{"id":"F2006B09375","name":"AD/ECUREUIL/69 Amdt 2 - Main Rotor Starflex Star","slug":"ad-ecureuil-69-amdt-2-main-rotor-starflex-star","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53667,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09375-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ECUREUIL/69 Amdt 2 - Main Rotor Starflex Star","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/69 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/69\n\nAmdt 2\n\n  \nMain Rotor Starflex Star 7/2002\n\nApplicability: Model AS 350 helicopters, versions B, BA, B1, B2, B3, BB, and D; equipped with Starflex Stars part number 350A31.1916.00 mounted on main rotor hubs without MOD 076221 incorporated.\n\nRequirement: 1. Inspect in accordance with Eurocopter Alert Telex 05.00.38 R2; and,\n\n2. Modify in accordance with paragraph 2 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin\n\n62.00.24 (MOD 076221).\n\nNote 1: Requirement 2 is now terminating action for Requirement 1\\. Note 2: DGAC AD 2001-557-086(A) R3 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Unless the initial inspection is already accomplished, before further flight after 11 July 2002. Thereafter on completion of each flight following rotor stoppage.\n\n2. Before 31 March 2002 for Model AS 350 B3 helicopters, and before 31 May 2002 for Model AS 350 B, BA, B1, B2, BB, and D helicopters: unless already accomplished.\n\nThe compliance time for Requirement 2 remains unchanged by this issue.\n\nThis Directive shall be entered on the Maintenance Release as maintenance required. The required visual inspection may be performed and certified by a Pilot in Command who has been trained to do the inspection by an appropriately qualified person. In\n\nthis case, a copy of the Requirement document and this Directive is to be carried in the aircraft.\n\nThis Amendment becomes effective on 11 July 2002.\n\nBackground: Reports were received of several occurrences of rapid bonding failure of the metal bush that is installed on the Starflex star arm ends. In some cases, these incidents caused the pilots to land quickly due to strong vibrations in the cabin.\n\nEurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters\n\nAD/ECUREUIL/69 Amdt 2 (continued)\n\nAmendment 1 required the incorporation of MOD 076221, in addition to the currently required inspection.\n\nAmendment 2 is issued in response to a revision of the related DGAC AD which excludes Starflex stars mounted on main rotor hubs post MOD 076221 from the scope of this Directive,\n\nThe original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 23 November 2001.\n\nAmendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 13 March 2002.\n\n![Signature of David Villiers, Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.](image.002.jpeg)  \n\nDavid Alan Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 31 May 2002\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 19 June 2002.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Amendment 2 narrows the AD's scope by excluding Starflex stars mounted on main rotor hubs after MOD 076221. The text states Amendment 2 was issued in response to a DGAC AD revision which 'excludes Starflex stars mounted on main rotor hubs post MOD 076221 from the scope of this Directive' (Background)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability tied to specific part number (350A31.1916.00) and exclusion if MOD 076221 is incorporated (Applicability).","Two-step compliance structure: recurring visual inspections per Eurocopter Alert Telex 05.00.38 R2, plus a terminating modification per Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 62.00.24 (Requirement 1–2).","Different mandatory modification deadlines by model (earlier for B3 vs other models) and an unchanged compliance time for Requirement 2 (Compliance).","Permits inspection certification by a trained Pilot in Command, shifting some compliance burden from maintenance staff to operators (Maintenance release / certification note).","References and reliance on external manufacturer documents and a foreign AD (Eurocopter Telex/Service Bulletin and DGAC AD), adding procedural dependencies and potential interpretation issues (Requirement / Note 2 / Background).","Directive revokes and replaces prior ADs (revocation of AD/ECUREUIL/69 Amdt 1), requiring record updates and change management in operator maintenance systems."],"plain_english_summary":"CASA requires operators of Eurocopter AS350 (Ecureuil) models B, BA, B1, B2, B3, BB and D fitted with Starflex Star part 350A31.1916.00 (unless MOD 076221 is already fitted) to carry out immediate visual inspections for bonding failure and to implement MOD 076221 by the specified dates. The directive responds to reported metal-bush bonding failures that produced strong vibrations; inspections must be done before further flight (and after each rotor stoppage) and may be certified by a trained Pilot in Command."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment narrows the scope slightly from Amendment 1 by excluding helicopters that already have MOD 076221 incorporated, but this is a technical refinement rather than scope creep. The directive remains focused on its original purpose: addressing the Starflex Star bonding failure issue in specific AS 350 helicopter models."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple model variants listed (B, BA, B1, B2, B3, BB, D) with different compliance dates","Cross-references to external technical documents (Eurocopter Alert Telex 05.00.38 R2 and Service Bulletin 62.00.24)","Conditional applicability based on part number and modification status (MOD 076221)","Nested compliance structure with terminating action (Requirement 2 cancels ongoing need for Requirement 1)","Specific delegation and regulatory authority citation (subregulation 39.1(1) of CAR 1998)"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA safety order targets AS350 B/BA/B1/B2/B3/BB/D helicopters fitted with Starflex Star part 350A31.1916.00 (unless MOD 076221 already installed). It mandates visual inspections of the Starflex Star after every flight to detect dangerous bushing/bonding failures and requires a permanent hub modification to fix the design defect.\n\nThis matters because sudden bushing failure can cause severe vibration and emergency landings. Trained pilots may perform the inspection and must carry the directive paperwork aboard."},"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"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-69-amdt-2-main-rotor-starflex-star","history":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-69-amdt-2-main-rotor-starflex-star/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-69-amdt-2-main-rotor-starflex-star/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-69-amdt-2-main-rotor-starflex-star/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-69-amdt-2-main-rotor-starflex-star/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-69-amdt-2-main-rotor-starflex-star/documents"}}