{"id":"F2006B10585","name":"AD/HU 269/109 Amdt 1 - Tail Rotor Swashplate Shaft Inspection","slug":"ad-hu-269-109-amdt-1-tail-rotor-swashplate-shaft-inspection","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":116433,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B10585-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/HU 269/109 Amdt 1 - Tail Rotor Swashplate Shaft Inspection","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)  \n![](image.002.png)  \nSchweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters\n\nAIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE\n\n![](image.002.png)\n\n![](image.002.png)  \nFor the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/HU 269/109 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 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\nAD/HU 269/109\n\nAmdt 1\n\n  \nTail Rotor Swashplate Shaft Inspection 13/2000\n\nApplicability: Schweizer (Hughes) Model 269A, 269A-1, 269B, 269C, 269C-1, 269D and TH-55A Helicopters equipped with a;\n\n    Part number (P/N) 269A6049-3 tail rotor swashplate assembly shipped from the Schweizer factory as a spare between 1 September 1998 and 1 December 1998 inclusive; or\n\n    2. P/N 269A6049-3 tail rotor swashplate assembly shipped from the Schweizer factory as a spare where the shipping date is unknown; or\n\n    3. P/N 269A6050-5 tail rotor control assembly serial number S1047 through S1061 inclusive.\n\nRequirement: 1\\. Comply with “PROCEDURE, PART I, Check for Looseness:” of Schweizer Service Bulletin B-271.1, C1B-009.1 or DB-007.1, all dated 14 Oct 1999, as applicable.\n\n    2. Comply with “PROCEDURE, PART II, Inspect for Proper Size:” of Schweizer Service Bulletin B-271.1, C1B-009.1 or DB-007.1, all dated 14 Oct 1999, as applicable.\n\n    3. For spare assemblies described in 1., 2. or 3. of the Applicability section of this airworthiness directive; comply with the relevant steps of “PROCEDURE, PART II, Inspect for Proper Size:” of Schweizer Service Bulletin B-271.1, C1B-009 or DB-007.1, all dated 14 Oct 1999, as applicable.\n\nConfirmation of swashplate size for correctness is closing action for this Directive.\n\nNote: FAA Airworthiness Directive 2000-16-05 , Amendment 39-11859 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Unless previously accomplished, within 10 flight hours of the effective date of this airworthiness directive amendment and thereafter at 10 flight hour intervals until Requirement 2. of this airworthiness directive has been accomplished.\n\nCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 \\- 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY\n\nSCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES\n\n    2. Unless previously accomplished; at the next scheduled 100-Hour or Annual Inspection, whichever occurs first.\n\n    3. Prior to installation onto a helicopter.\n\nThis Amendment becomes effective on 28 December 2000.\n\nBackground: An undersized replacement swashplate shaft was discovered during routine maintenance in the US. An undersized shaft could lead to failure of the shaft and loss of control of the helicopter. This Directive is to check all helicopters for correctly sized shafts and to remove and replace any that are found to be undersized. This amendment has been raised to: add an additional helicopter model, clarify which helicopters are affected, include requirements for affected assemblies held as spares and to refer to the latest issue of the relevant Schweizer service bulletins as the action documents. Helicopters complying with the original issue of the airworthiness directive could be affected by this amendment as some helicopters may now not be applicable.\n\nThe original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 29 September 1999.\n\n![](image.003.png)  \n\nEugene Paul Holzapfel\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 13 November 2000\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 22 November 2000.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The amendment broadened and clarified scope compared with the original AD: it added an additional helicopter model, clarified which helicopters and assemblies are affected, included requirements specifically for spare assemblies, and updated the action documents to the latest Schweizer service bulletins (Background)."},"complexity_factors":["Targeting multiple helicopter models and specific part numbers/serials (Applicability: P/N 269A6049-3 shipped 1 Sep–1 Dec 1998; unknown shipping date spares; P/N 269A6050-5 S/N S1047–S1061) increases tracing and inventory work.","Procedure references three separate Schweizer Service Bulletins (B-271.1, C1B-009.1, DB-007.1, all dated 14 Oct 1999) so implementers must identify the applicable bulletin for each helicopter (Requirement: procedures 1–3).","Short, repetitive inspection cadence: initial check within 10 flight hours and then every 10 flight hours until the size inspection (Requirement 2) is completed, creating an ongoing operational burden (Compliance: 1).","Different compliance triggers: one-time size inspection at the next 100-hour or annual inspection (Compliance: 2) versus prior-to-installation requirement for spares (Compliance: 3) complicates maintenance scheduling.","Confirmation of swashplate size is the formal closing action for the AD, requiring recordkeeping and positive verification before release-to-service (Requirement: 'Confirmation of swashplate size ... is closing action').","Amendment elements (adding models, clarifying affected helicopters, including spares, and referencing latest bulletins) create re-assessment obligations for operators who complied with the original AD (Background).","Cross-reference to FAA AD 2000-16-05 adds an external compliance/interpretation source that implementers may need to consult (Note).","Effective date and retroactive applicability for spares with unknown shipping dates introduce legal/operational uncertainty for parts inventories (Compliance: effective date 28 December 2000; Applicability: unknown shipping date spares)."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires inspection and, if necessary, replacement of the tail-rotor swashplate shaft on specified Schweizer (Hughes) 269-series helicopters and certain spare assemblies. Affects owners, operators and maintenance organisations handling the listed part numbers and serial-numbered assemblies. It matters because an undersized shaft can fail and cause loss of control; the directive imposes short inspection intervals and prevents installation of unconfirmed spare assemblies."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This amendment has expanded beyond the original directive's scope. The background section explicitly states this amendment adds: (1) an additional helicopter model (269D), (2) clarification of applicability criteria, (3) new requirements for spare assemblies held in inventory (not just installed parts), and (4) updated references to latest service bulletins. The document also notes that helicopters complying with the original issue may now be affected differently—some may no longer be applicable, while others newly are."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple applicability conditions requiring cross-referencing of part numbers, date ranges, and serial numbers","Three separate compliance deadlines depending on circumstances (10-flight-hour intervals, next scheduled inspection, or pre-installation)","References to three different manufacturer service bulletins (B-271.1, C1B-009.1, DB-007.1) that must be consulted for actual procedures","Nested requirements: Requirement 3 refers back to Applicability items 1, 2, and 3","Amendment structure creates conditional logic (\"Unless previously accomplished\")","Technical aviation terminology requires domain knowledge (swashplate, flight hours, 100-Hour Inspection)"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive targets Schweizer/Hughes 269-series helicopters after discovery that some replacement tail rotor swashplate shafts (shipped in late 1998 or with unknown dates) are undersized. Because a too-small shaft can fail and cause loss of tail rotor control, owners/operators must inspect for looseness, measure shafts at the next 100‑hour/annual check, and verify spare parts per updated manufacturer procedures. Amendment 1 expands affected models, clarifies applicability, and updates inspection guidance."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-hu-269-109-amdt-1-tail-rotor-swashplate-shaft-inspection","history":"/api/acts/ad-hu-269-109-amdt-1-tail-rotor-swashplate-shaft-inspection/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-hu-269-109-amdt-1-tail-rotor-swashplate-shaft-inspection/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-hu-269-109-amdt-1-tail-rotor-swashplate-shaft-inspection/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-hu-269-109-amdt-1-tail-rotor-swashplate-shaft-inspection/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-hu-269-109-amdt-1-tail-rotor-swashplate-shaft-inspection/documents"}}