{"id":"F2006B07095","name":"AD/S-PUMA/17 - Main Gearbox Epicyclic Module Upper Casing Bearing Attachment Bolts","slug":"ad-s-puma-17-main-gearbox-epicyclic-module-upper-casing-bearing-attachment-bolts","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":48866,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B07095-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/S-PUMA/17 - Main Gearbox Epicyclic Module Upper Casing Bearing Attachment Bolts","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/17 Main Gearbox Epicyclic Module Upper\n\nCasing Bearing Attachment Bolts\n\nApplicability: All AS 332 C, C1, L and L1 helicopters equipped with epicyclic module P/N 332A32-2007-00 or 332A32-2007-01.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with French DGAC AD 93-131-051 (B) R1.\n\n  \n5/95\n\nDM\n\nNote: A copy of the Requirement Document may be obtained from a Regional District Office of the Civil Aviation Authority.\n\nCompliance: As specified in the Requirement Document.\n\nBackground: During overhaul of a gearbox module overlength bolts were found installed in the upper casing bearing assembly. The manufacturer is concerned that the over length bolts may interfere with the second stage planet gear web.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The directive confines its reach to AS 332 C, C1, L and L1 helicopters fitted with epicyclic module P/N 332A32-2007-00 or 332A32-2007-01 (Applicability). That scope matches the defect reported in the Background (over-length bolts in the upper casing bearing assembly). The instrument does not broaden or narrow the affected part types beyond those specified and instead adopts the French AD's corrective steps, so there is no indication in the text that the statutory scope has changed from the original safety-targeted intent."},"complexity_factors":["Incorporates an external foreign airworthiness directive by reference rather than reproducing required actions (Requirement).","Operators must obtain a separate Requirement Document from a regional office to know specific steps (Note), creating an extra administrative step.","Applicability is narrowly defined by helicopter models and two specific epicyclic module part numbers (Applicability), which requires checking parts records.","The directive omits detail on timing and procedures, so compliance depends on the content of the referenced French AD (Compliance).","Enforcement and technical execution rely on CASA and certified maintenance organisations to interpret and implement the referenced document (Requirement; Compliance)."],"plain_english_summary":"What this instrument does (mechanics)\n\n- This airworthiness directive orders operators to carry out the corrective actions set out in a referenced French directive (DGAC AD 93-131-051 (B) R1). The Commonwealth instrument does not reproduce the steps; it makes compliance with that French requirement mandatory for affected Australian helicopters (Requirement; Compliance).\n\nWho it affects\n\n- It applies to all Eurocopter AS 332 helicopter models C, C1, L and L1 that are fitted with epicyclic module part number 332A32-2007-00 or 332A32-2007-01 (Applicability).\n\nWhy it was issued (official rationale and mechanical risk)\n\n- During a gearbox module overhaul, inspectors found over-length bolts in the upper casing bearing assembly. The manufacturer expressed concern that those over-length bolts could interfere with the second stage planet gear web. The directive references the French AD to address that risk (Background; Requirement).\n\nWho pays, who decides, and what behaviour changes\n\n- Operators/owners of the affected helicopters are the parties required to act because the directive binds those who operate aircraft meeting the Applicability criteria. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) enforces the Australian directive but directs compliance to the French DGAC document (Requirement; Compliance). Operators must obtain and follow the Requirement Document to complete inspections, removals, repairs, or replacements as specified (Note).\n\nCompliance burden and discretion\n\n- The directive delegates technical detail to the French DGAC AD; the Australian instrument does not list steps or timing itself, so operators must obtain that Requirement Document to know what to do (Note; Compliance). That creates an administrative step (sourcing the document from a Regional District Office) and an operational burden (performing whatever inspections or corrective actions the Requirement Document prescribes). The text gives no alternative compliance routes or local variations, so discretion over how to comply resides with following the Requirement Document and any certified maintenance providers executing the work (Requirement; Compliance).\n\nImplementation risks and trade-offs (source-grounded)\n\n- The directive addresses a specific mechanical risk identified during overhaul (over-length bolts potentially contacting planet gear web) and therefore imposes an immediate compliance obligation through incorporation of the French AD (Background; Requirement). The concrete trade-offs for operators are downtime, inspection and repair costs, and the administrative step of obtaining the Requirement Document; the directive itself does not describe timing, costs, or compensation mechanisms (Compliance; Note)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a targeted safety directive addressing a specific mechanical defect in specific helicopter models. It has not expanded beyond its original purpose of ensuring correct bolt installation in the epicyclic gearbox module."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document (approximately 150 words)","Only 1 defined applicability criterion (specific part numbers)","Single requirement: comply with external document","No nested conditions or exceptions","No internal cross-references","Straightforward causal chain: wrong bolts found → potential interference → mandatory inspection/replacement"],"plain_english_summary":"This is an **Airworthiness Directive** — essentially a mandatory safety notice for aircraft operators. It applies to specific **Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma helicopters** (models C, C1, L, and L1) that have a particular gearbox part installed.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Orders helicopter operators to follow specific maintenance instructions from French aviation authorities (DGAC AD 93-131-051 (B) R1)\n- Addresses a safety problem where **wrong-sized bolts** were found in the main gearbox\n\n**Why it matters:**\n- The bolts in question were **too long** — this is dangerous because they could rub against or interfere with the second-stage planet gear (a critical rotating component in the gearbox)\n- If the bolts interfere with moving parts, the gearbox could fail catastrophically in flight\n\n**Who must act:**\n- Owners and operators of affected Super Puma helicopters\n- Maintenance organisations servicing these aircraft\n\n**What they must do:**\n- Follow the French safety directive referenced in the document\n- The exact steps and deadlines are contained in that external document (available from Civil Aviation Safety Authority offices)\n\nThis is a **reactive safety measure** — it was issued after overlong bolts were discovered during routine overhaul, suggesting a manufacturing or maintenance error that could affect multiple aircraft."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-17-main-gearbox-epicyclic-module-upper-casing-bearing-attachment-bolts","history":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-17-main-gearbox-epicyclic-module-upper-casing-bearing-attachment-bolts/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-17-main-gearbox-epicyclic-module-upper-casing-bearing-attachment-bolts/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-17-main-gearbox-epicyclic-module-upper-casing-bearing-attachment-bolts/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-17-main-gearbox-epicyclic-module-upper-casing-bearing-attachment-bolts/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-17-main-gearbox-epicyclic-module-upper-casing-bearing-attachment-bolts/documents"}}