{"id":"F2006B09398","name":"AD/ECUREUIL/97 - Pilot's Cyclic Stick Friction Washers","slug":"ad-ecureuil-97-pilot-s-cyclic-stick-friction-washers","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":53741,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B09398-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.001.png)  \n\nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/ECUREUIL/97 Pilot's Cyclic Stick Fric","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/ECUREUIL/97 Pilot's Cyclic Stick Friction Washers 6/2004","content":"# AD/ECUREUIL/97 Pilot's Cyclic Stick Friction Washers 6/2004\n\nDM\n\nApplicability: Model EC 130 B4 helicopters, pre Mod 073531 and fitted with:\n\n    \\- thrust washer part number C671A1006201, of the pilot’s cyclic stick friction device,\n\n    \\- pilot’s cyclic sticks, part number 350A27-5215-00.\n\nRequirement: 1. Flights without friction applied to the pilot’s cyclic stick are prohibited.\n\n    2. Remove the pilot’s cyclic stick and replace the thrust washers in accordance with paragraph 2 of Eurocopter EC 130 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 67A005.\n\n    3. Replace the stock of washers and modify pilot’s cyclic sticks, held as spares, in accordance with paragraph 2.B.5 of ASB No. 67A005.\n\nNote: DGAC AD F-2004-058 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. During each flight after 5 May 2004 until Requirement 2 is accomplished.\n\n    2. Within 550 flight hours or 6 months after 5 May 2004, whichever occurs first.\n\n    3. Before installation on a helicopter.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 5 May 2004.\n\nBackground: A report was received of sudden restriction of cyclic stick travel on an EC 120 B helicopter during a flight when the cyclic stick was moved back to neutral.\n\n![Signature of David Villiers, Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.](image.002.png)  \n\nDavid Villiers\n\n![](image.001.png)Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 29 April 2004","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in a specific helicopter model. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of correcting unsafe cyclic stick friction washers."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical issue addressed","Only 3 requirements with clear, sequential numbering","Limited applicability — only 2 specific part numbers and 1 helicopter model affected","Straightforward compliance timeline (550 hours OR 6 months)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic","References only one external document (Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 67A005)"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a **safety order** issued by Australia's aviation safety regulator (CASA) for specific Eurocopter helicopters.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Bans flying** certain EC 130 B4 helicopters unless the pilot's cyclic stick (the main control stick) has friction applied to it.\n- **Requires replacement** of faulty thrust washers in the cyclic stick mechanism within 550 flight hours or 6 months.\n- **Covers spare parts too** — any replacement cyclic sticks or washers in stock must be fixed before installation.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of **EC 130 B4 helicopters** that haven't had a specific factory modification (Mod 073531) and have particular part numbers installed.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nA helicopter's cyclic stick controls the direction of flight. A report revealed the stick could suddenly jam or restrict movement — a dangerous situation in flight. This directive prevents accidents by grounding affected aircraft until the faulty washers are replaced."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD targets a specific unsafe condition by applying only to EC 130 B4 helicopters with the listed thrust washer and cyclic stick part numbers and to spares. It does not expand applicability to other models in the text; the background notes a report on an EC 120 B but the mandatory requirements are confined to the stated EC 130 B4 configuration."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability tied to airframe configuration and part numbers (Model EC 130 B4 pre Mod 073531; thrust washer P/N C671A1006201; cyclic stick P/N 350A27-5215-00) — requires records/parts checks.","Immediate operational restriction: Requirement 1 prohibits flights without friction applied to the pilot's cyclic stick (Compliance: each flight after 5 May 2004 until replacement) — ongoing operational compliance burden.","Maintenance actions required: remove cyclic stick and replace thrust washers per Eurocopter EC 130 ASB No. 67A005 paragraph 2 — depends on access to ASB procedures and maintenance resources.","Compliance window: replace within 550 flight hours or 6 months after 5 May 2004 (whichever first) — creates scheduling and parts‑supply pressures.","Spare parts control: stock of washers and spare sticks must be modified/updated before installation (Requirement 3 / ASB para 2.B.5) — administrative control of spares.","Cross‑reference to foreign authority and service bulletin (DGAC AD F-2004-058; Eurocopter ASB) increases dependency on external documents for correct implementation.","Enforceable legal instrument issued under CASR subregulation 39.1(1) (front matter) — discretion lies with CASA delegate to define corrective action; AD specifies required actions and timings."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Eurocopter EC 130 B4 helicopters (pre‑Mod 073531) fitted with specified cyclic stick thrust washers and sticks to keep cyclic stick friction engaged during flight, replace the thrust washers within 550 flight hours or six months, and modify spare sticks before fitting. It aims to address a reported sudden restriction in cyclic stick travel by mandating parts replacement and compliance with Eurocopter service bulletin instructions."},"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-97-pilot-s-cyclic-stick-friction-washers","history":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-97-pilot-s-cyclic-stick-friction-washers/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-97-pilot-s-cyclic-stick-friction-washers/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-97-pilot-s-cyclic-stick-friction-washers/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-97-pilot-s-cyclic-stick-friction-washers/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ecureuil-97-pilot-s-cyclic-stick-friction-washers/documents"}}