{"id":"F2006B07112","name":"AD/S-PUMA/35 Amdt 2 - Horizontal Stabiliser Spar Tube","slug":"ad-s-puma-35-amdt-2-horizontal-stabiliser-spar-tube","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":48911,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2006B07112-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"AD/S-PUMA/35 Amdt 2 - Horizontal Stabiliser Spar Tube","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)  \n![](image.002.png)  \nEurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters\n\nAIRWORTHINESS 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 revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/S-PUMA/35 Amdt 1 and issues the following 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.\n\nAD/S-PUMA/35\n\nAmdt 2\n\n  \nHorizontal Stabiliser Spar Tube 9/2000\n\nApplicability: AS 332 helicopters, versions C, C1, L, and L1 equipped with spar tubes, part numbers 330A13-2024-01/02/03/04 installed on metal stabilisers, part numbers:\n\na. 332A13-1000-000-00/-01/-02/-03; and\n\nb. 332A13-1040-00/-01.\n\nRequirement: Action in accordance with Eurocopter AS332 SB 01.00.57 R2.\n\nNote: DGAC AD 1999-039-073(A) R2 refers.\n\nCompliance: As specified in the Requirement document, except that the \"Compliance\" paragraphs 1.b), and 2.b) will be with respect to effective date of the initial issue of this Directive.\n\nThis Amendment becomes effective on 7 September 2000.\n\nBackground: The DGAC received a report of an in-flight loss of a horizontal stabiliser due to spar tube failure. As a consequence, checks are required for corrosion at the laminate bush, a hardness test of the spar tube, and for scratches on the spar tube.\n\nAmendment 1 is issued following the loss of another stabiliser after spar failure; and also clarifies the Applicability.\n\n![Signature of David Alan Villiers Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority](image.003.png)  \nAmendment 2 excludes certain spar tubes and stabilisers inspected prior to delivery. Amendment 1 of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 23 March 2000. The initial issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 20 May 1999.\n\nDavid Alan Villiers\n\nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 21 July 2000\n\n![](image.002.png)  \n\nThe above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 9 August 2000.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This amendment maintains the original safety purpose — preventing spar tube failures in Super Puma helicopters. Amendment 2 narrows rather than expands scope by excluding certain pre-inspected components from the requirements. The core safety mandate remains unchanged from the original 1999 directive."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to external documents (Eurocopter Service Bulletin 01.00.57 R2, DGAC AD 1999-039-073(A) R2)","Specific part number lists with slash notation indicating variants (e.g., 330A13-2024-01/02/03/04)","Nested applicability conditions (helicopter versions AND specific part numbers AND installation on specific stabiliser part numbers)","Exception to applicability added in Amendment 2 (excluding pre-delivery inspected components)","Compliance timing references multiple effective dates (original issue 20 May 1999, Amendment 1 23 March 2000, Amendment 2 7 September 2000)"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA safety order (Amendment 2) replaces the earlier order for Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma helicopters, requiring operators to inspect the horizontal stabiliser spar tube for corrosion at the laminate bush, hardness anomalies, and scratches. It responds to two in-flight stabiliser losses and aims to prevent catastrophic failures.\n\nIt applies to AS332 C/C1/L/L1s with specified spar-tube and metal-stabiliser parts, except those inspected before delivery, with compliance timing set by the referenced service bulletin."},"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Amendments clarified which parts and stabilisers are covered and introduced a limited exclusion for spar tubes/stabilisers inspected prior to delivery. These are refinements and a modest narrowing of the AD's scope rather than a substantial expansion beyond the AD's original safety purpose (to prevent spar tube failure and loss of the stabiliser)."},"complexity_factors":["Short, focused directive limited to a narrow set of aircraft models and part numbers (Applicability).","Single external technical reference: Eurocopter AS332 SB 01.00.57 R2 (Requirement) — procedural detail deferred to that document.","One cross‑reference to a foreign regulator AD (DGAC AD 1999‑039‑073(A) R2) noted but not relied on for new requirements.","A small conditional change to timing: the AD overrides SB timing for two compliance sub‑paragraphs (SB paragraphs 1.b and 2.b) to use the AD's initial effective date (Compliance).","Two amendments: Amendment 1 clarified applicability; Amendment 2 adds exclusions for parts inspected prior to delivery — introduces a limited exception set.","Minimal internal definitions and few nested exceptions — limited conditional logic."