Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-12880 · Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, L1, and Model SA330F, G, and J Helicopters
Eurocopter France Model AS332C, L, L1, and Model SA330F, G, and J Helicopters
Model AS332C, L, and L1 and Model SA330F, G, and J helicopters, with tail rotor gearbox (gearbox), part number (P/N) 332A33-0001-all dash numbers, 330A33-0000-all dash numbers, 330A33- 0011-all dash numbers (for AS332 models), or 330A33-9109-all dash numbers (for SA330 models), installed, certificated in any category.
This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Eurocopter France (ECF) Model AS332C, L, and L1 and Model SA330F, G, and J helicopters, that currently requires an inspection to determine the angular play of the tail rotor gearbox (gearbox) at specified intervals. This amendment changes the measurement limits and the load to be applied to a tail rotor blade (blade) when determining the angular play. This amendment is prompted by a review of design data and a determination that the amount of play can be increased with an increase in the amount of applied load during the inspection. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect excessive angular play and to prevent failure of a gearbox, loss of tail rotor drive, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
