{"id":"F2006B09384","name":"AD/ECUREUIL/80 Amdt 1 - Main Rotor and Tail Rotor Dynamic Components","slug":"ad-ecureuil-80-amdt-1-main-rotor-and-tail-rotor-dynamic-components","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53696,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09384-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/ECUREUIL/80 Amdt 1 - Main Rotor and Tail Rotor Dynamic Components","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\nAIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/80 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/80\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \n\nMain Rotor and Tail Rotor Dynamic Components\n\n  \n10/2003\n\nApplicability: Model AS 350B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, and D helicopters, equipped with dynamic components following overhaul (RG) or repair (RE) at the Eurocopter Helicopter Maintenance and Overhaul Facility (D.E.R.H.), listed in Tables 1 and 2 (as applicable) of paragraph 4 “Appendix” of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.25.\n\nRequirement: 1. Using the Equipment Log Cards (FMEs) of the dynamic components, check whether the dynamic components embody parts affected by this Directive, in accordance with the instructions specified in paragraph 2.B.1. of Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.25.\n\nIf the Requirement 1 check does not reveal the existence of a part affected by this Directive, no further action is required.\n\nIf the check reveals the existence of one or more part(s) affected, comply with the instructions specified in paragraph 2.B.2 of Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.25.\n\n2. After correction in accordance with paragraph 2.B.2.1 of Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.25, if the number of operating hours of a part exceeds its life limit, remove the part concerned or the assembly that embodies the part in accordance with the instructions specified in paragraph 2.b.2.2. of Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.25.\n\nComply with paragraph 2.B. of Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.25 on dynamic components that have been stored following repair or overhaul, before installation on aircraft.\n\nNote: DGAC AD 2002-452(A) R1 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Within 10 flight hours after 11 September 2002, unless already accomplished.\n\n2. If affected, within 50 flight hours following determination that the life limit has been exceeded.\n\nThe Compliance times of this Directive remain unchanged by this issue.\n\nEurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters\n\nAD/ECUREUIL/80 Amdt 1 (continued)\n\nThis Amendment becomes effective on 2 October 2003.\n\nBackground: A discrepancy in the D.E.R.H. computer system, which is used to carry over the number of operating hours of the parts following repair or overhaul work, is the cause of incorrect completion of some Equipment Log Cards. The result of this discrepancy is that a part that has changed part number or serial number following repair or modification, may have been dispatched with incorrect operating hours. Affected items will show zero hours on their FME.\n\nAmendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the related DGAC AD, which introduces Alert Service Bulletins in place of the previously referenced Alert Telexes, with no change in technical content.\n\nThe original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 11 September 2002.\n\n![Signature of David Villiers, Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.](image.002.png)  \n\nDavid Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 29 July 2003\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 10 September 2003.","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":"Amendment 1 did not broaden the AD’s scope. It replaces references to previously cited Alert Telexes with Alert Service Bulletins (Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.25) and otherwise keeps the technical requirements, affected models, and compliance times unchanged. The AD still targets the same repaired/overhauled dynamic components from D.E.R.H. and retains the same compliance mechanics (Applicability; Requirement; Background)."},"complexity_factors":["Single-subject airworthiness directive with limited scope (AS350 dynamic components at one maintenance facility).","Relies on one external technical document: Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.25 (multiple paragraph cross-references: 2.B.1, 2.B.2, 2.B.2.1, 2.B.2.2, paragraph 2.B).","Two discrete compliance deadlines (10 flight hours for the initial FME check; 50 flight hours for removal if life limit exceeded).","Conditional flow with simple branches (if FME shows affected part → follow ASB; if not → stop).","One external cross-reference to DGAC AD 2002-452(A) R1 (note only).","Amendment limited to replacing reference documents (Alert Telexes → Alert Service Bulletins) with no added regulatory conditions."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this directive does (mechanically):**\n\n- Applies to Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) helicopters of models B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3 and D that have dynamic components (main or tail rotor dynamic parts) which were repaired or overhauled at the Eurocopter Helicopter Maintenance and Overhaul Facility (D.E.R.H.), and which are listed in Tables 1 and 2 of paragraph 4 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.25 (Applicability).\n\n- Requires an operator or maintenance organisation to check the Equipment Log Cards (FMEs) of those dynamic components to determine whether the part is one affected by this Directive (Requirement 1, using paragraph 2.B.1 of ASB No. 62.00.25).\n  - If the check shows no affected part, no further action is required (Requirement 1).\n  - If one or more affected parts are identified, the operator must follow the repair/inspection/correction instructions in paragraph 2.B.2 of ASB No. 62.00.25 (Requirement 1).\n\n- After carrying out the corrective actions from the ASB (paragraph 2.B.2.1), if any part’s recorded operating hours exceed that part’s published life limit, the operator must remove that part or the assembly containing it in accordance with paragraph 2.B.2.2 of the ASB (Requirement 2).\n\n- Before installing any dynamic component that has been stored after repair/overhaul, the operator must comply with paragraph 2.B of ASB No. 62.00.25 (Requirement 2, last sentence).\n\n- Compliance timing: the FME check must be done within 10 flight hours after 11 September 2002 unless already done; if a life-limit exceedance is found, removal must occur within 50 flight hours after that determination (Compliance 1–2).