{"id":"F2006B06736","name":"AD/S-76/60 - Swashplate Assembly Uniball Bearing Retainer","slug":"ad-s-76-60-swashplate-assembly-uniball-bearing-retainer","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":114563,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B06736-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/S-76/60 - Swashplate Assembly Uniball Bearing Retainer","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)  \nSikorsky S-76 Series Helicopters\n\nAD/S-76/60 Swashplate Assembly Uniball Bearing Retainer 11/98\n\nTX\n\nApplicability: Model S76A, B, and C helicopters, serial numbers prior to 760488, with swashplate assembly, part numbers 76104-08000-044, \\-045, \\-046, or 76104-08500-041 or \\-043 installed.\n\nRequirement: 1. Conduct a one-time visual inspection of the swashplate assembly uniball bearing retainer (retainer) to determine whether any retainer bolts are missing. Replace any missing retainer bolt with a serviceable AN3-5A bolt.\n\n2. Conduct a one-time inspection of each swashplate assembly retainer bolt (12 installed), with a magnet to verify that a steel bolt is installed. The steel bolts will attract the magnet, the aluminium bolts will not. Replace any aluminium bolt, one at a time, with a serviceable AN3-5A bolt.\n\nNote 1: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin 76-65-47, dated July 31, 1998, pertains to the subject of this directive.\n\nNote 2: FAA Priority Letter AD 98-17-15 refers.\n\nCompliance: Unless already accomplished, before further flight after 18 August 1998.\n\nThis airworthiness directive becomes effective on 18 August 1998.\n\nBackground: The FAA received reports of the installation of aluminium bolts on certain swashplate assemblies. This Directive requires inspections to determine if bolts are missing and, additionally, if aluminium bolts are installed.","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 Airworthiness Directive remains tightly scoped to its original purpose: addressing the specific safety hazard of incorrect bolt installation in S-76 helicopter swashplate assemblies. The directive does not expand beyond the immediate safety issue identified by the FAA."},"complexity_factors":["Single, discrete safety issue addressed with straightforward inspection requirements","Only 2 specific actions required (visual inspection + magnet test)","Clear applicability criteria using specific model numbers and part numbers","No cross-references to other legislation or complex conditional logic","Single compliance deadline with no exceptions or alternative methods","Minimal defined terms — relies on standard aviation terminology"],"plain_english_summary":"This FAA safety order requires urgent, one-time inspections of the Sikorsky S-76 swashplate assembly to find missing bolts and to use a magnet to confirm installed bolts are steel (not aluminum). Any missing or aluminum bolts must be replaced with AN3-5A steel bolts.\n\nIt applies to S-76A/B/C helicopters (serials before 760488) with specified swashplate parts and must be complied with before any further flight after 18 August 1998."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive enforces targeted inspections and replacements for identified helicopters and parts as a corrective safety action following reports of aluminium bolts. It does not broaden applicability beyond the listed models/serials or introduce new ongoing obligations."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability by helicopter model, serial-number cutoff, and specific swashplate part numbers","Simple inspection methods: visual check and magnet test","One-time action rather than recurring inspections","Specified replacement hardware (AN3-5A) creates a procurement requirement","Fixed compliance deadline (before further flight after 18 Aug 1998) imposes operational scheduling","Cross-reference to manufacturer service bulletin and FAA AD for procedural detail"],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires operators of specified Sikorsky S‑76A/B/C helicopters (serials before 760488, with listed swashplate part numbers) to perform one‑time inspections of the swashplate uniball bearing retainer: a visual check for missing bolts and a magnet check to confirm bolts are steel, replacing any missing or aluminium bolts with AN3‑5A steel bolts.\n\nOperators must comply before further flight after 18 August 1998 and bear the cost and downtime of inspections and replacements; the rule cites Sikorsky Service Bulletin 76‑65‑47 and FAA AD 98‑17‑15."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-s-76-60-swashplate-assembly-uniball-bearing-retainer","history":"/api/acts/ad-s-76-60-swashplate-assembly-uniball-bearing-retainer/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-s-76-60-swashplate-assembly-uniball-bearing-retainer/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-s-76-60-swashplate-assembly-uniball-bearing-retainer/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-s-76-60-swashplate-assembly-uniball-bearing-retainer/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-s-76-60-swashplate-assembly-uniball-bearing-retainer/documents"}}