{"id":"F2006B09371","name":"AD/ECUREUIL/65 Amdt 2 - Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Forward Fairing","slug":"ad-ecureuil-65-amdt-2-tail-rotor-drive-shaft-forward-fairing","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53655,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09371-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ECUREUIL/65 Amdt 2 - Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Forward Fairing","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nAIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/65 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\nEurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters\n\nAD/ECUREUIL/65\n\nAmdt 2\n\n  \nTail Rotor Drive Shaft Forward Fairing 5/2002\n\nApplicability: All AS 350 B3 helicopters fitted with forward fairing part numbers: 350A23.0032.09 pre Mod 073097\n\n350A23.1075.00 post Mod 073097\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with DGAC AD 2000-340-080(A) R2.\n\nNote: Eurocopter AS 350 Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.35 refers.\n\nCompliance: As specified in the Requirement document.\n\nThis Amendment becomes effective on 16 May 2002.\n\nBackground: The DGAC received a report of the loss of the heat shield of the tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing. This AD requires inspections, and a repair, for cracks in the tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing. If cracks are not detected early enough, the fairing could separate from the helicopter and become a serious safety hazard.\n\nAmendment 1 corrected an applicability error and introduced a revision of the related DGAC AD and Telex Service documents, which clarified the modification status for the fairing inspection requirements.\n\nAmendment 2 is issued in response to a revision of the related DGAC AD, which introduces a new service bulletin that replaces the previous service telex, and clarifies fairing applicability.\n\nAmendment 1 to this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 20 September 2000.\n\nEurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters\n\nAD/ECUREUIL/65 Amdt 2 (Continued)\n\nThe original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 7 August 2000.\n\n![Signature of David Villiers, Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.](image.002.png)  \n\nDavid Alan Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 5 April 2002\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 24 April 2002.","sortOrder":0}],"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":"The core scope — inspect and repair the tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing to prevent separation due to cracks — remains the same as the original AD. Amendments 1 and 2 correct applicability details and update or replace the referenced service documents (telex → service bulletin) and clarify which part numbers/modification states are covered. Those are clarifications and procedural updates rather than a substantial expansion of regulatory purpose or the population of affected aircraft."},"complexity_factors":["Short single-issue AD (one safety topic: forward fairing cracks)","Two specific part numbers listed with modification-status distinction (pre/post Mod 073097)","Cross-references to external mandatory documents: DGAC AD 2000-340-080(A) R2 and Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.35 (and a newer service bulletin replacing a telex)","Amendment history (original AD, Amendment 1 correcting applicability, Amendment 2 updating referenced documents) requiring operators to track versions","Compliance timing and specific procedures are entirely contained in the referenced documents rather than the AD itself (adds implementation complexity)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- Revokes the previous version of the airworthiness directive (AD) and issues Amendment 2. (See: Requirement / Compliance sections.)\n- Forces owners/operators of certain helicopters to carry out inspections and any necessary repairs on the tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing, following the procedures and times set out in the referenced French DGAC AD (DGAC AD 2000-340-080(A) R2) and associated Eurocopter service information. (See: Applicability; Requirement; Compliance.)\n- Becomes effective 16 May 2002. (See: Effective date.)\n\n**Which aircraft are affected**\n\n- All Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) AS 350 B3 series helicopters that have the tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing fitted with either:\n  - part number 350A23.0032.09 (pre Mod 073097), or\n  - part number 350A23.1075.00 (post Mod 073097). (See: Applicability.)\n\n**Why the rule exists (official rationale)**\n\n- The regulator reports a loss of the heat shield from the forward fairing. Cracks in the fairing can lead to separation from the helicopter, which is a potential safety hazard. The AD therefore requires inspections and repairs to detect and correct cracks before separation occurs. (See: Background.)\n\n**How compliance works in practice**\n\n- The AD does not set out inspection steps or intervals itself; it mandates action “in accordance with” the DGAC AD (R2), which in turn points to Eurocopter service material (the Alert Service Bulletin and the newer service bulletin that replaced an earlier telex). Operators must follow those external documents for the exact inspection and repair procedures and timing. (See: Requirement; Note: Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.35 and DGAC AD 2000-340-080(A) R2.)\n\n**Who pays, who decides, and what changes for operators**\n\n- Who pays: the helicopter owner/operator pays for inspections, labour time, any repairs and replacement parts, and the aircraft downtime while work is carried out.\n- Who decides: the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate issued the AD; execution decisions (when to schedule inspections, choice of approved maintenance organisation, and whether to repair or replace components) are made by the operator and their maintenance provider in order to meet the AD and the referenced documents.\n- Behaviour change: operators must check records to determine whether the fitted fairing is the pre- or post-modification part and then perform the inspections/repairs required by the referenced DGAC/Eurocopter documents within the specified intervals.\n\n**Costs, incentives and trade-offs (analyst’s lens)**\n\n- Direct costs: inspection labour, possible repairs or part replacements, and helicopter downtime. Those costs fall on the affected operators (a concentrated cost).\n- Benefits: reduced risk of fairing loss (a safety gain that is broadly diffuse in benefiting crew, passengers, and third parties).\n- Administrative burden: operators must verify part numbers and mod status (Mod 073097), locate and follow foreign-authority DGAC material and Eurocopter service bulletins, and keep compliance records.\n- Implementation risks: potential delays or ambiguity where operators must interpret whether a fairing is “pre Mod” or “post Mod”; availability of replacement parts or approved repair options could affect downtime and cost.\n- Regulatory reliance on foreign documentation: the AD imports substantive inspection/repair requirements by reference to a DGAC AD and Eurocopter service bulletins. That centralises technical detail in external documents; it reduces duplication but requires operators to obtain and interpret those documents.\n\n**Amendment history and scope effect**\n\n- Amendment 1 corrected an applicability error and introduced revisions to the related DGAC AD and service telex that clarified modification status for inspection requirements.\n- Amendment 2 updates the AD in response to a DGAC revision, replaces the earlier service telex with a new service bulletin, and further clarifies which fairings are covered. These are procedural and clarification changes — they update how compliance is carried out and which physical parts are covered, rather than creating a new safety objective. (See: Background; Amendment notes.)"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope — addressing a specific mechanical defect in a specific helicopter model's tail rotor fairing. Amendment 2 is purely technical housekeeping: updating references to match a revised French aviation directive and replacing a service telex with a service bulletin. The core safety purpose (preventing fairing separation) remains unchanged from the original August 2000 issue."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose instrument (approximately 300 words)","Only 2 defined part numbers in applicability section","Single cross-reference to external technical document (DGAC AD 2000-340-080(A) R2) rather than detailed internal instructions","No nested conditional logic or exceptions — straightforward 'inspect and repair if cracks found' structure","Amendment history clearly documented but does not complicate current operative text"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD revokes and replaces the earlier order, requiring inspections and repairs for cracks in the tail rotor drive‑shaft forward fairing on certain Eurocopter AS350 B3 helicopters and mandating compliance with the referenced French DGAC safety document. It affects owners/operators of AS350 B3s fitted with the specified forward fairing part numbers and updates instructions to address a reported heat‑shield detachment risk that could allow the fairing to break off in flight."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-65-amdt-2-tail-rotor-drive-shaft-forward-fairing","history":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-65-amdt-2-tail-rotor-drive-shaft-forward-fairing/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-65-amdt-2-tail-rotor-drive-shaft-forward-fairing/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-65-amdt-2-tail-rotor-drive-shaft-forward-fairing/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-65-amdt-2-tail-rotor-drive-shaft-forward-fairing/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-65-amdt-2-tail-rotor-drive-shaft-forward-fairing/documents"}}