{"id":"F2008L00727","name":"AD/ECUREUIL/67 Amdt 2 - Rear Bench Cushions","slug":"ad-ecureuil-67-amdt-2-rear-bench-cushions","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":72764,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2008L00727-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/67 Amdt 2 | Rear Bench Cushions | 4/2008 |\n| --------------------- | ------------------- | ------ |\n\n| Applicability: | Model AS 350 B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, and D helicopters, equipped with a rear bench seat; unless modified in accordance with MOD 073166 (AS 350 Service Bulletin No. 25.00.70).                                                                                                                                                                               |\n| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | Remove any unoccupied cushions from the rear bench seat, unless the seat cushions are restrained by mechanical means approved in accordance with CAR35 in addition to the existing Velcro method.Note 1: Incorporation of optional Modification 073166 terminates the restrictions imposed by this Directive.Note 2: EASA AD 2008-0044 refers.              |\n| Compliance:    | Before any flight with the door(s) removed or the sliding door(s) in the open position after 12 April 2001.If the cushions are not restrained by additional mechanical means, a copy of this Directive is to be carried in the aircraft at all times.The compliance time remains unchanged by this issue of the Directive.                                  |\n|                | This Amendment becomes effective on 10 April 2008.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |\n| Background:    | The DGAC has received two reports of in-flight loss of the rear bench seat cushion in doors removed configurations. The lost cushions might contact the main or tail rotor causing loss of control of the helicopter.Amendment 1 introduced an alternate means of compliance to cushion removal in aircraft operating with sliding door(s) open or removed. |\n\n|     | Amendment 2 is issued in response to a new EASA AD, which introduces optional terminating action to the flight restrictions. The Type Certificate Holder designed MOD 073166 to improve the attachments of the rear bench seat.The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 11 April 2001. |\n| --- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nDavid Villiers  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n29 February 2008","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/ECUREUIL/67 Amdt 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/ECUREUIL/67 Amdt 2","content":"## AD/ECUREUIL/67 Amdt 2","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Rear Bench Cushions","sectionType":"part","heading":"Rear Bench Cushions","content":"## Rear Bench Cushions","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4/2008","sectionType":"part","heading":"4/2008","content":"## 4/2008","sortOrder":3}],"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":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Amendment 2 narrows the operational restriction for aircraft that have incorporated the Type Certificate Holder’s MOD 073166: such modified helicopters are no longer subject to the cushion-removal restriction. The amendment also recognises an approved mechanical restraint (per CAR35) as an alternative to removal and retains the original removal requirement for unmodified or unrestrained aircraft, plus the requirement to carry a copy of the Directive when cushions remain unrestrained."},"complexity_factors":["Limited technical scope: applies only to specific AS350 submodels equipped with a rear bench seat.","Simple operational trigger: requirement applies when doors are removed or sliding doors are open.","One main compliance option: remove unoccupied cushions unless mechanically restrained or MOD 073166 incorporated.","Regulatory approval dependency: mechanical restraint must be approved under CAR35 (introduces administrative/approval step).","Termination clause: incorporation of MOD 073166 terminates the flight restrictions for modified aircraft.","Record/administration requirement: if cushions are not additionally restrained, a copy of the Directive must be carried onboard.","References to external ADs/standards (EASA AD 2008-0044) and prior amendments add cross-references but not technical complexity."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of specified Eurocopter AS350 models to remove any unoccupied rear bench seat cushions whenever a door is removed or a sliding door is open, unless the cushions are mechanically restrained by an approved method or the helicopter has had MOD 073166 fitted. It responds to reports of cushions being lost in flight and potentially striking rotors. Affected operators must comply before flying in the door-removed/open configuration and may need to carry a copy of the Directive on board."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Amendment 2 remains tightly focused on its original purpose: preventing rear bench cushion loss in AS 350 helicopters. The amendment introduces an optional terminating action (MOD 073166) but does not expand the scope beyond the original safety issue. The applicability, core requirement, and compliance timing remain consistent with the original 2001 directive."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific safety issue with limited applicability (7 helicopter models)","Clear binary compliance path: remove cushions OR install approved restraints","Only 2 defined regulatory references (CAR 35, MOD 073166)","Simple conditional logic: applies only when doors removed/open AND after specific date","Single terminating action (MOD 073166) that ends all requirements","Short document with minimal cross-referencing (only references EASA AD 2008-0044 and original 2001 directive)","No nested exceptions or layered conditional requirements"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD addresses reports of rear bench seat cushions becoming dislodged from certain Eurocopter AS350 (B/BA/BB/B1/B2/B3/D) helicopters and potentially striking rotor blades. To prevent a catastrophic loss of control, operators must either remove unoccupied rear cushions when doors are open/removed or fit CAR 35–approved mechanical restraints; a pilot must carry the AD if cushions remain.\n\nAn optional permanent modification (MOD 073166) exempts helicopters from these measures."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-67-amdt-2-rear-bench-cushions","history":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-67-amdt-2-rear-bench-cushions/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-67-amdt-2-rear-bench-cushions/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-67-amdt-2-rear-bench-cushions/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-67-amdt-2-rear-bench-cushions/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-67-amdt-2-rear-bench-cushions/documents"}}