{"id":"F2006B07094","name":"AD/S-PUMA/16 - Tail Position Lights","slug":"ad-s-puma-16-tail-position-lights","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":48864,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B07094-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/S-PUMA/16 - Tail Position Lights","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)  \nEurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters\n\nAD/S-PUMA/16 Tail Position Lights 13/94 DM\n\nApplicability: All AS 332 C, C1, L, L1 and L2 helicopters equipped with tail position lights part number 31514-2 and 31515-2.\n\nRequirement: Install safety locking devices on the tail position light lens assembly in accordance with Eurocopter France AS 332 Service Bulletin 01-39.\n\nNote: DGAC AD 94-216-002(B) and 94-217-053(B) refer.\n\nCompliance: Helicopter installations \\- Within 50 hours time in service from 19 October 1994.\n\nSpares \\- Prior to installation.\n\nBackground: Eurocopter France has advised of damage being caused to three tail rotor blades following loss of the tail position light lens assembly. This Directive requires the installation of safety locking devices which are designed to prevent the in-flight loss of the lens assembly.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a discrete, targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical failure mode. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of preventing tail position light lens loss on specific Super Puma variants."},"complexity_factors":["Single, specific technical requirement (install safety locking devices)","Narrow applicability (five specific helicopter models, two specific part numbers)","No defined terms section or complex interpretation provisions","Simple compliance timeline (single deadline with one exception for spares)","No cross-references to other legislation beyond a reference to French authority documents","Short document (approximately 150 words of substantive content)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this is:** This is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) — essentially a mandatory safety order issued by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for specific helicopters.\n\n**What it does:** It requires owners and operators of certain Eurocopter AS 332 \"Super Puma\" helicopters to install safety locks on the tail position lights. These locks prevent the light lens from falling off during flight.\n\n**Who it affects:** Anyone operating or maintaining AS 332 C, C1, L, L1, or L2 model helicopters that have specific tail light part numbers (31514-2 and 31515-2).\n\n**Why it matters:** The lens assembly had actually fallen off in flight on at least three occasions, damaging tail rotor blades. Since the tail rotor keeps the helicopter stable and prevents it from spinning, damage there is extremely dangerous. This fix is mandatory — not optional.\n\n**When it had to be done:**\n- For helicopters already in service: within 50 flight hours after 19 October 1994\n- For spare parts: before installing them on any helicopter\n\n**Key point:** This is a reactive safety measure based on real incidents reported by the French aviation authority (DGAC)."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive does not change the scope from its stated remedial purpose. It targets the specific AS 332 variants fitted with tail position lights part numbers 31514-2 and 31515-2 and prescribes a single corrective measure (installation of safety locking devices per the Eurocopter service bulletin) with specific compliance timings (Applicability, Requirement, Compliance, Background)."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow applicability defined by specific models and part numbers (Applicability)","Prescriptive, single technical fix required (Requirement)","Dependency on an external technical document for installation details (Eurocopter France AS 332 Service Bulletin 01-39) (Requirement)","Clear, short compliance timeline for in-service helicopters and an explicit rule for spares (Compliance)","No discretionary remedies or complex compliance options set out in the directive (Compliance)"],"plain_english_summary":"This directive requires owners/operators of Eurocopter AS 332 C/C1/L/L1/L2 helicopters with tail position light parts 31514-2 or 31515-2 to install safety locking devices on the tail position light lens assembly per Eurocopter France AS 332 Service Bulletin 01-39. Operators pay and must fit units within 50 flight hours from 19 Oct 1994; spare assemblies must be updated before installation. The aim is to prevent in‑flight lens loss after reported rotor damage."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-16-tail-position-lights","history":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-16-tail-position-lights/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-16-tail-position-lights/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-16-tail-position-lights/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-16-tail-position-lights/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-16-tail-position-lights/documents"}}