Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17780 · Tail rotor control system
Airbus Helicopters (Type Certificate Previously Held by Eurocopter France) (Airbus Helicopters)
This AD applies to Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, C, D, and D1 helicopters and Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters, with a tail gearbox (TGB) control lever, part number (P/N) 350A33-1058-00, P/N 350A33-1058-01, P/N 350A33-1058-02, or P/N 350A33-1058-03, both with and without an “X” marked near the P/N, installed, certificated in any category.
We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2010-11-51 for Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B, BA, B1, B2, C, D, and D1 helicopters and Model AS355E, F, F1, F2, and N helicopters with certain part-numbered tail gearbox (TGB) control levers installed. AD 2010-11- 51 required repetitive visual inspections of the TGB control lever for a crack and replacing a cracked TGB control lever with an airworthy TGB control lever. This new AD retains the requirements of AD 2010-11-51 and also requires inspecting other areas of the TGB control lever not previously inspected and at additional inspection intervals. This AD was prompted by several reports of cracking in a TGB control lever. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent failure of the TGB control lever, loss of tail rotor control, 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) For helicopters with a lever not marked with an “X” near the P/N, within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS), and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 hours TIS, using a mirror and appropriate light source, visually inspect the TGB control lever for a crack as shown in area “A” of Figure 2 of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.62, Revision 2, dated March 1, 2011 (EASB No. 05.00.62), for Model AS350 helicopters, and Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.57, Revision 2, dated March 1, 2011 (EASB No. 05.00.57), for Model AS355 helicopters. If there is a crack, before further flight, replace each cracked TGB control lever with a TGB control lever with a P/N not listed in paragraph (a) of this AD.
(2) For Model AS355N helicopters, within 110 hours TIS, or if the helicopter has reached 100 or more hours TIS, within the next 10 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS, using a mirror and appropriate light source, inspect each TGB control lever for a crack as shown in area “C” of Figure 8 of EASB No. 05.00.62 or EASB No. 05.00.57, as applicable to your model helicopter.
(3) Within 660 hours TIS, replace each TGB control lever with a reworked TGB control lever marked with an “X” near the P/N or with a TGB control lever with a P/N not listed in paragraph (a) of this AD.
(4) For all model helicopters except Model AS355N, within 660 hours TIS, or if the helicopter has reached 605 or more hours TIS within the next 55 hours TIS, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 660 hours TIS, using a mirror and appropriate light source, inspect each TGB control lever for a crack as shown in area “C” of Figure 8 of EASB No. 05.00.62 or EASB No. 05.00.57, as applicable to your model helicopter.
(5) If there is a crack, before further flight, replace each cracked TGB control lever with a TGB control lever with a P/N not listed in paragraph (a) of this AD.
