{"id":"F2007L04707","name":"AD/S-PUMA/72 - Fuselage - TGB Attachment Fittings","slug":"ad-s-puma-72-fuselage-tgb-attachment-fittings","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":71155,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2007L04707-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series He","sectionType":"division","heading":"Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters","content":"### Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters\n\n| AD/S-PUMA/72 | Fuselage - TGB Attachment Fittings | 2/2008 DM |\n| ------------ | ---------------------------------- | --------- |\n\n| Applicability: | AS 332 C, C1, L, L1 and L2 helicopters with serial numbers below S/N 2680 and helicopters with serial numbers from S/N 9000 (inclusive) to S/N 9009 (inclusive), and equipped with tail gear box (TGB) attachment fittings, all part numbers. |\n| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Requirement: | Action in accordance with the technical requirements of French DGAC Airworthiness Directive (AD) UF-2007-027. |\n| Compliance: | As specified in the requirements document with a revised effective date of the12 December 2007. |\n| | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 12 December 2007. |\n| Background: | This AD follows the discovery of interference between the end of the threaded section of the TGB aft attachment bolt and the structure fitting during schedule maintenance check (750-hour inspection).The interference is due to a manufacturing anomaly of the fittings: the blind hole which provides clearance for the bolt in the structure fitting is missing. Such interference does not enable correct axial tightening of the TGB casing, even if the torque load applied to the attachment screw is correct.Insufficient tightening can cause damage to the TGB attachment and give rise to crack initiation under the head of the attachment bolt before the TBO of the TGB is reached. A crack can finally lead to the loss of the TGB and then involve the risk of losing the helicopter during take-off and landing phases. |\n\n![](image.001.png) \nDavid Villiers \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n10 December 2007","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/S-PUMA/72","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/S-PUMA/72","content":"## AD/S-PUMA/72","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Fuselage - TGB Attachment Fittings","sectionType":"part","heading":"Fuselage - TGB Attachment Fittings","content":"## Fuselage - TGB Attachment Fittings","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"2/2008 DM","sectionType":"part","heading":"2/2008 DM","content":"## 2/2008 DM","sortOrder":3}],"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":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope. It addresses a specific manufacturing anomaly in tail gearbox attachment fittings for a defined subset of Super Puma helicopters. There is no evidence of scope creep; the directive remains tightly focused on the safety-critical defect identified in the background section."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-issue directive focused on one specific mechanical defect","Only 5 helicopter models affected, with clear serial number ranges","Single compliance requirement: follow the referenced French AD (UF-2007-027)","No nested exceptions or conditional logic — applicability is straightforward","No defined terms section; technical terms (TGB, blind hole, torque) are explained in context","Cross-references only to one external document (the French DGAC AD)"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD orders mandatory inspection and repair of a manufacturing defect in tail gearbox attachment fittings on certain Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma helicopters (specific serial ranges). A missing recessed \"blind hole\" lets the gearbox bolt sit improperly, risking bolt cracking and tail gearbox separation—particularly dangerous during take-off and landing. Operators must follow French DGAC UF-2007-027 procedures; the directive has been mandatory since 12 December 2007."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument adopts and enforces the scope of French DGAC AD UF-2007-027 for the listed AS 332 serial numbers and TGB attachment fittings and sets an effective date (Applicability; Requirement; Compliance). The text does not expand or narrow that scope beyond adopting the foreign AD for the specified helicopters."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-reference to an external regulator's technical AD (Requirement) — operators must obtain and follow French DGAC AD UF-2007-027 rather than relying solely on the CASA text.","Narrow, serial-numbered applicability (Applicability) — requires checking airframe records to determine whether each helicopter is covered.","Technical root cause and inspection trigger (Background) — missing blind hole causes interference detected at scheduled 750‑hour maintenance, so inspections require physical access and technical judgement.","Prescriptive compliance timing (Compliance) — a revised effective date (12 December 2007) forces scheduling and possible immediate action or grounding.","Safety-critical consequence (Background) — potential loss of the TGB raises operational priority and may increase cost and downtime.","Potential parts and supply issues (Background/Requirement) — corrective action may need replacement fittings/bolts or rework, affecting logistics and expense.","Limited administrative discretion (Requirement/Compliance) — directive mandates following the specified AD; operators have little scope to vary the response.","Maintenance workflow and recordkeeping burden (Applicability/Compliance) — requires maintenance teams to alter inspection routines and retain proof of compliance."],"plain_english_summary":"**What it does:** Requires operators of certain Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma helicopters to carry out inspections and corrective action in accordance with French DGAC Airworthiness Directive UF-2007-027, effective 12 December 2007. \n\n**Who it affects and why it matters:** Affects owners/operators of the specified serial-numbered helicopters fitted with tail gearbox (TGB) attachment fittings, who must pay for inspections, repairs and any downtime because a manufacturing defect can prevent correct bolt tightening and risk loss of the TGB (and the helicopter) if unchecked."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-72-fuselage-tgb-attachment-fittings","history":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-72-fuselage-tgb-attachment-fittings/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-72-fuselage-tgb-attachment-fittings/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-72-fuselage-tgb-attachment-fittings/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-72-fuselage-tgb-attachment-fittings/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-72-fuselage-tgb-attachment-fittings/documents"}}