{"id":"F2006B09382","name":"AD/ECUREUIL/79 Amdt 1 - 'TRW-SAMM' Main Servocontrols","slug":"ad-ecureuil-79-amdt-1-trw-samm-main-servocontrols","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53689,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09382-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ECUREUIL/79 Amdt 1 - 'TRW-SAMM' Main Servocontrols","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/79 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CASR 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/79\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \n'TRW-SAMM' Main Servocontrols 8/2003\n\nApplicability: AS 350 B3 and EC 130 B4 helicopters with “TRW-SAMM’ main servocontrols Part Number (P/N) SC 8042 or SC 8043 which underwent their last overhaul or repair since overhaul at “HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE’, USA before March 1 2002.\n\nRequirement: Remove the servocontrols and return them to “HAWKER PACIFIC AEROSPACE”, USA for a check of the thread condition and application torque as required in Eurocopter AS 350 Alert Telex No. 67.00.23 or Eurocopter EC 130 Alert Telex No. 67A001 as applicable.\n\nNote: DGAC AD’s 2002-314-092(A) and 2002-316-004(A) refer.\n\nCompliance: 1. For servocontrols held as spares; prior to fitment to an aircraft.\n\n    2. For servocontrols that have been in service for less than 1000 flight ho urs since overhaul; within 550 flight hours or 3 October 2003, whichever comes first.\n    3. For servocontrols that have been in service between 1000 and 1300 flight hours since overhaul; prior to 1550 flight hours or 3 July 2003, whichever comes first.\n    4. For servocontrols:\n\n    Fitted to AS350 B3 helicopters that have been in service for more than 1300 flight hours since overhaul; before further flight.\n    Fitted to EC 130 B4 helicopters that have been in service for more than 1300 flight hours since overhaul; within 50 flight hours from the effective date of this Directive.\n\nThis Amendment becomes effective on 7 August 2003.\n\nBackground: An incorrect torque loading was found applied to the end fitting that attaches the servocontrol cylinder to the upper ball end fitting. The incorrect torque may lead to failure of the threads on the fitting, leading to separation of the upper-end fitting and result in loss of control of the helicopter.\n\nEurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters\n\nAD/ECUREUIL/79 Amdt 1 (continued)\n\nThis amendment adds the EC 130 B4 helicopter to the list of applicable aircraft affected by this Directive.\n\nThe original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 3 October 2002.\n\n![Signature of James Coyne, Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.](image.002.png)  \n\nJim Coyne\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 June 2003\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 16 July 2003.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original directive (effective October 2002) only applied to the AS 350 B3 helicopter. This amendment expands the scope to include the EC 130 B4 helicopter, effectively doubling the aircraft types covered while maintaining the same underlying safety issue."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cascading compliance deadlines based on flight hours since overhaul (four distinct categories)","Different treatment for spare parts vs. installed parts","Different urgency requirements for AS 350 B3 vs. EC 130 B4 helicopters in the highest flight-hour category (immediate grounding vs. 50-hour window)","Specific part number and manufacturer location requirements narrow applicability","Reference to external technical documents (Eurocopter Alert Telexes) for actual inspection procedures","Cross-reference to French aviation safety directives (DGAC ADs)"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD mandates removal and inspection of TRW‑SAMM main servocontrols (P/N SC8042, SC8043) on Eurocopter AS350 B3 and now EC130 B4 helicopters if last overhauled/repaired by Hawker Pacific Aerospace (USA) before 1 Mar 2002. It requires parts be returned to the manufacturer to check for faulty threads/incorrect torque because failure could cause fitting separation and loss of control. Compliance deadlines vary by time-in-service; spares must be checked before installation."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes. This amendment broadened the AD’s scope by adding the EC 130 B4 helicopter to the list of applicable aircraft (the original AD applied to a narrower set of AS 350 variants). It also reissues/updates compliance timings and explicitly directs affected servocontrols to be returned to Hawker Pacific Aerospace, USA for inspection, whereas the original AD (effective 3 October 2002) did not include the EC 130 B4 in applicability."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single‑topic directive focused on one component (main servocontrols).","Four conditional compliance timing rules based on flight hours and spare vs fitted status (nested conditions).","Specific applicability criteria: two helicopter models + two servocontrol P/Ns + last overhaul location and date (Hawker Pacific before 1 March 2002).","Cross‑references to external technical documents (Eurocopter Alert Telex Nos. 67.00.23 and 67A001) and foreign ADs (DGAC ADs), which operators must consult for technical steps.","Limited number of defined terms and no extensive exemptions or multiple Parts."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- This Airworthiness Directive (AD) cancels the previous AD/ECUREUIL/79 and replaces it with an amended version. It requires operators to remove certain main servocontrol units from service and return them to a named repair organisation for inspection and torque checks.