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)**\n\n- This is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) that requires inspections and tests on the horizontal stabiliser spar tube fitted to certain Eurocopter AS332 (Super Puma) helicopters.  (An AD is a mandatory safety requirement issued by the aviation regulator.)\n- The AD applies to AS332 versions C, C1, L and L1 fitted with specific spar tube part numbers 330A13-2024-01/02/03/04 installed on particular metal stabiliser part numbers listed in the Applicability section.\n- The AD requires operators to carry out the actions listed in the manufacturer's service bulletin: Eurocopter AS332 Service Bulletin (SB) 01.00.57 Revision 2 (Requirement section). Those actions include: checks for corrosion at the laminate bush, a hardness test of the spar tube, and inspection for scratches on the spar tube (Background section).\n- Compliance must be done as specified in the Eurocopter SB, except that two compliance sub‑paragraphs (labelled 1.b and 2.b in the SB) are to be measured from the effective date of the initial issue of this AD rather than from dates in the SB (Compliance section).\n- Amendment 2 introduces an exclusion for certain spar tubes and stabilisers that were inspected prior to delivery; Amendment 1 had already clarified the Applicability (final notes).\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- Aircraft owners and operators of the specified Eurocopter AS332 models that have the listed spar tube and stabiliser part numbers must carry out the inspections and tests.\n- Licensed maintenance organisations or engineers will perform the hardness testing, corrosion inspections and repairs called for by the Eurocopter SB.\n\n**Why it matters (stated purpose and mechanical effect)**\n\n- The AD is prompted by reports of two in‑flight losses of a horizontal stabiliser caused by spar tube failure (Background). The stated purpose is to detect and correct corrosion, insufficient material hardness, or damage that could lead to spar failure.\n\n**Costs, incentives and who pays**\n\n- Aircraft operators/owners bear the direct cost of inspections, hardness testing, any required repairs or parts replacement, and any aircraft downtime while work is performed.\n- Maintenance organisations supply the labour and testing capability; operators decide whether to repair or replace parts based on findings and the SB instructions.\n\n**Implementation mechanics and decision points**\n\n- The regulator (CASA, via its delegate) enforces the AD; compliance is met by following Eurocopter SB 01.00.57 R2 (Requirement).\n- The SB itself contains the detailed inspection intervals, pass/fail criteria and corrective actions; the AD makes those SB actions mandatory for the specified fleet (Requirement section).\n- Two SB compliance sub‑paragraphs are tied to the AD's initial effective date rather than the SB's dates (Compliance section), which changes the timing trigger for those specific items.\n- Amendment 2 narrows the universe of affected parts by excluding certain spar tubes/stabilisers already inspected before delivery (Amendment note).\n\n**Trade‑offs, risks and practical effects**\n\n- Benefit: early detection of corrosion, hardness or damage that could cause structural failure and loss of the stabiliser (safety benefit stated in Background).\n- Costs/opportunity cost: inspection and testing expense, possible part replacement, and aircraft downtime borne by operators. These are concentrated on owners/operators of the affected helicopters; the safety benefit is concentrated on individual aircraft and their occupants.\n- Implementation risk: compliance depends on the SB being applied correctly; the AD references an external document (the Eurocopter SB) and a foreign AD (DGAC AD 1999‑039‑073(A) R2) for technical detail, so correct interpretation and timely access to those documents is essential.\n- Behavioural effect: operators will increase pre‑flight or scheduled maintenance inspections of the spar tube area, perform hardness testing, and replace or repair suspect tubes per the SB; manufacturers/maintainers may change spare‑parts inventories to reflect possible replacements.\n\n**Short statement of authority and scope mechanics**\n\n- CASA (through its delegate) issued the AD under its airworthiness powers and made compliance with the Eurocopter SB mandatory for the helicopters and parts listed (Applicability and Requirement sections).\n\n(References: Applicability; Requirement [Eurocopter SB 01.00.57 R2]; Compliance; Background; Amendment notes.)"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-35-amdt-2-horizontal-stabiliser-spar-tube","history":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-35-amdt-2-horizontal-stabiliser-spar-tube/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-35-amdt-2-horizontal-stabiliser-spar-tube/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-35-amdt-2-horizontal-stabiliser-spar-tube/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-35-amdt-2-horizontal-stabiliser-spar-tube/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-35-amdt-2-horizontal-stabiliser-spar-tube/documents"}}