Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17565 · Tail rotor control system
Eurocopter France Helicopters
This AD applies to the following helicopters, certificated in any category:
(1) Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, and AS355F2 helicopters with an autopilot installed;
(2) Model AS350B3 helicopters with an autopilot or modification 073252 installed; and
(3) Model AS355N and AS355NP helicopters with an autopilot or modification 071908 installed.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350 and AS355 helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the tail rotor control stop screws to determine if they are correctly aligned and adjusting the screws if they are misaligned. This AD is prompted by the discovery of a loose nut on the tail rotor control stop and a misaligned tail rotor control stop screw. The actions of this AD are intended to detect a loose nut or a misaligned stop screw, which, if not corrected, could limit yaw authority, and consequently, result in a loss of helicopter control.
You are responsible for performing each action required by this AD within the specified compliance time unless it has already been accomplished prior to that time.
(1) Within 110 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspect the locking of the stop screws to determine whether the stop screws turn.
(i) If any stop screw turns, adjust the stop screw.
(ii) Mark a line of red paint on the screw-nut assembly as depicted in Section B-B, Figure 1 of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. AS350-05.00.64 or ASB No. AS355-05.00.59, as applicable to your model helicopter. Both ASBs are Revision 0 and dated August 30, 2011.
(2) Thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS, inspect the stop screws to determine whether the paint lines on the screw and the nut are aligned. If the red paint lines are not aligned, remove the paint, adjust the stop screw, and mark a new line of paint on the screw-nut assembly as depicted in Section B-B, Figure 1 of Eurocopter ASB No. AS350-05.00.64 or ASB No. AS355-05.00.59, as applicable to your model helicopter. Both ASBs are Revision 0 and dated August 30, 2011.
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.
