Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-12681 · Eurocopter France Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and EC130 B4 Helicopters
Eurocopter France Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and EC130 B4 Helicopters
Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and EC130 B4 helicopters, with STARFLEX, part number 350A31-1916-00, installed, certificated in any category.
This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2002-03-52, sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Eurocopter France (ECF) helicopters by individual letters. This AD requires checking for a gap between the adhesive bead and the metal bushing bonded on each STARFLEX star arm end (arm end) and, if a gap is found, replacing the STARFLEX with an airworthy part. This AD is prompted by reports of bonding failure between the metal bushing and the arm end that led to severe vibrations resulting in several emergency landings. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect bonding failure between the metal bushing and each arm end, severe lateral vibrations, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
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.
