{"id":"F2006B06453","name":"AD/R22/48 - Sprag Clutch","slug":"ad-r22-48-sprag-clutch","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":47909,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06453-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","sectionType":"part","heading":"AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE","content":"# AIRWORTHINESS 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 issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/R22/48 Sprag Clutch 7/2000","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/R22/48 Sprag Clutch 7/2000","content":"# AD/R22/48 Sprag Clutch 7/2000\n\nApplicability: Model R22 helicopters serial number 0002 through 2862 fitted with S/N sprag clutch as detailed in Robinson SB-85.\n\nRequirement: 1. Replace sprag clutch P/N 188-2 in accordance with the procedures detailed in Robinson Service Bulletin SB-85.\n\n2. Remove the pink page Special Pilot Caution covering autorotation with a possible defective sprag clutch from the Normal Procedures Section of the R22 flight manual.\n\nNote : FAA AD 2000-08-09 Amendment 39-11695 and FAA AD 99-07-17 refers.\n\nCompliance: 1. Unless previously carried out, within 30 calendar days or 50 hours time in service, whichever occurs first, from the effective date of this Directive.\n\n2. Upon accomplishment of Requirement 1.\n\nThis Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 13 July 2000.\n\nBackground: Robinson Helicopter Co has advised that several sprag clutches have been returned from service with cracked sprag ends. To prevent sprag clutch failure with possible loss of main rotor RPM this Directive mandates replacement of the sprag clutch assembly.\n\n![Signature of Eugene Paul Holzapfel Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority](image.003.png)  \n\nEugene Paul Holzapfel\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 19 May 2000\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 14 June 2000.","sortOrder":1}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD remains narrowly focused on correcting the unsafe condition identified by the manufacturer—cracked sprag ends on a specific sprag clutch assembly fitted to specified R22 serial numbers (Background; Requirement). It does not expand beyond that technical remedy (replacement of P/N 188-2 and removal of a temporary pilot caution), so it has not grown beyond its original safety-focused purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Short instrument: 1-page AD with limited sections (Applicability, Requirement, Compliance, Background).","Single defined hardware item: sprag clutch P/N 188-2—no complex definitions or multiple part variants.","Limited applicability: single model (R22) and a contiguous serial-number range (0002–2862).","Two compliance actions only: replacement and flight-manual page removal.","Simple timing condition: within 30 calendar days or 50 hours TIS, whichever occurs first.","Cross-reference to Robinson Service Bulletin SB-85 and to two FAA ADs (adds external dependency but minimal internal complexity)."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument is**\n\n- This is an Airworthiness Directive (AD). An AD is a legally enforceable safety instruction issued by the aviation regulator that requires specific work or changes to aircraft or aeronautical products to correct an identified unsafe condition (see Requirement and Background).\n\n**What it requires, mechanically**\n\n- Applicability: Applies to Robinson R22 helicopters, serial numbers 0002 through 2862, that are fitted with the sprag clutch identified by the serial number(s) in Robinson Service Bulletin SB-85 (Applicability).\n- Mandatory action: Replace the sprag clutch part number 188-2 following the procedures in Robinson Service Bulletin SB-85 (Requirement 1).\n- Follow-up action: After you replace the sprag clutch, remove the pink-page Special Pilot Caution about autorotation and possible defective sprag clutch from the Normal Procedures section of the R22 flight manual (Requirement 2).\n- Timing: The replacement must be done within 30 calendar days or 50 hours time-in-service (TIS), whichever happens first, from the AD’s effective date (Compliance 1). The flight-manual change is required upon completion of the replacement (Compliance 2).\n\n**Why the regulator required it**\n\n- The manufacturer (Robinson) reported that several sprag clutches were returned with cracked sprag ends. Cracking can lead to sprag clutch failure and a potential loss of main rotor RPM. The AD mandates replacement to correct that unsafe condition (Background).\n\n**Who is affected and who pays**\n\n- Affected parties: Owners and operators of R22 helicopters in the specified serial-number range that have the identified sprag clutch fitted (Applicability).\n- Who pays: The operator or owner must bear the direct cost of inspection/maintenance and replacement (parts, labour, possible aircraft downtime). If operators rely on an authorised maintenance organisation or the manufacturer for parts/service, those providers may charge for the work.\n\n**How it changes behaviour and risks/costs**\n\n- Behavioural change: Operators must schedule and carry out the replacement promptly and update the flight manual as required. Until the replacement is carried out, any risks associated with the suspect sprag clutch remain.\n- Concentration of costs: Costs are concentrated on the subset of R22 owners/operators with affected serial numbers and the specified part installed; safety benefits are distributed (reducing risk to pilots/passengers and third parties).\n- Compliance burden: Short deadline (30 days or 50 hours TIS) can force expedited maintenance, possible aircraft downtime and logistic pressure for parts and qualified technicians (Compliance 1).\n- Implementation risks: Potential supply constraints for replacement parts, maintenance scheduling difficulties, and operator administrative burden to record compliance. The AD requires following Robinson SB-85 procedures, so effective reliance is placed on the manufacturer’s service instructions (Requirement 1).\n\n**Interactions and references**\n\n- The AD references and aligns with relevant FAA ADs (FAA AD 2000-08-09 and FAA AD 99-07-17) and Robinson Service Bulletin SB-85 (Note; Requirement 1). That creates cross-jurisdictional and manufacturer-dependent compliance pathways.\n\n**Mechanics of enforcement and timing**\n\n- This AD is issued under subregulation 39.1(1) of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 and is legally binding on affected operators. The AD’s effective date is 13 July 2000 (Compliance; Effective date). Failure to comply can expose operators to regulatory action and may render the aircraft unairworthy.\n\n**Plain takeaways**\n\n- If you operate an R22 within the serial numbers listed and have the specified sprag clutch, you must replace the clutch within the short compliance window and then remove the special caution page from the flight manual. The cost and logistic burden falls on the aircraft owner/operator; the stated safety benefit is prevention of sprag-clutch failure that could cause loss of main rotor RPM (Applicability; Requirement; Background)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope: addressing a specific mechanical defect in a specific helicopter model. The scope has not expanded beyond the original safety issue of cracked sprag clutches."},"complexity_factors":["Single mechanical component replacement with clear part number (P/N 188-2)","Straightforward applicability: one helicopter model, specific serial number range","Simple two-part requirement with sequential dependency (Requirement 2 depends on Requirement 1)","Clear compliance deadline using 'whichever occurs first' logic","Only one external reference (Robinson Service Bulletin SB-85) for technical procedures","No nested definitions, no conditional exceptions, no cross-references to other legislation beyond noting related FAA directives"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA safety order mandates owners/operators of Robinson R22 helicopters (S/N 0002–2862) to replace a potentially cracked sprag clutch—critical to maintaining rotor RPM in engine-out autorotations—within 30 days or 50 flight hours of 13 July 2000, and to remove the temporary “pink page” flight manual warning after the replacement. It’s a compulsory fix to prevent sprag failure that could cause loss of rotor speed and catastrophic autorotation failure."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-r22-48-sprag-clutch","history":"/api/acts/ad-r22-48-sprag-clutch/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-r22-48-sprag-clutch/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-r22-48-sprag-clutch/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-r22-48-sprag-clutch/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-r22-48-sprag-clutch/documents"}}