Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17732 · Vertical stabilizer structure
Eurocopter France Helicopters
This AD applies to Model EC 155B and EC155B1 helicopters with lower front fitting part number (P/N) 365A23-4240-01, upper front fitting P/N 365A23-4242-01, lower rear fitting P/N 365A23-4241-01, or upper rear fitting P/N 365A23-4243-01 (fittings), installed, certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model EC 155B and EC155B1 helicopters. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the lower and upper front and rear fittings (fittings) that attach the upper fin to the fenestron for a crack and, if there is a crack, removing all four fittings from service. This AD also requires, within a specified time, removing all fittings from service, and the fittings would not be eligible to be installed on any helicopter. This AD was prompted by the loss of an upper fin in flight. The actions of this AD are intended to detect a crack in the fittings to prevent loss of the upper fin and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.
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 15 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 55 hours TIS:
(i) Using an appropriate light source and a 10x or higher power magnifying glass, inspect each front (item c) and rear (item d) upper fitting and each front (item e) and rear (item f) lower fitting for a crack as depicted in Detail A of Figure 1 of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 05A017, Revision 2, dated December 9, 2010 (ASB). Inspect the hatched area as depicted in Details B, C, and D of Figure 2 of the ASB. A high-resolution (more than 2 million pixels) digital camera or dye-penetrant inspection may be used to facilitate the crack inspection.
(ii) If there is a crack in any fitting, before further flight, remove all four fittings from service.
(2) Within 180 hours TIS, remove the fittings from service.
(3) Do not install lower front fitting P/N 365A23-4240-01, upper front fitting P/N 365A23-4242-01, lower rear fitting P/N 365A23-4241-01, and upper rear fitting P/N 365A23-4243-01 on any helicopter.
Inspections accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the procedures specified in Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 05A017, Revision 2, dated December 9, 2010; Revision 1, dated January 27, 2010; and Revision 0, dated September 28, 2007, are considered acceptable for compliance with the initial inspection specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.
