owners/operators of Eurocopter EC130 B4 helicopters modified by MOD 073774 (excluding those with MOD 073591 or drawing 350A085340) to inspect and repair wiring where a lower-fairing screw can rub and short-circuit the emergency flotation system. \n\nOperators must perform a quick protective repair within 10 flight hours or a permanent clamp-block installation within 550 flight hours or 2 years. The AD prevents dangerous, unintended inflation of flotation gear in flight."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-122-amdt-1-emergency-flotation-gear","history":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-122-amdt-1-emergency-flotation-gear/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-122-amdt-1-emergency-flotation-gear/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-122-amdt-1-emergency-flotation-gear/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-122-amdt-1-emergency-flotation-gear/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-122-amdt-1-emergency-flotation-gear/documents"}}