Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11881 · Eurocopter France Model EC120B Helicopters
Eurocopter France Model EC120B Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2001-24-08. Comply with the one in force.
Model EC120B 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) for Eurocopter France Model EC120B helicopters. This action requires adjusting the clearance of the cabin sliding door if necessary. This amendment is prompted by an in-flight loss of a cabin sliding door, which had been locked in the fully opened position. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent in-flight loss of a cabin sliding door, impact with the horizontal stabilizer, main rotor, or fenestron tail rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
To prevent in-flight loss of a cabin sliding door, impact with the horizontal stabilizer, main rotor, or fenestron tail rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter, accomplish the following:
(a) Adjust the cabin sliding door (23) (see Figure 1) in accordance with the following:
(1) Loosen the screws (19) and the stop (15).
(2) Open and push the cabin sliding door aft until the roller goes past the locking pin (13) while keeping the roller (21) inside the rail (12).
(3) Move the cabin sliding door forward to bring the roller (21) into contact with the locking pin (13).
(4) Move the stop (15) as far forward as possible toward the nose of the aircraft.
(5) Mark the location of the stop (15) with respect to the rail (14).
(6) Unlock the cabin sliding door and move it forward to gain access to the screws (19).
(7) Hold the stop (15) aligned with the rail (14), and secure the stop (15) and the screws (19) at the location previously marked.
(8) Ensure that the pin (13) locking mechanism (pin) locks the cabin sliding door in the open position. If the pin does not lock the door in the open position, before further flight, repair or replace the pin with an airworthy pin.
(9) Bring the roller (22) into contact with the stop (15) of the rail (14).
(10) If the roller (21) is completely inside the rail (12) with a minimum clearance of 3 mm from the aft end of the rail (12), the cabin door is properly adjusted and no further action is required by this AD.
(11) If the roller (21) is less than 3 mm from the aft end of the rail (12), before further flight, repeat steps (1) through (10) until a minimum clearance of 3 mm is obtained.
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.
