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2010-21-01 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-16461. Docket No. FAA- 2010-0969; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-62-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective on October 29, 2010.
Other Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Eurocopter France Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, D, AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters, certificated in any category.
Reason
(d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) AD states that AD is issued following one report of a crack discovered in the area of the center cross-member at station X 2325, at the attachment point of the yaw channel ball-type control sheath stop of an AS355N helicopter with the collective-to-yaw control coupling. Investigations revealed that the helicopter did not have the structural doublers installed, which are combined with the collective-to-yaw control coupling installation. Repetitive loads on the non-modified cross-member may cause it to crack. A crack can reduce the yaw control travel. The AD requires actions that are intended to prevent reduced yaw control and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
Actions and Compliance
(e) Within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within 1 month, whichever occurs first, unless already done, determine whether the cross-member (numbered "1'') at station X 2165 and the two doublers (numbered "2'' and "3'') at stations X 2325 and Y 269 are installed as shown in Figure 1 of Eurocoper Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (EASB) No. 53.00.37, dated April 11, 2007 (EASB 53.00.37), for the Model AS350 helicopters and EASB No. 53.00.23, dated April 11, 2007 (EASB 53.00.23), for the Model AS355 helicopters.
Note: The one Eurocopter EASB contains 3 different numbers (Nos. 53.00.37, 53.00.11, and 53.00.23) for 4 different Eurocopter model helicopters. EASB 53.00.37 relates to 2 Model 350 (350 BB and 350 L1) helicopters that are not type-certificated in the United States; and EASB No. 53.00.11 relates to 4 Model 550 and 6 Model 555 military helicopters that are not type-certificated in the United States.
(f) If the cross-member (numbered "1'') and doublers (numbered "2'' and "3'') are not installed, before further flight, inspect for a crack in the center cross-member (numbered "4'') in the area around the attachment point of the tail rotor directional ball-type control as shown in Figure 1 of EASB 53.00.37 for the Model AS350 helicopters or EASB 53.00.23 for the Model AS355 helicopters.
(1) If you find a crack, before further flight, replace the unairworthy center cross-member (Numbered "4'') with an airworthy center cross-member and comply with paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) If you do not find a crack, before further flight, inspect the tail rotor control rigging.
(g) Within 55 hours TIS, install the cross-member (Numbered "1'') at station X 2165 and the 2 doublers (Numbered "2'' and "3'') at stations X 2325 and Y 269 by following the Appendix and the referenced Figures 2 and 3 of EASB 53.00.37 for the Model AS350 helicopters and EASB 53.00.23 for the Model AS355 helicopters.
Differences Between the FAA AD and the MCAI AD
(h) This AD differs from the MCAI AD as follows:
(1) We use the word "inspect'' to describe the actions required by an inspector versus the word "check,'' which is how we describe the actions allowed by a pilot.
(2) We refer to the compliance time as hours TIS rather than flying hours.
(3) We do not include the military model helicopters.
Other Information
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Safety Management Group, Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, ATTN: Gary Roach, Aviation Safety Engineer, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137, telephone (817) 222-5130, fax (817) 222-5961, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(j) EASA Emergency AD No. 2007-0139-E, datedMay 15, 2007 (corrected May 23, 2007), contains related information.
Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code
(k) The JASC Code is 5320--Fuselage Misc. Structure.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(l) You must use the specified portions of Eurocoper Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.00.37 for the AS350 model helicopters and No. 53.00.23 for the AS355 model helicopters, both dated April 11, 2007, to do the actions required.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact American Eurocopter Corporation, 2701 Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, Texas 75053-4005, telephone (800) 232-0323, fax (972) 641-3510.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, DOT/FAA Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76137; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/ federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
