{"id":"F2006B10248","name":"AD/GAZELLE/3 - Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Bearings - Inspection","slug":"ad-gazelle-3-tail-rotor-drive-shaft-bearings-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":55919,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B10248-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/GAZELLE/3 - Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Bearings - Inspection","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/3 Tail Rotor Drive Shaft Bearings - Inspection 9/76\n\nApplicability: All models SA341 and SA342 fitted with:\n\n \n\n1. Horizontal transmission shaft 341A.34.1106.00, .01 or .03 without elastomer sleeve 341A.34.1034.20 (Modification S208-AMS 07.9016).\n\n\n \n\n2.    a. Horizontal transmission shaft 341A.34.1106.00, .01, .02 or .03. 2. b. Complying shaft 341A.34.1114.00, .01 or .02.\n\n3.    Bearing attachment straps 341A.34.1033.00. Document: Aerospatiale Gazelle SB 341-542 05.07. Compliance:               In accordance with the requirement document.\n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, original Airworthiness Directive from 1976 (indicated by '9/76' in the reference number). It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of mandating specific bearing inspections for Gazelle helicopters. ADs are typically narrow, technical instruments and this one remains focused on its original safety issue."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose directive (approximately 150 words)","Only 3 specific applicability conditions using part numbers","Single cross-reference to manufacturer service bulletin (SB 341-542)","No defined terms section — relies on standard aviation terminology","No nested exceptions or conditional compliance timelines","Straightforward compliance requirement: 'In accordance with the requirement document'"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** — essentially a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for specific helicopters.\n\n**What it does:**\nOrders owners and operators of certain **Eurocopter SA341 and SA342 Gazelle helicopters** to inspect the bearings on their tail rotor drive shafts. The tail rotor keeps the helicopter from spinning uncontrollably, so if these bearings fail, the aircraft could crash.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Owners and operators of Gazelle helicopters with specific part numbers for their horizontal transmission shafts and bearing attachment straps (listed as items 1, 2, and 3 in the document).\n- This covers helicopters with certain original equipment OR modified shafts, but excludes those with a specific elastomer sleeve modification already installed.\n\n**What must be done:**\nOperators must follow the inspection procedures laid out in **Aerospatiale Service Bulletin 341-542** dated 5 July 1976. This is a technical document from the manufacturer detailing exactly how to check these bearings for wear, damage, or failure.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nAirworthiness Directives are legally binding. If you don't comply, you cannot fly the aircraft. This particular AD addresses a known safety risk with bearing failures in the tail rotor drive system that could lead to loss of control."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The provided directive defines its applicability and requires inspections in accordance with the named Aerospatiale service bulletin. The text does not indicate any amendment or expansion beyond that scope, nor does it compare itself to a prior instrument; therefore no change in scope from an earlier intent is evident from the supplied document."},"complexity_factors":["Technical specificity of affected components (multiple part numbers for shafts, sleeves and straps). (Applicability items 1–3)","Reliance on an external requirement document (Aerospatiale Gazelle SB 341-542 05.07) for procedural detail and timing rather than including those details in the directive. (Document/Compliance)","Narrow applicability that requires operators to check aircraft configuration to determine whether the directive applies (identifying installed part numbers). (Applicability items 1–3)","Potential operational consequences (possible grounding or repairs) that depend on findings from inspections in the external document, introducing conditional complexity. (Document/Compliance)","Limited text in the directive itself creates interpretive dependence on the service bulletin and on operator maintenance records, increasing administrative and compliance effort. (Document/Compliance)"],"plain_english_summary":"This directive mandates inspection of tail‑rotor drive shaft bearings on Eurocopter Gazelle SA341/SA342 helicopters fitted with the listed horizontal transmission shafts, elastomer sleeve and bearing straps, in accordance with Aerospatiale Service Bulletin SB 341‑542 05.07. \n\nIt affects owners/operators of those helicopters, who must verify fitted parts, carry out the SB inspections and any corrective actions; compliance costs (labour, parts, downtime) fall to operators and non‑compliance risks grounding or unsafe operation."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-3-tail-rotor-drive-shaft-bearings-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-3-tail-rotor-drive-shaft-bearings-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-3-tail-rotor-drive-shaft-bearings-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-3-tail-rotor-drive-shaft-bearings-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-3-tail-rotor-drive-shaft-bearings-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-gazelle-3-tail-rotor-drive-shaft-bearings-inspection/documents"}}