{"id":"F2006B10236","name":"AD/GAZELLE/17 - Intermediate Gearbox Attachment","slug":"ad-gazelle-17-intermediate-gearbox-attachment","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":55894,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B10236-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/GAZELLE/17 - Intermediate Gearbox Attachment","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 22.10.0\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)  Eurocopter SA341 and SA342 (Gazelle) Series Helicopters\n\n \n\nAD/GAZELLE/17 Intermediate Gearbox Attachment 4/92\n\nApplicability: All model SA 341 and SA 342 helicopters equipped with an intermediate gearbox unmodified by AMS 341A07.1636.\n\n \n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No 65-43.\n\n \n\nNote: DGAC AD 92-011-036(B) refers.\n\n \n\nCompliance: Before 8 February1992. Thereafter reinspect at each removal/installation of the intermediate gearbox until modification AMS 341A07.1636 incorporated.\n\n \n\nBackground: Wear has been found on the forward attachment lug bolt. Allowed to continue this wear could lead to loss of the intermediate gearbox.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, time-bound safety directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in specific helicopter models. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating inspection and modification of the intermediate gearbox attachment."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical component addressed (intermediate gearbox attachment bolt)","Clear, unambiguous compliance deadline (before 8 February 1992)","Simple conditional logic: initial inspection + recurring inspections until modification installed","Only one cross-reference (to French aviation authority directive DGAC AD 92-011-036(B))","No defined terms section; uses plain technical language","Total length: approximately 150 words"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive** (a mandatory safety order) issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority for specific **Eurocopter Gazelle helicopters** (models SA341 and SA342).\n\n**What it does:**\n- Requires owners/operators to inspect the **intermediate gearbox attachment** — specifically the forward attachment lug bolt — following instructions in a manufacturer service bulletin (Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No 65-43).\n- The inspection must happen **before 8 February 1992**, and then **every time the gearbox is removed or reinstalled** until a specific modification (AMS 341A07.1636) is installed.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Operators of Gazelle helicopters that haven't had a particular factory modification installed (AMS 341A07.1636).\n\n**Why it matters:**\n- **Safety critical.** Wear had been discovered on a bolt that holds the intermediate gearbox in place. If this wear continued unchecked, the gearbox could detach in flight — a potentially catastrophic failure."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD as presented keeps a narrow, operational scope: require actions per a named service bulletin for SA 341/342 helicopters with intermediate gearboxes unmodified by AMS 341A07.1636, set a fixed initial compliance date, and require reinspections at each gearbox removal/installation until the modification is fitted. There is no indication in the text that the scope has been broadened or narrowed relative to that stated intent."},"complexity_factors":["Short, focused scope limited to SA 341 and SA 342 helicopters with intermediate gearbox unmodified by AMS 341A07.1636 (Applicability)","Operational action deferred to an external technical document: Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No 65-43 (Requirement)","Fixed compliance deadline plus a recurring inspection trigger linked to gearbox removal/installation (Compliance)","Technical detail (what exactly to inspect/repair) not contained in the AD itself but in the service bulletin, requiring maintenance organisations to interpret and follow that bulletin (Requirement)"],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires owners/operators of Eurocopter SA 341/342 (Gazelle) helicopters with the original intermediate gearbox to perform inspections and corrective actions per Aerospatiale Service Bulletin No 65‑43, initially before 8 February 1992 and thereafter at every gearbox removal/installation until AMS 341A07.1636 is fitted. It responds to wear that could cause gearbox loss, places compliance costs on operators, and creates a choice: recurrent inspections or a one‑off modification to end them."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-17-intermediate-gearbox-attachment","history":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-17-intermediate-gearbox-attachment/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-17-intermediate-gearbox-attachment/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-17-intermediate-gearbox-attachment/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-17-intermediate-gearbox-attachment/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-17-intermediate-gearbox-attachment/documents"}}