Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-18746 · Main rotor drive system
Airbus Helicopters
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4, EC130T2, AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters with a bi-directional suspension cross-bar (cross-bar) part number (P/N) 350A38-1040-20 or P/N 350A38-1040-00 installed, certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model EC130B4, EC130T2, AS350B, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, AS350C, AS350D, AS350D1, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. This AD requires inspecting each bi- directional suspension cross-bar (cross-bar). This AD was prompted by two reports of cracks in a cross-bar. These actions are intended to prevent the unsafe condition on these products.
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 the initial inspection times shown in Table 1 to paragraph (e) of this AD or the next time maintenance of the helicopter involves removing the main gearbox, whichever comes first; and thereafter at intervals not to exceed the compliance times shown in Table 1 to paragraph (e) of this AD, inspect each cross-bar for a crack. For purposes of this AD, a torque cycle is defined as one landing with or without stopping the rotor or one external load-carrying operation; an external load-carrying operation occurs each time a helicopter picks up an external load and drops it off.
| Helicopter model | Initial and recurrent inspection interval |
|---|---|
| AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350C, AS350D, and AS350D1 | 4,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 60,000 torque cycles, whichever occurs first. |
| AS350B3, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355 NP EC130B4 | 3,300 hours TIS or 60,000 torque cycles, whichever occurs first. |
| EC130T2 | 3,300 hours TIS or 40,000 torque cycles, whichever occurs first. |
(2) If there is a crack, before further flight, replace the cross-bar.
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.
