Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17739 · Rotor flight control--rotorcraft servo system
Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate Previously Held by Eurocopter France)
This AD applies to the following model helicopters, certificated in any category, with a part-numbered main servo-control listed below: overhauled or repaired by UTC Actuation Systems/Goodrich Actuation Systems between June 1, 2008, and September 15, 2012, inclusive; or with a serial number listed in Appendix 1 of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 67.00.45 (EASB 67.00.45) or 67.19 (EASB 67.19), both Revision 1, and both dated December 5, 2012, as applicable to your model helicopter:
(1) Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, and AS332L2 helicopters with main servo-control, part number (P/N) SC7202, SC7202- (all dash numbers), SC7203, SC7203- (all dash numbers), SC7221, or SC7221- (all dash numbers), installed; and
(2) Model SA330J helicopters with main servo-control P/N SC7111, SC7111- (all dash numbers) SC7112, or SC7112- (all dash numbers), installed.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Model AS332C, AS332L, AS332L1, AS332L2, and SA330J helicopters. This AD requires inspecting the crimping of the ball joint of the upper- and lower- end-fittings of the main servo-control and, depending on findings, replacing the main servo-control or repairing the ball joint. This AD was prompted by incidents of missing crimping on the ball joints of servo-control end-fittings. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent failure of a main servo-control upper end fitting, and subsequent failure of the flight controls and 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 85 hours time-in-service (TIS):
(i) Using a light source, inspect the ball joint of the upper end-fitting of the main servo control for crimping in accordance with Detail A and Detail B, Figure 1, of Eurocopter EASB 67.00.45 or EASB 67.19, as applicable to your model helicopter.
(A) If the upper ball joint is not crimped and the ball joint slips a distance of 1 millimeter (mm) or greater, replace the servo-control with an airworthy servo-control.
(B) If the upper ball joint is not crimped and the ball joint slips a distance of less than 1mm, either crimp the ball joint or replace the servo-control with an airworthy servo-control.
(ii) Using a light source, inspect the ball joint of the lower end-fitting of the main servo-control for crimping in accordance with Detail A and Detail B, Figure 1, of Eurocopter EASB 67.00.45 or EASB 67.19, as applicable to your model helicopter. If the lower ball joint is not crimped, crimp the ball joint.
(2) Prior to installing any servo-control that is affected by this AD, perform the required actions in accordance with paragraphs (e)(1) of this AD.
