AD/Dauphin/81 Amdt 1 Tail Rotor Blade Sleeve (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/DAUPHIN/81 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Eurocopter SA 360 and SA 365 (Dauphin) Series Helicopters

AD/DAUPHIN/81 Amdt 1 Tail Rotor Blade Sleeve 12/2005

Applicability:

Models SA 365 N1 and AS 365 N2, N3 helicopters, equipped with tail rotor blades part number 365A12-0060-01 or 365A12-0070-00.

Requirement:

Check the stainless steel ring on the sleeve of each tail rotor blade in accordance with paragraph 2.B.1. of Eurocopter AS 365 Alert Telex No. 05.00.49.

If the stainless steel ring has moved, before further flight, replace the affected tail rotor blade.

Note:  DGAC AD F-2005-144 R1 refers.

Compliance:

Within 15 flight hours after 10 August 2005.  After initial compliance, at each check after the last flight of the day (ALF), without exceeding 15 flight hours.

The initial compliance time remains unchanged by this issue.

This Amendment becomes effective on 24 November 2005.

Background:

The DGAC received a report of a case of separation and loss of the stainless steel ring from a tail rotor blade sleeve, which resulted in high vibration.  Such vibration could lead to damage to the Fenestron rotor blades and loss of yaw control.

Amendment 1 is issued in response to a revision of the related DGAC AD, which clarifies the repeat inspection compliance statement.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

13 October 2005