Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11645 · Eurocopter France Model SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2
Eurocopter France Model SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2
SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each helicopter identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For helicopters that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) applicable to Eurocopter France Model SA330F, SA330G, SA330J, AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters. This action requires replacing certain tail rotor blades before further flight after April 30, 2000. This amendment is prompted by loss of control of a helicopter due to a lightning strike on a tail rotor blade. This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of a tail rotor blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent failure of a tail rotor blade due to a lightning strike and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Remove from service any tail rotor blade with a following part number (P/N), including all dash numbers for each P/N:
332A-12-0010
332A-12-0020
332A-12-0030
332A-12-0035
332A-12-0045
Replace with an airworthy tail rotor blade with a following P/N:
332A-12-0050-01 or
332A-12-0055-01
Note 2: Eurocopter France Service Bulletins 01.57 for the Models SA330 and 01.00.59 for the Models AS332, both dated November 23, 1999, pertain to the subject of this AD.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
Appliances and equipment
