AD/Dauphin/81 Amdt 2 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 Amdt 1 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 2 Tail Rotor Blade Sleeve 9/2006

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 Service Bulletin No. 05.00.49, or later EASA approved revision.

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

Note:  EASA AD 2006-0099 refers.

Compliance:

Within 15 flight hours after 10 August 2005.  Thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 flight hours.

The initial compliance time remains unchanged by this issue.

This Amendment becomes effective on 31 August 2006.

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 clarified the repeat inspection compliance statement.

Amendment 2 is issued in response to a new EASA AD, which changes the daily inspection interval for compatibility with the scheduled daily / 10-hr inspection.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

20 July 2006