FAA orders · airworthiness directive · historical

2010-23-02: Horizontal stabilizers

FAA order 2010-23-02 is an airworthiness directive in force since November 22, 2010. The FAA's subject line: Horizontal stabilizers. It names Airbus Helicopters AS-365: about 20 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: instruments and avionics.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product: Aircraft
Makes: Airbus Helicopters
Models: AS-365N2, AS-365N3, SA-365N, SA-365N1
On this site: Airbus Helicopters AS-365 20 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since: November 22, 2010
Published: November 5, 2010 (signed October 15, 2010)
Docket: FAA-2010-1082
Replaced by: 2016-07-26
Status: Historical
The FAA's document: Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the specified Eurocopter model helicopters. This action requires amending the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) to limit the never-exceed velocity (VNE) to 150 Knots Indicated Air Speed (KIAS) and to add a 1,500 ft/minute rate of descent (R/D) limitation beyond 140 KIAS. This action also requires installing one or more placards on the cockpit instrument panel in full view of the pilot and co-pilot. This amendment is prompted by failures of the horizontal stabilizers on recently delivered Model AS 365 N3 helicopters. Tests indicate that the failures were due to a vibration phenomenon that may arise during the descent flight phases at high speed regardless of the stabilizer installed. The actions specified in this AD are intended to restrict the VNE, to prevent failure of the horizontal stabilizer, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (2,174 characters)

2010-23-02 Eurocopter France: Amendment 39-16491; Docket No. FAA- 2010-1082; Directorate Identifier 2009-SW-041-AD. 

	Applicability: Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3- helicopters, with a horizontal stabilizer, part number 365A13-3030- 1901, -1902, -1903, -1904, -1905, -1906, -1908, -1909; 365A13-3036- 00, -0001, -0002, -0003; or 365A13-3038-00, installed, certificated in any category. 

	Compliance: Before further flight, unless accomplished previously. 

	To restrict the never-exceed velocity (VNE) to prevent failure of the horizontal stabilizer, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, do the following: 

	(a) Revise the airspeed operating limitation in the Limitations section of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) by making pen and ink changes or by inserting a copy of this AD into the RFM stating: ``The never-exceed speed (VNE) is limited to 150 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS),'' and ``The rate-of-descent (R/D) must not exceed 1,500 ft/min when theairspeed is beyond 140 KIAS.'' 

	(b) Install one or more self-adhesive placards, with 6 millimeter red letters on white background, on the cockpit instrument panel in full view of the pilot and co-pilot to read as follows: 

	``VNE LIMITED TO 150 KIAS'' 

	``R/D MUST NOT EXCEED 1,500 ft/min when airspeed is beyond 140 KIAS'' 

	(c) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Contact the Manager Safety Management Group: ATTN: Gary Roach, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Regulations and Policy Group, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5130; fax: 817- 222-5961, for information about previously approved alternative methods of compliance. 

	(d) The Joint Aircraft System/Component (JASC) Code is 5510: Horizontal Stabilizer Structure. 

	(e) This amendment becomes effective on November 22, 2010. 

	Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in European Aviation Safety Agency Emergency AD No. 2008-0204-E, dated December 4, 2008, and in Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 01.00.60, Revision 1, dated December 2, 2008, for the Model AS365N series helicopters.

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2014-12-30SW-15-07 · Rotor Drive-Tail Rotor Drive Flange Shur-Lok Nut Inspection

2008-07-01SW-08-30R2 · Inadvertent Deployment of Crash Position Indicator (CPI) Beacon

2008-06-30SW-08-30R1 · Inadvertent Deployment of Crash Position Indicator (CPI) Beacon

2004-10-07SW-05-01 ·

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of November 6, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/2010-23-02.json · aircraft systems.