{"id":"F2008L01640","name":"AD/S-PUMA/76 - Seat Harness Belt Buckle Blanking Plugs","slug":"ad-s-puma-76-seat-harness-belt-buckle-blanking-plugs","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":73728,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2008L01640-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/76 | Seat Harness Belt Buckle Blanking Plugs | 6/2008 |\n| ------------ | --------------------------------------- | ------ |\n\n```html\n

Applicability:

EUROCOPTER AS332 L1, AS332 L2 and EC225 LP helicopters, all serial numbers, equipped with the following seat harnesses, fitted with blanking plugs Part Number (P/N) 332V85134620 or P/N 332V85134621, except seat harnesses modified by Eurocopter MOD 332V080169:

Harness

P/N

Schroth

1-10-725203

1-10-P65203

AM-SAFE

503583-407-2251

503583-408-2251

504729-401-2251

Requirement:

1. Remove all blanking plugs with P/N 332V85134620 and P/N 332V85134621 from seat harness belt buckles installed on aircraft, in accordance with the instructions given in paragraph 2.B of the Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletins referenced below, as applicable to the helicopter version;

(a) If a removed blanking plug is found not failed, discard the plug and no further action is required;

(b) If a removed blanking plug is found failed, before next flight, replace the belt buckle from which it was removed, in accordance with the instructions given in paragraph 2.B.2.b of the Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletins referenced below, as applicable to the helicopter version;

2. No person shall install any spare seat harness (as identified in the Applicability section of this AD) or its belt buckle as a replacement on an aircraft, unless it has been verified that blanking plugs P/N 332V85134620 and P/N 332V85134621 have been removed and found not failed; if found failed, before installation, replace the relevant seat buckle as required by paragraph (1)(b) of this AD.

Note 1: EASA AD 2008-0075 and Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletins 01.00.72 and 04A003 refer.

Note 2: A helicopter may only be dispatched with non-replaced belt buckle(s) within the provisions of the applicable Master Minimum Equipment List item(s).

Compliance:

Within one month of the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 5 June 2008.

Background:

Recently, a report was received concerning the discovery of fragments of a plastic blanking plug (fitted to the harness belt buckle 5th attachment point) inside a seat harness belt buckle. Over time, this blanking plug hardens and becomes brittle. This condition, if not corrected, can lead to failure of the plug and fragments being caught inside the buckle, causing interference and preventing the belt from being released during an emergency evacuation of the aircraft.

\n```\n\n![](image.001.png) \nDavid Villiers \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n24 April 2008","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/S-PUMA/76","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/S-PUMA/76","content":"## AD/S-PUMA/76","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Seat Harness Belt Buckle Blanking Plugs","sectionType":"part","heading":"Seat Harness Belt Buckle Blanking Plugs","content":"## Seat Harness Belt Buckle Blanking Plugs","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"6/2008","sectionType":"part","heading":"6/2008","content":"## 6/2008","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"No change from the instrument's stated purpose. The AD confines action to removal/inspection/replacement of the identified blanking plugs and, where necessary, belt buckles on the named helicopter models and harness P/Ns. It does not expand applicability beyond the specified parts or aircraft (see 'Applicability' and 'Requirement')."},"complexity_factors":["Clear, narrowly targeted applicability to specific helicopter models and harness P/Ns (Applicability section).","Simple, discrete corrective actions: remove plugs, inspect, discard or replace buckle if failed (Requirement paragraph 1 and 1(a)/(b)).","Short compliance timeframe: must be done within one month (Compliance).","Logistical burden: potential need to source replacement belt buckles if plugs are failed (Requirement 1(b)).","Operational allowance: limited dispatch permitted under Master Minimum Equipment List while non-replaced buckles remain (Note 2).","Installation restriction on spares to prevent reintroduction of the hazard (Requirement paragraph 2).","Cross-references to EASA AD and Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletins for procedural detail (Note 1) increase dependence on external documents."],"plain_english_summary":"Requires removal of specific blanking plugs (P/N 332V85134620 and 332V85134621) from seat-harness belt buckles on Eurocopter AS332 L1/L2 and EC225 LP helicopters, inspection of those plugs, replacement of any buckle where a plug has failed, and a prohibition on fitting spare harnesses/buckles unless the plugs have been verified removed and serviceable. The regulator says this prevents brittle plug fragments jamming buckles and stopping belt release during emergency evacuation; operators must complete the work within one month and bear the inspection/replacement costs."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This AD maintains its original narrow scope — addressing a specific mechanical defect in seat harness blanking plugs on specific helicopter models. It has not expanded beyond this safety-critical maintenance requirement."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple nested conditions: applicability depends on helicopter model, seat harness manufacturer, part numbers, AND modification status","Cross-references to external documents: EASA AD 2008-0075 and two Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletins (01.00.72 and 04A003) without reproducing their content","Two-part requirement structure with conditional logic (if failed vs. if not failed)","Specific part number identification required for compliance (6 different harness P/Ns and 2 blanking plug P/Ns)","Exception clause for pre-modified equipment (MOD 332V080169)","Reference to Master Minimum Equipment List for dispatch with non-replaced buckles — requires knowledge of separate regulatory framework"],"plain_english_summary":"This CASA Airworthiness Directive requires operators of Eurocopter AS332 L1/L2 and EC225 LP helicopters (with specified Schroth or AM-SAFE harnesses) to inspect and remove plastic blanking plugs from seat-belt buckles within one month of 5 June 2008. Intact plugs are discarded; broken plugs require buckle replacement before flight, and spares must be checked before installation.\n\nIt’s a life‑safety measure to prevent brittle plug fragments jamming buckles and trapping occupants in an emergency."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-76-seat-harness-belt-buckle-blanking-plugs","history":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-76-seat-harness-belt-buckle-blanking-plugs/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-76-seat-harness-belt-buckle-blanking-plugs/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-76-seat-harness-belt-buckle-blanking-plugs/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-76-seat-harness-belt-buckle-blanking-plugs/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-76-seat-harness-belt-buckle-blanking-plugs/documents"}}