{"id":"F2006B09340","name":"AD/ECUREUIL/31 Amdt 1 - Rear RH & LH Steps","slug":"ad-ecureuil-31-amdt-1-rear-rh-lh-steps","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53545,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09340-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ECUREUIL/31 Amdt 1 - Rear RH & LH Steps","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nEurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters\n\nAD/ECUREUIL/31\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \nRear RH & LH Steps 10/87\n\nApplicability: All model AS 350 equipped with both raised skid-type landing gear and emergency flotation gear installations and which are not modified in accordance with Aerospatiale modification AMS 350 A07-1755.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with Aerospatiale AS 350 Telex Service 32-06A.\n\nNote: Bureau Veritas AD 86-30-43(B) refers.\n\nCompliance: Unless already accomplished, prior to 18 April 1986 and thereafter at each installation of the emergency flotation equipment.\n\nBackground: The possibility of interference between the steps fitted to the raised skid type landing gear and the RH and LH flotation bags in the inflated configuration has been noted. This Directive has been reissued to ensure removal of the steps to preclude flotation bag puncture on pre-mod AMS 350 A07-1755 aircraft.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive reiterates and enforces the original safety objective: remove the rear RH and LH steps on AS 350 aircraft with raised skids and emergency flotation gear that have not had AMS 350 A07-1755 fitted, to prevent flotation bag puncture. The reissue is described in the text as intended to ensure removal on pre-modification aircraft rather than to expand or narrow the class of affected aircraft. (Background; Applicability)"},"complexity_factors":["Narrow technical scope (specific helicopter model and specific equipment combination). (Applicability)","Mandatory action is short and singular (remove steps), reducing substantive legal complexity. (Requirement)","Cross-references to external technical documents (Aerospatiale AS 350 Telex Service 32-06A) and an earlier modification (AMS 350 A07-1755) require consultation of other documents to implement. (Requirement; Applicability)","Recurring compliance trigger (each installation of the emergency flotation equipment) adds operational compliance complexity. (Compliance)","Reference to another authority document (Bureau Veritas AD) creates an additional source to check. (Note)"],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires owners/operators of certain Eurocopter AS350 (Écureuil) helicopters with raised skid landing gear and emergency flotation gear to remove the rear right‑ and left‑hand steps—unless already modified by Aerospatiale AMS 350 A07‑1755—to prevent the steps puncturing fully inflated flotation bags. Removal must follow Aerospatiale Telex Service 32‑06A, be completed by 18 April 1986 if not already done, and repeated whenever flotation gear is reinstalled."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard, narrow airworthiness directive focused on a specific mechanical interference issue. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical action required (remove steps)","Narrow applicability: only 3 conditions must be met (specific model + specific landing gear + specific flotation gear + lack of specific modification)","No defined terms section","No cross-references to other legislation (only references to manufacturer documents)","Clear compliance deadline and recurring trigger (each installation)","Background explanation provided in plain language"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Think of it like a recall notice for aircraft, but legally binding.\n\n**What it does:** It orders the **removal of rear left and right steps** from specific Eurocopter AS 350 helicopters (nicknamed \"Ecureuil\" or \"Squirrel\").\n\n**Who it affects:** Owners and operators of AS 350 helicopters that have:\n- Raised skid-type landing gear (legs that stick up higher than standard)\n- Emergency flotation gear (inflatable bags for water landings)\n- **AND** have NOT been modified according to a specific factory fix called \"AMS 350 A07-1755\"\n\n**Why it matters:** The steps can **puncture the emergency flotation bags** when they inflate. If a helicopter ditches in water and the bags pop, the aircraft sinks. This directive prevents drowning accidents by forcing removal of the problematic steps before the flotation gear is used.\n\n**When to comply:** \n- By **18 April 1986** (for existing aircraft at the time)\n- **Every time** flotation equipment is installed thereafter\n\n**Key point:** This is an **updated version** (Amendment 1) of a 1987 directive, reissued to make sure pre-modification helicopters get the steps removed."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-31-amdt-1-rear-rh-lh-steps","history":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-31-amdt-1-rear-rh-lh-steps/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-31-amdt-1-rear-rh-lh-steps/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-31-amdt-1-rear-rh-lh-steps/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-31-amdt-1-rear-rh-lh-steps/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-31-amdt-1-rear-rh-lh-steps/documents"}}