\n\n- Which helicopters are affected (Applicability): AS 350 B3 and EC 130 B4 helicopters that have ‘TRW‑SAMM’ main servocontrols with Part Number SC 8042 or SC 8043, where the servocontrols last underwent overhaul or repair at Hawker Pacific Aerospace (USA) before 1 March 2002. (See the Applicability and Requirement sections.)\n\n- What must be done (Requirement): Remove the servocontrols and send them to Hawker Pacific Aerospace, USA for inspection of thread condition and application torque, performed in accordance with the applicable Eurocopter Alert Telex (AS 350 Alert Telex No. 67.00.23 or EC 130 Alert Telex No. 67A001). (See the Requirement section and the Note referring to the Eurocopter telexes.)\n\n- When it must be done (Compliance): The AD sets four timing rules depending on the servocontrols’ flight hours since overhaul and whether they are fitted or held as spares:\n  - Servocontrols held as spares: must be inspected before they are fitted to any aircraft.\n  - Servocontrols in service < 1,000 flight hours since overhaul: must be returned within 550 flight hours from now or by 3 October 2003, whichever comes first.\n  - Servocontrols in service between 1,000 and 1,300 flight hours since overhaul: must be returned before reaching 1,550 flight hours or by 3 July 2003, whichever comes first.\n  - Servocontrols in service > 1,300 flight hours since overhaul: for AS 350 B3 helicopters they must be removed before further flight; for EC 130 B4 helicopters they must be returned within 50 flight hours from the AD’s effective date.\n\n- Effective date: This amendment takes effect 7 August 2003.\n\n**Why the AD was issued (official rationale)**\n\n- The background states that an incorrect torque was applied at the end fitting that attaches the servocontrol cylinder to the upper ball end fitting. That incorrect torque can damage the fitting threads and cause separation of the upper end fitting, which could lead to loss of helicopter control. The AD’s stated purpose is to correct this unsafe condition by checking thread condition and application torque.\n\n**Who pays and who decides**\n\n- Operators (aircraft owners/operators) must carry out the removals, manage shipping to the specified repair organisation, and bear the costs and the operational downtime associated with those actions.\n\n- The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate issues the AD and sets the mandatory compliance requirements; Hawker Pacific Aerospace (the named repair organisation) performs the inspection/torque check per the Eurocopter instructions.\n\n**Practical effects on operator behaviour and the market**\n\n- Operators face immediate maintenance action for affected servocontrols, including scheduling removals, shipping parts internationally (to the USA), and planned downtime for inspection before return to service. Aircraft with servocontrols above specified flight-hour thresholds may be grounded (AS 350 B3: before further flight if >1,300 fh since overhaul).\n\n- There is a compliance choice for operators: either return the specific affected servocontrols for inspection or avoid fitting those spares until they are inspected. That can push demand toward already‑inspected replacement parts or alternative suppliers if available.\n\n- The AD specifies a single repair organisation (Hawker Pacific Aerospace) as the destination for inspection. That concentrates service work and creates business for that organisation; operators must arrange logistics with that provider or with any authorised agent acting on its behalf.\n\n**Costs, risks and trade-offs**\n\n- Direct costs: removal labour, shipping to the USA, inspection fees, and potential replacement servocontrols while units are out of service.\n\n- Indirect costs: aircraft downtime, possible flight cancellations or re‑scheduling, and administrative costs to track flight hours since overhaul and to comply with the Eurocopter telex requirements.\n\n- Implementation risk: delays if Hawker Pacific’s capacity is limited, if parts or records are incomplete, or if international shipping/logistics are slow. Operators in regions far from the USA may face longer grounding periods.\n\n- Regulatory burden and discretion: CASA prescribes the corrective action and timing; operators have limited discretion other than arranging compliance (for example, sourcing already‑inspected parts if available). The AD cross‑references Eurocopter Alert Telexes for technical instructions, which operators must follow.\n\n**Potential substitution and unintended effects**\n\n- Operators may substitute inspected spare parts or servocontrols from other suppliers to avoid shipping delays, if such alternatives exist and comply with the aircraft’s maintenance and certification requirements.\n\n- Concentrating inspections at one provider increases dependency on that provider’s capacity and international logistics, creating a single point where delays can cascade into operational impacts for many operators.\n\n**Source‑attributed note on change from the prior AD**\n\n- The amendment explicitly adds the EC 130 B4 helicopter model to the aircraft types covered by the AD. The original AD (effective 3 October 2002) applied to a narrower set of helicopters."},"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-79-amdt-1-trw-samm-main-servocontrols","history":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-79-amdt-1-trw-samm-main-servocontrols/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-79-amdt-1-trw-samm-main-servocontrols/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-79-amdt-1-trw-samm-main-servocontrols/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-79-amdt-1-trw-samm-main-servocontrols/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-79-amdt-1-trw-samm-main-servocontrols/documents"}}