Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11781 · Eurocopter France Model AS332L2 Helicopters
Eurocopter France Model AS332L2 Helicopters
Model 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 (d) 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) for Eurocopter France Model AS332L2 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting for interference between the transmission flexible mounting plate (plate) and the forward and aft shims (shims), replacing shims and repairing the plate if interference is found, and inspecting the plate for a broken plate slat (slat) and repairing the plate if a broken slat is found or replacing the plate if slat damage beyond repair limits is found. This AD is prompted by the discovery that several helicopters were manufactured with shims that did not have cutouts to permit relative motion between the plate slats and the shims without interference. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent cracking of the plate slats, increased helicopter vibration, loss of transmission mounting integrity, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent cracking of the plate slats, increased helicopter vibration, loss of transmission mounting integrity, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect for interference between the plate, part number (P/N) 332A38-0106-00, the forward shim, P/N 332A22307420, and the aft shim (shim), P/N 332A22307020, in accordance with paragraph 2.B.1 of the Accomplishment Instructions in Eurocopter AS 332 Service Bulletin No. 05.00.54, dated July 8, 1999 (SB). If interference is found, replace the shims and repair the plate in accordance with paragraph 2.B.3 of the Accomplishment Instructions in the SB before further flight.
(b) Visually inspect the plate for a broken slat. If a broken slat is found, replace the plate and the shims with an airworthy plate and shims in accordance with paragraph 2.B.3 of the SB before further flight. Replace the plate with an airworthy plate if slat damage beyond repair limits is found.
(c) Install Eurocopter France MOD 0725946 and Eurocopter France MOD 0726012 at the next major inspection or when the transmission is next removed, whichever occurs first. Installation of both MOD's is considered a terminating action for the requirements of this AD.
