AD/Dauphin/83 Tail Rotor Pitch Control Rod Bearing (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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/83 Tail Rotor Pitch Control Rod Bearing 4/2006 TX

Applicability:

Eurocopter AS 365 N2 and N3 model helicopters.

Requirement:

1.    Carry out a check for end play in the tail rotor hub (TRH) control plate in accordance with paragraph 2.B of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) 05.00.52 or later DGAC approved revisions.  If there is no end play in the TRH control plate no further action is required at this time.

2.    If there is end play in the TRH control plate, remove and replace the pitch control rod bearing in accordance with paragraph 2.B.2 of Eurocopter ASB 05.00.52 or later DGAC approved revisions.

Note:  EASA Emergency AD 2006-0051-E refers.

Compliance:

1.    Within 50 flying hours after the effective date of this AD, thereafter at intervals not to exceed 110 flying hours.

2.    Before further flight following the check carried out in Requirement 1 of this AD.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 27 February 2006.

Background:

This AD is in response to an event where tail rotor pitch control loss occurred during the landing phase of the helicopter.  Failure of the pitch control rod bearing can lead to loss of control of the tail rotor and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.

Jayaprakashan Ambali
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

22 February 2006