{"id":"F2008L00006","name":"AD/ECUREUIL/129 - Seat Electrical Bonding Modification","slug":"ad-ecureuil-129-seat-electrical-bonding-modification","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":72102,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2008L00006-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/129 | Seat Electrical Bonding Modification | 2/2008 DM |\n| --------------- | ------------------------------------ | --------- |\n\n| Applicability: | All EC 130B4 Helicopters, pre Eurocopter Mod 073380, fitted with Sicma Type 159 energy absorbing seats.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |\n| -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | Remove the electric bonding strap of Sicma Type 159 energy absorbing seats as instructed in Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 25A025.Note: EASA AD 2007-0311.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |\n| Compliance:    | Within the next 110 Flight Hours but no later than 3 months, after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 4 January 2008.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |\n| Background:    | The Sicma type 159 energy-absorbing seat is electrically bonded with a braided bonding strap. This bonding strap is secured to the base of the seat with a screw and nut assembly, the head which is in line with one of the two seat energy absorbers. In the event of a “crash” landing with very rapid deceleration and with a corpulent person occupying the seat, this screw may interfere with the “energy absorbing” function. This affects conformity with the EC130 certification requirements.An analysis made recently by Eurocopter shows that this “electrical bonding” braided strap is not necessary. Consequently, this Airworthiness Directive mandates the removal of the electrical bonding strap. |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nDavid Punshon  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n3 January 2008","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/ECUREUIL/129","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/ECUREUIL/129","content":"## AD/ECUREUIL/129","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Seat Electrical Bonding Modification","sectionType":"part","heading":"Seat Electrical Bonding Modification","content":"## Seat Electrical Bonding Modification","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"2/2008 DM","sectionType":"part","heading":"2/2008 DM","content":"## 2/2008 DM","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive retains a narrowly focused safety objective: restore conformity with EC130 certification by removing a specific braided bonding strap that may interfere with the seat’s energy‑absorbing function (Background; Requirement). It does not broaden to other seats, aircraft types, or unrelated systems, nor does the text indicate an expansion beyond the specified configuration or remedy."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow technical scope limited to EC130B4 helicopters with Sicma Type 159 seats (Applicability).","Single, discrete maintenance action (removal of braided bonding strap) but must follow manufacturer’s Alert Service Bulletin (Requirement).","Compliance deadline creates operational scheduling and possible downtime (110 flight hours or 3 months) (Compliance).","Safety‑critical trade‑off: removal alters electrical bonding practice while addressing a mechanical interference risk (Background).","Regulatory alignment: references EASA AD 2007‑0311 and relies on Eurocopter analysis, constraining discretionary options for operators.","Enforcement and recordkeeping burden falls on aircraft operators and maintenance organisations; cost and time not quantified in the text."],"plain_english_summary":"Mandates removal of the braided electrical bonding strap from Sicma Type 159 energy‑absorbing seats on EC130B4 helicopters (those built before Eurocopter Mod 073380), to be done within 110 flight hours or 3 months (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance). CASA issued the directive after Eurocopter found the strap unnecessary and that its securing screw might impede the seat’s energy‑absorbing function in a high‑deceleration crash; operators must carry out the removal per Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 25A025."},"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 technical safety issue with a specific aircraft component. The scope remains tightly focused on the identified defect and mandated remedy."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific applicability criterion (EC 130B4 helicopters with Sicma Type 159 seats, pre-Mod 073380)","One clear action required (remove bonding strap per specified Service Bulletin)","Simple compliance timeframe (110 flight hours or 3 months)","No defined terms section, no cross-references to other legislation, no conditional exceptions","Straightforward background explanation with clear causal logic"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires removing a braided electrical bonding strap from Sicma Type 159 energy‑absorbing seats installed on certain Eurocopter EC 130B4 helicopters. The strap’s attachment screw can obstruct the seat’s crash‑protection function in a hard landing, so removal eliminates that hazard without compromising electrical safety. It applies to owners/operators without Mod 073380 and must be done within 110 flight hours or 3 months from 4 January 2008."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-129-seat-electrical-bonding-modification","history":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-129-seat-electrical-bonding-modification/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-129-seat-electrical-bonding-modification/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-129-seat-electrical-bonding-modification/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-129-seat-electrical-bonding-modification/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-129-seat-electrical-bonding-modification/documents"}}