{"id":"F2006B06441","name":"AD/R22/37 Amdt 2 - Forward Flexplate","slug":"ad-r22-37-amdt-2-forward-flexplate","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":47869,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06441-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/R22/37 Amdt 2 - Forward Flexplate","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)  \nRobinson R22 Series Helicopters\n\nAD/R22/37\n\nAmdt 2\n\n  \n\nForward Flexplate 9/98 DM\n\nApplicability: All R22 series helicopters fitted with flexplates P/N A193-1 or A947-1 Rev A thru D.\n\nRequirement: Replace all flexplates P/N A193-1 or A947-1 Rev A thru D with a flexplate P/N A947-1 E or F in accordance with Robinson R22 Service Bulletin SB75.\n\nNote: FAA Priority Letter AD 98-14-08 refers.\n\nCompliance: Unless previously accomplished, within 25 Hours TIS from issue of this directive or by 31 July 1998, whichever occurs first.\n\nThis amendment becomes effective on 8 July 1998.\n\nBackground: In 1993 the Australian CAA received advice that two flexplates located in the forward position of the tail rotor drive shaft had failed. In 1994 the NZ Airworthiness Authorities advised that a similar flexplate failure had recently occurred there. One flexplate had taken approximately 300 flights from the corrosion pit initiation until the final failure. The FAA and the manufacturer were advised with the FAA subsequently issuing AD 94-11-01. In May 1998 an aircraft crashed in NZ due to a flexplate failure. This aircraft had the pre A947-1 Revision E flexplate fitted. FAA has subsequently determined that repetitive inspections are insufficient to ensure airworthiness. This amendment provides closing action by requiring replacement of faulty flexplates.\n\nAmendment 1 to this airworthiness directive became effective on 14 December 1994\\. The original issue of this airworthiness directive became effective on 15 June 1994.","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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment remains tightly focused on its original purpose: addressing flexplate failures in Robinson R22 helicopters. Amendment 2 simply updates the mandatory action from repetitive inspections (Amendment 1) to complete replacement, reflecting new safety data from the 1998 New Zealand crash. The scope has not expanded beyond the specific mechanical defect it was created to address."},"complexity_factors":["Single, unambiguous requirement (replace specific part numbers)","Only 2 part numbers affected with clear revision ranges","Simple compliance deadline (25 hours OR fixed date, whichever first)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic","No defined terms section — all terminology is standard aviation maintenance language","Short document (under 300 words)","Single cross-reference to FAA document for context only, not for operative provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"The Civil Aviation Safety Authority orders all Robinson R22 owners/operators to replace corrodible tail-rotor flexplates (part numbers A193-1 or A947-1, revisions A–D) with the newer revision E or F immediately. \n\nThis mandatory safety action responds to corrosion-related flexplate failures (including a May 1998 NZ crash) and must be completed within 25 flight hours of the order or by 31 July 1998, whichever comes first."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Yes. The directive moves from a prior inspection/monitoring approach to mandatory replacement as a 'closing action' — replacing pre-Revision E flexplates rather than relying on repetitive inspections, because inspections were judged insufficient (Background). This shifts obligations from ongoing inspection to a one-time parts-replacement mandate, concentrating upfront cost and scheduling impact on operators."},"complexity_factors":["Technical specificity of affected parts: exact part numbers and revision levels (P/N A193-1 or A947-1 Rev A–D → A947-1 Rev E/F) increases inspection and procurement precision requirements (Applicability; Requirement).","Tight compliance window: replacement within 25 hours TIS or by a fixed calendar date imposes scheduling and operational disruption for operators (Compliance).","Mandated method reference: compliance requires following Robinson R22 Service Bulletin SB75, creating dependence on manufacturer's instructions for acceptable work scope and evidence (Requirement).","Cross-jurisdictional references: notes FAA Priority Letter AD 98-14-08 and prior FAA AD 94-11-01, which may affect interpretation and coordination for internationally operated aircraft (Note; Background).","Regulatory history and amendment layering: this is Amendment 2, replacing a prior inspection-based regime and referencing earlier amendments, which can complicate tracing obligations for operators and maintainers (Background; final paragraphs).","Practical risks: potential parts availability, costs of replacement, and recordkeeping to demonstrate compliance are material operational burdens implicit in the directive (Requirement; Compliance; Background)."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires owners/operators of Robinson R22 helicopters fitted with flexplates P/N A193-1 or A947-1 Rev A–D to replace them with flexplate P/N A947-1 Rev E or F, following Robinson R22 Service Bulletin SB75. Compliance is within 25 hours time-in-service or by 31 July 1998.\n\nThe directive follows reports of corrosion-related flexplate failures and a New Zealand crash; the FAA judged repetitive inspections insufficient. Operators pay for parts and labour and face a short compliance window to complete the mandated replacement."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-r22-37-amdt-2-forward-flexplate","history":"/api/acts/ad-r22-37-amdt-2-forward-flexplate/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-r22-37-amdt-2-forward-flexplate/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-r22-37-amdt-2-forward-flexplate/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-r22-37-amdt-2-forward-flexplate/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-r22-37-amdt-2-forward-flexplate/documents"}}