\n\n**Why this was issued (official rationale and mechanics):**\n\n- The D.E.R.H. computer system used to carry over operating hours after repair/overhaul sometimes completed Equipment Log Cards incorrectly, so some repaired/overhauled parts were dispatched showing zero hours on the FME (Background).\n- That mis-recording can hide parts that have already exceeded their life limits. The directive forces checks and removals where life limits have been exceeded, using the technical steps set out in Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.25 (Requirement and Background).\n- Amendment 1 updates references from previously cited Alert Telexes to Alert Service Bulletins; the issuing statement says there is no change in technical content (Amendment note).\n\n**Who this affects, who pays, and who decides:**\n\n- Primary affected parties: aircraft owners/operators of the listed AS350 models, and maintenance organisations that install or return to service dynamic components repaired/overhauled at D.E.R.H. (Applicability; Requirement).\n- Who decides technical compliance steps: the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) delegate issues the AD; the Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin specifies the technical procedures to be followed (first paragraph; Requirement references to ASB No. 62.00.25).\n- Who bears the costs: the AD places the compliance obligation on operators/owners and maintenance organisations (they must perform the checks and removals). The instrument does not assign financial liability to the maintenance facility; any cost-recovery depends on contract arrangements between the operator and maintenance provider (no specific cost-allocation provision in the AD).\n\n**What behaviour changes and practical effects it imposes:**\n\n- Operators must inspect FMEs on affected dynamic parts within the stated compliance window and follow the ASB’s corrective actions if affected parts are found (Requirement; Compliance).\n- Parts or assemblies that exceed life limits after correction must be removed from service within 50 flight hours of discovery (Requirement 2; Compliance 2).\n- Stored dynamic parts repaired/overhauled at D.E.R.H. must be checked according to the ASB before installation (Requirement 2).\n\n**Costs, incentives, and implementation risks:**\n\n- Direct compliance costs: time and labour to check FMEs within 10 flight hours, potential aircraft downtime, and the cost of replacing/remove parts or assemblies that are beyond life limits (Requirement; Compliance).\n- Opportunity cost: aircraft out of service for inspections or part removal can reduce utilisation and may disrupt schedules for operators.\n- Information-dependency risk: the corrective regime relies on accurate traceability information (FMEs and the ASB). Where FMEs are blank or incorrect (the problem this AD addresses), additional investigation or contact with D.E.R.H./manufacturer may be needed to establish true operating hours, increasing administrative burden (Background; Requirement).\n- Effect on maintenance providers: independent repairers who use parts from D.E.R.H. must apply the ASB procedures before installation; this may increase their labour and record-keeping obligations (Requirement 2).\n- Market effects: the measure increases short-term maintenance costs for affected operators and may shift demand toward parts/repairs with clearer accountability or traceability. It does not directly change ownership, competition law, or market structure—only imposes safety-related compliance duties (Applicability; Requirement).\n\n**Trade-offs and concentrated vs diffuse effects:**\n\n- The safety benefit (reducing the risk of operating parts beyond life limits) accrues to aircraft occupants, third parties and regulators; the costs (inspection time, parts removal) are concentrated on operators and maintenance organisations required to comply (Requirement; Compliance; Background).\n- The AD itself does not create subsidies, exemptions, or explicit liability reallocations; any cost recovery or commercial dispute over who pays for removed parts depends on private contracts between operator and the maintenance facility (no such provisions in the AD).\n\n**Implementation notes and where to look for the technical steps:**\n\n- The AD repeatedly delegates the detailed technical steps to Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.25 (paragraphs 2.B.1, 2.B.2, 2.B.2.1, 2.B.2.2 and paragraph 2.B). Operators must follow that ASB to satisfy the AD’s requirements (Requirement 1–2)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is an amendment that explicitly states it introduces 'no change in technical content' from the original directive. The scope remains limited to the specific helicopter models and maintenance facility originally identified. The amendment only updates document references (Alert Service Bulletins replacing Alert Telexes) to match a revised French aviation directive."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to external documents (Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 62.00.25, DGAC AD 2002-452(A) R1) that are not reproduced in the text","Nested conditional logic: Requirement 1 branches into two paths (no action vs. further action), and Requirement 2 adds a third condition (life limit exceeded)","Specific applicability criteria requiring matching against tables in an external document","Dual compliance timelines (10 hours for initial check, 50 hours for removal if life limit exceeded)","Technical aviation terminology requiring domain knowledge (FMEs, dynamic components, RG/RE overhaul codes, D.E.R.H. facility)","Amendment structure requires understanding relationship between original AD and Amendment 1"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive mandates operators of certain Eurocopter AS350 (B/BA/BB/B1/B2/B3/D) helicopters to inspect main- and tail-rotor paperwork because a French maintenance computer error misreported overhauled parts as zero hours. If affected, operators must follow Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin 62.00.25 and remove any part that has exceeded its safe hours (within 50 flight hours). The 2003 amendment only updates document references."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-80-amdt-1-main-rotor-and-tail-rotor-dynamic-components","history":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-80-amdt-1-main-rotor-and-tail-rotor-dynamic-components/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-80-amdt-1-main-rotor-and-tail-rotor-dynamic-components/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-80-amdt-1-main-rotor-and-tail-rotor-dynamic-components/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-80-amdt-1-main-rotor-and-tail-rotor-dynamic-components/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-80-amdt-1-main-rotor-and-tail-rotor-dynamic-components/documents"}}