{"id":"F2009L03257","name":"AD/JBK 117/33 - Long Drive Shaft Rivets","slug":"ad-jbk-117-33-long-drive-shaft-rivets","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":140666,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2009L03257-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Kawasaki BK 117 Series Helicopters","sectionType":"division","heading":"Kawasaki BK 117 Series Helicopters","content":"### Kawasaki BK 117 Series Helicopters\n\n| AD/JBK 117/33 | Long Drive Shaft Rivets | 11/2009 DM |\n| ------------- | ----------------------- | ---------- |\n\n| Applicability: | Kawasaki BK 117 C-2 helicopters.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |\n| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement:   | 1. Inspect the long T/R drive shaft in accordance with the instructions of Kawasaki Service Bulletin (SB) No. KSB-117-306 dated 16 June May 2009 or later JCAB approved revision.2. If, during the inspection detailed in Requirement 1 of this AD, blind rivets are found to be installed on the long T/R drive shaft, replace the affected T/R drive shaft assembly with a serviceable unit in accordance with the instructions of SB No. KSB-117-306 or later JCAB approved revision.3. Do not repair any long T/R drive shaft in accordance with the instructions of Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) Chapter 65-11-00, 8-3; andDo not install on a helicopter any long T/R drive shaft that has been repaired in accordance with AMM Chapter 65-11-00, 8-3.Note: Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) AD No. TCD-7496-2009 dated1 July 2009 refers. |\n| Compliance:    | For Requirements 1 and 2 - Before further flight after the effective date of this AD.For Requirement 3 - From the effective date of this AD.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 1 September 2009.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |\n| Background:    | During a recent review of the Aircraft Maintenance Manual it was discovered that this document erroneously allowed the replacement of the solid rivets on the long T/R drive shaft with blind rivets.This condition, if not corrected, could lead to a significant reduction of the lifetime of the long T/R drive shaft, potentially resulting in failure of the T/R drive shaft and consequent loss of control of the helicopter.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |\n\n|     | This AD requires a one-time inspection of all long T/R drive shafts to verify that correct (solid) rivets are installed and, if blind rivets are found, the replacement of the T/R drive shaft assembly. In addition, this AD prohibits any further application of the erroneous AMM (which will be revised) repair instructions for long T/R drive shafts. |\n| --- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nJames Coyne  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n19 August 2009","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/JBK 117/33","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/JBK 117/33","content":"## AD/JBK 117/33","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Long Drive Shaft Rivets","sectionType":"part","heading":"Long Drive Shaft Rivets","content":"## Long Drive Shaft Rivets","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"11/2009 DM","sectionType":"part","heading":"11/2009 DM","content":"## 11/2009 DM","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD implements a corrective scope consistent with its stated purpose: require a one‑time inspection, mandate replacement of shafts found to have blind rivets, and prohibit the AMM repair instruction that allowed blind rivet use. It does not expand beyond correcting the AMM error described in the Background and the specific actions set out in Requirements 1–3."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability: applies only to Kawasaki BK 117 C‑2 helicopters (Applicability).","Immediate operational effect: inspection and any required replacement must be done before further flight (Compliance; Requirements 1–2).","Mixed actions: one‑time inspection, conditional mandatory replacement of the assembly if blind rivets are found, and an ongoing prohibition on a specific repair method (Requirements 1–3).","Dependence on external technical documents: inspection and replacement must follow Kawasaki Service Bulletin KSB‑117‑306 or later JCAB‑approved revisions (Requirement 1), and the AD references JCAB AD TCD‑7496‑2009 (Note).","Terminology and conformity risk: term 'serviceable unit' and the prohibition of AMM Chapter 65‑11‑00, 8‑3 repairs require maintenance/authority interpretation and record updates (Requirement 2–3).","Compliance logistics: replacing an assembly before further flight creates potential short‑term grounding and parts‑provision obligations for operators (Requirement 2).","Safety rationale tied to a documented AMM error that permitted blind rivets, creating a lifecycle and failure‑risk concern (Background)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive applies to Kawasaki BK 117 C‑2 helicopters. It mandates a one‑time inspection of the long tail‑rotor (T/R) drive shaft; if blind (pop) rivets are found the entire T/R drive shaft assembly must be replaced with a serviceable unit, and the AD prohibits repairing or reinstalling shafts using the AMM Chapter 65‑11‑00, 8‑3 method. It must be complied with before further flight (effective 1 September 2009), to correct an AMM error that could shorten shaft life and risk failure."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope — addressing a specific maintenance error on a specific helicopter component. It has not expanded beyond its initial safety purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 300 words)","Only 3 substantive requirements with clear sequential logic","Single defined term (JCAB - Japan Civil Aviation Bureau) used only in a note","No cross-references to other legislation or complex conditional logic","Simple applicability test (specific helicopter model only)","Straightforward compliance dates with no exceptions or extensions"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD for Kawasaki BK 117 C-2 helicopters requires checks of the long tail-rotor drive shaft to ensure solid rivets (not weaker blind rivets) were used, mandates replacement of any shafts with blind rivets, and prohibits the faulty maintenance instruction that allowed blind rivets. \n\nIt affects owners, operators and maintenance engineers; it matters because a drive-shaft failure can cause loss of tail-rotor control and a catastrophic crash. Actions tied to 1 September 2009 deadlines."},"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"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-jbk-117-33-long-drive-shaft-rivets","history":"/api/acts/ad-jbk-117-33-long-drive-shaft-rivets/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-jbk-117-33-long-drive-shaft-rivets/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-jbk-117-33-long-drive-shaft-rivets/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-jbk-117-33-long-drive-shaft-rivets/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-jbk-117-33-long-drive-shaft-rivets/documents"}}