Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-21673 · Tail rotor control system
Airbus Helicopters
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters, certificated in any category, with a tail rotor gearbox (TGB) actuating rod identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (9) of this AD installed.
(1) Part number (P/N) 350A27191000;
(2) P/N 350A27191001;
(3) P/N 350A27191002;
(4) P/N 350A27191003;
(5) P/N 350A27191004;
(6) P/N 350A2719100401;
(7) P/N 350A2719100402;
(8) P/N 350A27192000; or
(9) A TGB actuating rod with an unknown part number and serial number.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of reduced yaw control, during an approach for landing, that resulted from rupture of the tail rotor gearbox (TGB) actuating rod and uncoupling of the steel sleeve from inside the external aluminum tube. This AD requires dye penetrant inspecting certain TGB actuating rods for a crack, and depending on the inspection results, replacing the TGB actuating rod, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2019-0060, dated March 20, 2019 (EASA AD 2019-0060).
(1) Where EASA AD 2019-0060 refers to January 3, 2019 (the effective date of EASA AD 2018-0287, dated December 20, 2018), or its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where EASA AD 2019-0060 refers to flight hours (FH), this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(3) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2019-0060 specifies to mark TGB actuating rods, replace the language in paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2019-0060 that states “the instructions of section 3 of the applicable ASB [alert service bulletin],” with the applicable language specified in paragraphs (h)(3)(i) and (ii) of this AD.
(i) For P/N 350A2719100402 and parts not included in table 1 of EASA AD 2019-0060: “the instructions for `If only paragraph 3.B.2.a. was complied with' of paragraph 3.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable ASB.”
(ii) For parts included in table 1 of EASA AD 2019-0060: “the instructions for `If paragraph 3.B.2.b. or paragraph 3.B.5. was complied with' of paragraph 3.C. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable ASB.”
(4) Where paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2019-0060 specifies “mark each affected part (all rods, regardless of the status with respect to the dye penetrant inspection), and each TGB rod having P/N 350A2719100402,” for this AD, mark the parts identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (9) of this AD.
(5) Where EASA AD 2019-0060 specifies “AH [Airbus Helicopters] AS350 SB [service bulletin] No. 67.10 Revision 1” and “AH AS355 SB No. 67.09 Revision 2,” replace the text “AH” with “Aerospatiale.”
(6) Where the “Ref. Publications” section of EASA AD 2019-0060 specifies the date for “AS355 SB No. 67.09 Revision 2,” replace the text “28 March 1989” with “October 1989.”
(7) Although service information referenced in EASA AD 2019-0060 specifies to keep parts, this AD does not include that requirement.
(8) Paragraph (7) of EASA AD 2019-0060 specifies to report inspection results to Airbus Helicopters within a certain compliance time. For this AD, report inspection results at the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(8)(i) or (ii) of this AD.
(i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
(9) For the purposes of this AD, “CW,” which is stated in Table 1 of EASA AD 2019-0060, is defined as calendar week.
(10) The “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2019-0060 does not apply to 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.
