{"id":"F2006B09359","name":"AD/ECUREUIL/53 - Cyclic Pitch Change Rod","slug":"ad-ecureuil-53-cyclic-pitch-change-rod","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53616,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09359-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ECUREUIL/53 - Cyclic Pitch Change Rod","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/53 Cyclic Pitch Change Rod 11/94\n\nApplicability: Models B, BA, D, B1 and B2 fitted with cyclic pitch change control rod P/No 704A34-113-279, and not fitted with an auto-pilot.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with Eurocopter AS 350 Service Bulletin 01-42.\n\n \n\nNote: DGAC AD 94-180-069(B) refers.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Within 100 hours time in service after 13 October 1994.\n\n \n\nBackground: The manufacturer has determined that some control rods may not be “in safety”.\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\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in specific helicopter models. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating inspection/replacement of a single identified component."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words of substantive content)","Only 2 defined applicability criteria (specific part number and absence of auto-pilot)","Single requirement referencing an external technical document (Service Bulletin 01-42)","Simple compliance deadline (100 hours time in service from fixed date)","No nested exceptions, conditional logic, or cross-references to other legislation","Straightforward background statement without technical elaboration"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).\n\n**What it does:**\nOrders owners and operators of specific Eurocopter AS 350 helicopter models to inspect or replace a particular part called the \"cyclic pitch change control rod\" (part number 704A34-113-279). This rod is a critical component that helps control the helicopter's direction and altitude.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of Eurocopter AS 350 models B, BA, D, B1, and B2\n- Only those helicopters that have the specific control rod installed\n- Only those **without** an auto-pilot system fitted\n\n**What must be done:**\nOperators must follow the instructions in Eurocopter Service Bulletin 01-42 (a technical notice from the manufacturer detailing the required inspection or replacement procedure).\n\n**When:**\nWithin 100 hours of flight time after 13 October 1994.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThe manufacturer discovered that some of these control rods might not be \"in safety\" — meaning they could potentially fail during flight, with catastrophic consequences for helicopter control. This directive prevents accidents by forcing a safety check before the part can fail."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD does not indicate any change to its original scope. It sets a corrective requirement for the identified part on specified helicopter models based on the manufacturer’s finding that some rods \"may not be 'in safety'.\" The instrument defines applicability, the required action (by reference to the service bulletin), and a compliance window without expanding or narrowing that scope within the text provided."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow and specific applicability (limited models and a single part number).","Clear, short compliance timeframe (100 hours TIS after 13 October 1994).","Delegation of technical procedure to an external document (Eurocopter Service Bulletin 01-42).","Technical work required (inspection/repair/replace) but not detailed within the AD itself.","Regulatory enforcement is straightforward (mandatory compliance by affected operators)."],"plain_english_summary":"# What this instrument does (mechanical effect)\n\n- It requires certain Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) helicopters to have the cyclic pitch change control rod inspected and corrected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. (Requirement)\n- The directive applies only to Models B, BA, D, B1 and B2 that are fitted with control rod P/No 704A34-113-279 and are not fitted with an autopilot. (Applicability)\n- The mandated action must be completed within 100 hours time in service measured from 13 October 1994. (Compliance)\n\n# Who is affected\n\n- Owners and operators of the specified AS 350 models that have the listed part number and do not have an autopilot. (Applicability)\n- Maintenance organisations and technicians who carry out inspections and repairs under the referenced Eurocopter Service Bulletin 01-42. (Requirement)\n\n# Why it matters (stated purpose and practical effect)\n\n- The manufacturer determined that some of the specified control rods \"may not be 'in safety'.\" The AD cites that determination as the reason for mandatory action. (Background)\n- Mechanically, the AD forces an inspection and whatever corrective work the manufacturer’s service bulletin prescribes to reduce the risk associated with potentially unsafe control rods. (Requirement)\n\n# How the rule operates and who decides\n\n- The Civil Aviation Safety Authority issues the airworthiness directive and makes compliance mandatory for affected Australian-registered aircraft. The AD requires operators to carry out the steps laid out in Eurocopter Service Bulletin 01-42. (Requirement)\n- The technical content and corrective steps are supplied by the manufacturer’s service bulletin; the regulator enforces compliance with that external document. (Requirement)\n\n# Who pays and what behaviours change\n\n- Operators and owners of affected helicopters bear the direct costs: inspection labour, spare parts, and aircraft downtime while the work is done. (Applicability, Requirement, Compliance)\n- Maintenance providers must follow the manufacturer’s procedures when performing the work, creating a procedural dependency on the service bulletin. (Requirement)\n- Operators may need to schedule aircraft out of service within the 100-hour window, which can change operational planning and utilization. (Compliance)\n\n# Compliance burden and implementation risk\n\n- The AD’s compliance burden is concrete and time-limited: the corrective action must occur within 100 hours TIS after the stated date, creating a scheduling constraint for operators. (Compliance)\n- The AD delegates the technical remedy to Eurocopter’s Service Bulletin 01-42; reliance on that external document concentrates technical decision-making with the manufacturer while the regulator enforces compliance. (Requirement)\n- Practical implementation risks include parts availability, workshop capacity, and the time aircraft are unavailable for service while corrective work is done. Those are costs borne by operators. (Applicability, Requirement)\n\n# Miscellaneous\n\n- The AD cross-references a French DGAC airworthiness directive (DGAC AD 94-180-069(B)), indicating alignment with an overseas regulator’s action. (Note)\n\n(References in parentheses indicate the section of the AD where the point is stated: Applicability, Requirement, Compliance, Background, Note.)"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-53-cyclic-pitch-change-rod","history":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-53-cyclic-pitch-change-rod/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-53-cyclic-pitch-change-rod/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-53-cyclic-pitch-change-rod/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-53-cyclic-pitch-change-rod/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-53-cyclic-pitch-change-rod/documents"}}