Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17437 · Fuselage door hinges
Eurocopter France Helicopters
This AD applies to Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, B3, C, D, D1, AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters, with sliding door pre-modification (MOD) 073298 or pre-MOD 073308, installed, certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, and AS355N helicopters. This AD requires visual and dye penetrant inspections for cracks in the rear roller support shaft (shaft) and rear fitting (fitting) of the sliding door, and replacing the shaft or fitting if there is a crack. This AD's actions are prompted by reports of cracks in the shaft and the fitting and are intended to prevent the loss of the sliding door, which could come into contact with the rotor system, leading to damage to the helicopter and loss of helicopter control.
You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless accomplished previously.
(1) For a sliding door with less than 90 hours time-in-service (TIS), on or before accumulating a total of 110 hours TIS, conduct the visual and dye penetrant inspections of the shaft and the fitting of the sliding door for a crack by reference to Figure 1 and by following the Operational Procedure, paragraph 2.B.1 and 2.B.2, of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 05.00.47 dated July 19, 2006, for the Model AS350 helicopters (ASB 05.00.47) or ASB No. 05.00.45 dated July 19, 2006, for the Model AS355 helicopters (ASB 05.00.45), except you are not required to contact the manufacturer.
(i) If no crack is found in the shaft or fitting, reinstall the shaft on the fitting, fit the spring pins, and plug the pin holes by following the Operational Procedure, paragraph 2.B.2. of ASB 05.00.47 or 05.00.45, whichever is appropriate for your model helicopter.
(ii) If you find a crack in the fitting, replace the fitting with an airworthy fitting before further flight.
(iii) If you find a crack in the shaft, replace the shaft with an airworthy shaft before further flight by reference to Figure 1 and by following paragraph 2.B.3. of ASB 05.00.47 or 05.00.45, whichever is appropriate for your model helicopter.
(2) For a sliding door with 90 or more hours TIS, within the next 20 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS, conduct the visual and dye penetrant inspections of the shaft and the fitting of the sliding door for a crack by reference to Figure 1 and by following the Operational Procedure, paragraph 2.B.1 and 2.B.2, of ASB 05.00.47 or ASB 05.00.45, whichever is appropriate for your model helicopter, except you are not required to contact the manufacturer.
(i) If no crack is found in the shaft and fitting, reinstall the shaft or fitting, fit the spring pins, and plug the pin holes by following the Operational Procedure, paragraph 2.B.2. of ASB 05.00.47 or 05.00.45, whichever is appropriate for your model helicopter.
(ii) If you find a crack in the fitting, replace the fitting with an airworthy fitting before further flight.
(iii) If you find a crack in the shaft, replace the shaft with an airworthy shaft before further flight by reference to Figure 1 and by following paragraph 2.B.3. of ASB 05.00.47 or 05.45, whichever is appropriate for your model helicopter.
(3) After the effective date of this AD, do not install any of the following parts on any helicopter:
(i) Left-hand sliding door, part number (P/N) 350A25-0030-00XX, 350A25-0120-00XX, and 350AMR-0227-0052;
(ii) Right-hand sliding door, P/N 350A25-0030-01XX, 350A25-0120-01XX, 350A25-0120-03XX, and 350AMR-0227-0051;
(iii) Rail roller pin, P/N 350A25-1275-20; and
(iv) Cast roller support fittings, P/N 350A25-1270-20 and P/N 350A25-1270-22.
