Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17858 · Rotorcraft tailboom
Airbus Helicopters (Previously Eurocopter France) Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2016-05-06. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, certificated in any category, with:
(1) Modification (MOD) 07 3215 installed; or
(2) With a reinforcement angle, part number (P/N) 350A08.2493.21 or P/N 350A08.2493.23, installed.
We are publishing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter France) Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, which was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these helicopters. This AD requires repetitively inspecting certain reinforcement angles of the rear structure to tailboom junction frame (reinforcement angles) for a crack, and repairing any cracked reinforcement angle. This AD is prompted by a report that cracks were found in the reinforcement angles on several AS355 helicopters. These actions are intended to detect a crack in the reinforcement angle, which if not corrected, could result in loss of the tailboom 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 640 or more hours time-in-service (TIS) since installation of MOD 07 3215 or since installation of an applicable reinforcement angle, within 10 hours TIS, and thereafter, at intervals not exceeding 10 hours TIS, inspect each reinforcement angle for a crack as depicted in Figure 1 of Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.70 for Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1 helicopters and Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.62 for AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, both Revision 0 and dated March 24, 2014.
(2) If there is a crack, before further flight, repair the reinforcement angle in a manner approved by the manager listed in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
(3) As an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, at intervals not exceeding 165 hours TIS, remove screw No. 5 from the reinforcement angle, thoroughly clean the area around the hole and inspect the reinforcement angle for a crack. If there is not a crack, reinstall the screw. Sequentially repeat the steps required by this paragraph for screws No. 6 through No. 12. If there is a crack, comply with paragraph (e)(2) of this AD.
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.
