{"id":"F2006B10237","name":"AD/GAZELLE/18 - Lucas Air Equipment Hoist - Explosive Squib","slug":"ad-gazelle-18-lucas-air-equipment-hoist-explosive-squib","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":55895,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B10237-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/GAZELLE/18 - Lucas Air Equipment Hoist - Explosive Squib","content":"COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nEurocopter SA341 and SA342 (Gazelle) Series Helicopters\n\nAD/GAZELLE/18 Lucas Air Equipment Hoist \\- Explosive Squib 12/92\n\nApplicability: All Gazelle helicopters, listed in the Requirement Document, fitted with Lucas Air Equipment hoist part number 76370 (all models) with serial numbers up to and including 494.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with Eurocopter France Service Bulletin No 25.06 dated 25 May 1992.\n\nCompliance: Installed Hoists \\- Prior to the first hoisting mission after 12 November 1992, where a pyrotechnic squib is installed (AD/SUPP/12 refers), but no later than 31 December 1992.\n\nSpare Hoists \\- Prior to installation.\n\nBackground: Eurocopter have advised that the possibility exists that the hoist squib may be incorrectly connected. Compliance with this Directive is necessary to ensure that the pyrotechnic squib will fire correctly when required.","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 manufacturing defect in a particular aircraft component. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of ensuring correct wiring of the hoist squib."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific mechanical issue addressed (hoist squib wiring)","Clear applicability criteria (specific part number and serial number range)","Straightforward compliance timeline with two distinct categories (installed vs spare)","No defined terms section or complex cross-referencing (only one reference to related directive AD/SUPP/12)","Short document (approximately 150 words of substantive text)","Single action required (compliance with referenced Service Bulletin)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** This is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) — a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Think of it like a recall notice for aircraft, but legally binding.\n\n**What it does:** It requires owners and operators of specific Gazelle helicopters to inspect and fix a wiring problem with their Lucas Air Equipment hoists (part number 76370, serial numbers 494 and below). The problem is that an explosive charge (called a \"pyrotechnic squib\") inside the hoist might be wired incorrectly. This squib is designed to fire in an emergency to jettison (drop) the hoist load quickly.\n\n**Who it affects:** Anyone operating Eurocopter SA341 or SA342 Gazelle helicopters fitted with the affected Lucas hoists.\n\n**What they must do:**\n- **For hoists already installed:** Fix the wiring before the first rescue/hoisting mission after 12 November 1992, and definitely before 31 December 1992.\n- **For spare hoists:** Fix the wiring before installing them on any helicopter.\n\n**Why it matters:** If the squib is wired wrong, it won't fire when needed. In an emergency — say, a rescue worker and casualty are being winched up and the helicopter needs to drop the load immediately to avoid a crash — the quick-release mechanism would fail. This could endanger lives."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive's scope, as stated in the text provided, is confined to Lucas air equipment hoists part number 76370 with serial numbers up to and including 494 fitted to Gazelle helicopters and to spare hoists prior to installation (Applicability; Compliance). The stated purpose—to ensure the squib will fire correctly—matches the actions required (Requirement; Background). There is no indication in the text that the scope departs from that original technical intent."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability: limited to Gazelle helicopters with Lucas hoist P/N 76370 and serial numbers up to 494 (Applicability).","Relies on an external technical document (Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 25.06 dated 25 May 1992) for the required actions rather than setting out steps in the directive (Requirement).","Two distinct compliance pathways and deadlines: installed hoists (before first hoisting mission after specified date or by 31 Dec 1992) and spare hoists (before installation) (Compliance).","Reference to another directive (AD/SUPP/12) where pyrotechnic squib installation is concerned, adding a cross-reference complexity (Compliance).","Operational impact and scheduling constraints for operators, including potential downtime and coordination with maintenance organisations (Compliance)."],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires inspection and corrective action on Lucas air‑equipment hoists (P/N 76370, S/N ≤494) fitted to Gazelle SA341/SA342 helicopters to ensure the pyrotechnic firing device (squib) is correctly connected and will fire when needed. Operators must follow Eurocopter Service Bulletin No. 25.06 by the specified deadlines (installed hoists before first hoisting mission after 12 Nov 1992, spare hoists before installation). Owners/operators bear costs; authorised maintenance must perform the work and aircraft may be grounded until completed."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-18-lucas-air-equipment-hoist-explosive-squib","history":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-18-lucas-air-equipment-hoist-explosive-squib/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-18-lucas-air-equipment-hoist-explosive-squib/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-18-lucas-air-equipment-hoist-explosive-squib/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-18-lucas-air-equipment-hoist-explosive-squib/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-18-lucas-air-equipment-hoist-explosive-squib/documents"}}