{"id":"F2006B09350","name":"AD/ECUREUIL/45 - Tail Rotor Pitch Control Lever Expansion Pin","slug":"ad-ecureuil-45-tail-rotor-pitch-control-lever-expansion-pin","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53578,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09350-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ECUREUIL/45 - Tail Rotor Pitch Control Lever Expansion Pin","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 22.10.0\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)  Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters\n\n \n\nAD/ECUREUIL/45 Tail Rotor Pitch Control Lever Expansion Pin 9/91\n\nDM\n\n \n\nApplicability: All AS350 Helicopters versions B, B1, B2 and D.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with the Technical Requirements of DGAC TAD T91-137-059 (B).\n\n \n\nNote: Aerospatiale TSB 01-33 refers.\n\n \n\nCompliance: A specified in the requirement document with revised effective date of 10 July 1991.\n\n \n\nBackground: One lug of the tail rotor gearbox control lever hinge yoke failed through incorrect assembly of the bushes on the expansion pin.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a standard, narrow Airworthiness Directive targeting a specific mechanical defect in specific helicopter models. It has not expanded beyond its original safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words)","Only 1 defined applicability clause (specific helicopter models)","Single requirement referencing external technical document (DGAC TAD T91-137-059)","No nested conditional logic or exceptions","No cross-references to other legislation beyond the parent Civil Aviation Regulations 1998","Straightforward compliance date with no alternative methods or escalations"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety notice issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for specific helicopters.\n\n**What it does:**\nOrders owners and operators of certain Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) helicopters to inspect and fix a dangerous defect in the tail rotor pitch control lever. The problem involves an \"expansion pin\" (a type of fastener that holds parts together) that was being assembled incorrectly, causing a metal lug to break.\n\n**Who it affects:**\nAnyone who owns or operates AS 350 model helicopters — specifically versions B, B1, B2, and D. These are commonly used for tourism, emergency services, and utility work across Australia.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nA broken tail rotor control lever means the pilot could lose control of the helicopter's yaw (the ability to turn left or right). This has caused crashes overseas. The directive forces operators to follow specific French aviation safety instructions (DGAC TAD T91-137-059) to check and correct the assembly before the helicopter can fly.\n\n**Key points:**\n- **Compliance deadline:** 10 July 1991 (this is an old directive, but shows the historical safety record)\n- **Action required:** Follow the French technical document's instructions exactly\n- **Related document:** Aerospatiale TSB 01-33 (a service bulletin from the manufacturer)"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD as presented targets the same specific set of airframes (AS350 versions B, B1, B2 and D) and requires the actions set out in DGAC TAD T91-137-059 (B). The text does not indicate any expansion or narrowing of scope from its original targeted purpose; it sets a compliance framework (referencing the external technical requirements) and a revised effective date (10 July 1991)."},"complexity_factors":["Delegation to an external technical document (DGAC TAD T91-137-059 (B)) rather than containing step-by-step actions increases practical complexity for operators.","Safety-critical, technical nature of the task (tail-rotor pitch control components) requires certified maintenance personnel and specialised parts, raising compliance cost and logistical complexity.","The AD applies to multiple aircraft variants (AS350 B, B1, B2, D), so fleet operators must assess applicability across individual airframes and maintenance histories.","Compliance timing is set in the referenced document (revised effective date 10 July 1991), requiring users to consult that document to determine deadlines.","Limited information in the AD text about specific remedies or costs forces reliance on additional documents (DGAC TAD and Aerospatiale TSB), adding steps to obtain actionable instructions."],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires operators of Eurocopter AS350 B/B1/B2/D helicopters to carry out the inspections and corrective actions in DGAC TAD T91-137-059(B) for the tail‑rotor pitch‑control lever expansion pin, to address a failure caused by incorrectly assembled bushes. Compliance is tied to the TAD’s revised effective date, 10 July 1991.\n\nIt affects owners/operators who bear inspection, parts and downtime costs, and is issued and enforced by CASA, which references the DGAC technical instructions (and Aerospatiale TSB 01‑33) for details."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-45-tail-rotor-pitch-control-lever-expansion-pin","history":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-45-tail-rotor-pitch-control-lever-expansion-pin/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-45-tail-rotor-pitch-control-lever-expansion-pin/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-45-tail-rotor-pitch-control-lever-expansion-pin/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-45-tail-rotor-pitch-control-lever-expansion-pin/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-45-tail-rotor-pitch-control-lever-expansion-pin/documents"}}