{"id":"F2008L03454","name":"AD/S-PUMA/79 - Main Rotor - Main Rotor Head","slug":"ad-s-puma-79-main-rotor-main-rotor-head","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":120510,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2008L03454-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","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/79 | Main Rotor - Main Rotor Head | 11/2008 DM |\n| ------------ | ---------------------------- | ---------- |\n\n| Applicability: | Eurocopter AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L and AS 332 L1 helicopters, if a main rotor head (MRH) Part Number (P/N) 332A31-0001-05 or P/N 332A31-0001-06 is installed, having serial number (s/n) M172, M216, M261, M308, M547, M677, M811 or M936, and having logged less than 275 flight hours since its last overhaul or repair.Note: The additional s/n MRH units identified in Eurocopter Alert service Bulletin (ASB) AS 332 N° 62.00.73 have already been checked as required by this AD.                                                                                                                                                                      |\n| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |\n| Requirement:   | Action in accordance with the technical requirements of EASA AD 2008-0172-E.Note: Eurocopter Alert service bulletin AS 332 ASB 62.00.73 or later approved document refers.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |\n| Compliance:    | As specified in the requirement document with an amended effective date of 10 September 2008.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |\n|                | This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 10 September 2008.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |\n| Background:    | Eurocopter has recently received a report of deterioration of the swash-plate assembly upper bearing on a MRH, installed on an AS 332 L1 helicopter, after having logged only 72 flight hours since last overhaul. The occurrence report states an onset of vibrations which compelled the pilot to land as soon as practicable. These vibrations were found to be due to premature deterioration of the upper bearing of the swash-plates. The degradation of this bearing generates a load increase on the scissors links. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to the failure of the scissors links and consequently loss of control of the helicopter. |\n\n![](image.001.png)  \nDavid Villiers  \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n10 September 2008","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/S-PUMA/79","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/S-PUMA/79","content":"## AD/S-PUMA/79","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Main Rotor - Main Rotor Head","sectionType":"part","heading":"Main Rotor - Main Rotor Head","content":"## Main Rotor - Main Rotor Head","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"11/2008 DM","sectionType":"part","heading":"11/2008 DM","content":"## 11/2008 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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The AD adopts and enforces the scope of EASA AD 2008‑0172‑E for specified MRH P/Ns and serial numbers with <275 flight hours; it does not broaden the population affected. The primary alteration is an amended effective date of 10 September 2008 and a note that additional serial numbers listed in the Eurocopter ASB were already checked (see Applicability; Requirement; Compliance; Background)."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-reference to external technical mandates (EASA AD 2008‑0172‑E and Eurocopter ASB 62.00.73) rather than full technical text in the AD (Requirement).","Narrow, serial‑numbered applicability tied to specific MRH part numbers and eight listed serial numbers plus a flight‑hours threshold (<275 hours) (Applicability).","Safety‑critical technical inspection and possible repair obligations that require qualified maintenance actions and parts availability (Background; Requirement).","Amended effective date and mandatory compliance timing create immediate operational scheduling and record‑keeping burdens (Compliance).","Note that other serial numbers identified in the manufacturer ASB have already been checked introduces nuance to scope and operator uncertainty (Applicability).","Potential for follow‑on decisions by maintainers about grounding, repair, or part replacement, affecting operational availability and costs (Background)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Airworthiness Directive orders operators of Eurocopter AS332 C/C1/L/L1 helicopters fitted with main rotor heads P/N 332A31‑0001‑05 or ‑06 (specific serial numbers) and with less than 275 flight hours since overhaul to carry out the inspections and corrective actions set out in EASA AD 2008‑0172‑E (see Eurocopter ASB 62.00.73). \n\nIt targets operators and maintenance organisations: the measure responds to premature deterioration of a swash‑plate upper bearing that can overload scissors links and create a risk of loss of control, so inspections/repairs are mandatory to retain airworthiness."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"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 preventing main rotor head bearing failures."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose safety directive with one clear requirement","Precise applicability criteria using part numbers and serial numbers (8 specific serial numbers listed)","Single cross-reference to external technical document (EASA AD 2008-0172-E) rather than detailed technical instructions within the text itself","No defined terms section or complex conditional logic","Straightforward compliance date with no exceptions or alternative methods stated"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires owners/operators of certain Eurocopter AS332 (C/C1/L/L1) helicopters with specified main rotor head part/serial numbers (and <275 flight hours since overhaul) to inspect or repair those rotor heads per EASA AD 2008-0172-E.  \n\nIt was issued after an early bearing failure caused severe vibration and scissors‑link breakage risking total loss of control; the compliance deadline was 10 September 2008."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-79-main-rotor-main-rotor-head","history":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-79-main-rotor-main-rotor-head/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-79-main-rotor-main-rotor-head/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-79-main-rotor-main-rotor-head/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-79-main-rotor-main-rotor-head/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-s-puma-79-main-rotor-main-rotor-head/documents"}}