Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11900 · Eurocopter France Model AS350B3 Helicopters
Eurocopter France Model AS350B3 Helicopters
Model AS350B3 helicopters with tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing (fairing), part number 350A23-0032-09, installed, 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 (c) 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 document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2000-16-52 which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Eurocopter France (ECF) Model AS350B3 helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires visually inspecting the heat shield attachment areas on the tail rotor drive shaft forward fairing (fairing) for a crack. This AD also requires, at specified time intervals, removing the fairing and inspecting the heat shield attachment areas on the fairing for a crack. If a crack is found, this AD requires replacing the fairing with an airworthy fairing. This amendment is prompted by an in-flight loss of the fairing heat shield due to cracking in the areas where the heat shield is attached to the fairing. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent an in-flight loss of the heat shield, impact with tail or main rotor blades, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent in-flight loss of a fairing heat shield, impact with tail or main rotor blades, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Before the first flight of each day, visually inspect the fairing at the left and right side heat shield attachment areas (three on each side) for a crack. If a crack is found, replace the fairing with an airworthy fairing before further flight.
(b) Within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS, remove the fairing and inspect the left, right, and top heat shield attachment areas (three on each side and three on top) for a crack. If a crack is found, replace the fairing with an airworthy fairing before further flight.
Note 2: Eurocopter Service Telex No. 05.00.35, undated, pertains to the subject of this AD.
