{"id":"F2006B10650","name":"AD/HU 269/92 - Centre Frame Aft Cluster Fittings","slug":"ad-hu-269-92-centre-frame-aft-cluster-fittings","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":116564,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B10650-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/HU 269/92 - Centre Frame Aft Cluster Fittings","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)  Schweizer (Hughes) 269 Series Helicopters\n\n \n\nAD/HU 269/92 Centre Frame Aft Cluster Fittings 6/88\n\nDM\n\n \n\nApplicability: All models and Serial Numbers listed in the Requirement documents. Requirement: Action in accordance with Schweizer SIN N-217, SIN N-220 and SIN N-221.\n\nCompliance: Initial actions to be carried out within 25 hours time in service after 30 March 1988, or prior to 31 May 1988 whichever is sooner. Thereafter, inspect in accordance with the Requirement Documents.\n\n \n\nBackground:  Boom support structure cluster fittings that are either misidentified, have stress raisers or are excessively hardened may have been fitted in new production or sold as spares. Failure of a cluster fitting may cause boom separation.\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\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete safety directive addressing a specific manufacturing defect in a particular helicopter series. The scope remains tightly focused on the identified cluster fitting issue as originally intended."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 200 words)","Only 3 defined references (the Schweizer service bulletin numbers)","Single applicability clause covering all models","Simple two-part compliance structure (initial action + recurring inspection)","No cross-references to other legislation or regulations beyond the parent Civil Aviation Regulations 1998","No conditional logic or nested exceptions","Straightforward cause-and-effect background explanation"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive (AD)** issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) that applies to **Schweizer (Hughes) 269 series helicopters**.\n\n**What it does:**\nThe directive requires helicopter owners and operators to inspect and potentially replace specific metal fittings called \"centre frame aft cluster fittings\" — these are critical parts that help hold the helicopter's tail boom (the long rear section) to the main body.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nSome of these fittings were manufactured incorrectly — they might be the wrong type, have sharp edges that cause stress cracks (\"stress raisers\"), or be too hard/brittle. If one of these fittings fails, the tail boom could separate from the helicopter during flight, causing a crash.\n\n**Who must act:**\nAnyone operating these helicopter models must follow the specific instructions in three Schweizer service bulletins (SIN N-217, N-220, and N-221).\n\n**When:**\nThe first inspection had to be done by May 31, 1988, or within 25 flight hours after March 30, 1988 — whichever came first. After that, ongoing inspections are required according to the service bulletins."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD's scope aligns with its stated purpose in the Background: identify and address possibly misidentified or improperly treated boom‑support cluster fittings on the Schweizer 269 series. It confines action to the models and serial numbers listed in the Requirement documents and to the inspections/corrective measures specified in the referenced Schweizer SINs (Applicability; Requirement; Background)."},"complexity_factors":["Cross‑references to external Schweizer Service Information Notices N‑217, N‑220, N‑221 (Requirement) — requires obtaining and following third‑party documents","Short mandatory initial compliance window (25 hours after 30 March 1988 or by 31 May 1988) (Compliance) — creates urgent scheduling pressure for operators","Applicability tied to all models/serial numbers listed in the Requirement documents (Applicability) — scope depends on those lists","Ongoing inspection obligation after the initial action (Compliance) — imposes recurring maintenance burden","Technical judgment/parts identification (misidentified, stress raisers, excessive hardening) likely required to determine corrective action (Background & Requirement)","Costs fall on operators/owners (inspection, parts, labour); regulatory direction prescribes actions rather than offering alternatives (Requirement/Compliance)"],"plain_english_summary":"Requires operators of the listed Schweizer (Hughes) 269 helicopters to carry out inspections and any corrective action set out in Schweizer Service Information Notices N‑217, N‑220 and N‑221. Initial inspection must occur within 25 hours time‑in‑service after 30 March 1988 or by 31 May 1988 (whichever is sooner), and inspections continue thereafter. The stated reason is that some boom‑support cluster fittings may be misidentified, excessively hardened or have stress‑raisers; failure could cause boom separation. Operators pay for inspections and repairs and must follow the SINs."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-hu-269-92-centre-frame-aft-cluster-fittings","history":"/api/acts/ad-hu-269-92-centre-frame-aft-cluster-fittings/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-hu-269-92-centre-frame-aft-cluster-fittings/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-hu-269-92-centre-frame-aft-cluster-fittings/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-hu-269-92-centre-frame-aft-cluster-fittings/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-hu-269-92-centre-frame-aft-cluster-fittings/documents"}}