Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-13303 · Eurocopter France Model AS 365 N3 and EC 155B Helicopters
Eurocopter France Model AS 365 N3 and EC 155B Helicopters
Model AS 365 N3 helicopters with MOD 0764B39 (Quiet Fenestron) and Model EC 155B helicopters with tail rotor pitch change control rod (control rod), part number (P/N) 365A33- 6161-21, installed, certificated in any category.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS 365 N3 and EC 155B helicopters, that requires replacing each Fenestron pitch change control rod (control rod) with an improved reinforced steel airworthy control rod. This amendment is prompted by a failure of a control rod on a prototype helicopter and by the manufacturer making available a newly-designed reinforced steel control rod. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the control rod, loss of control of the tail rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
