Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17852 · Fuselage structure
Airbus Helicopters (Previously Eurocopter France) (Airbus Helicopters) Helicopters
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2021-13-19. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters, certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model SA-365N, SA-365N1, AS-365N2, and AS 365 N3 helicopters to require repetitively inspecting frame number (No.) 9 for a crack. This AD was prompted by a report of a crack in frame No. 9 on an AS365 helicopter. The actions of this AD are intended to detect a crack and prevent loss of structural integrity 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 that have any repair or alteration to the frame No. 9, within 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS, using a 10X or higher power magnifying glass, inspect the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) frame No. 9 for a crack in the area of the latch support and stretcher support, as depicted in Figure 1 of Eurocopter Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.63, Revision 1, dated June 18, 2012.
(2) For all other helicopters, within 110 hours TIS and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS, perform the inspection in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.
(3) If there is a crack, before further flight, repair the frame No. 9. Repairing a frame is not terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD.
