AD/Dauphin/86 Amdt 2 Starflex Star Arm End Bushes (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/86 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/86 Amdt 2 Starflex Star Arm End Bushes 13/2006 DM

Applicability:

Model SA 365 N, N1,

Model AS 365 N2, N3, and,

Model SA 365 C, C1, C2, C3, helicopters;

equipped with main rotor hub Starflex stars (all part numbers).

Requirement:

1.    Visually check the condition of the adhesive beads on the bushes on the Starflex star arm ends and that the arm ends have not distorted; in accordance with paragraph 2.B.1.a. of Eurocopter AS 365 N Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.51 Revision 1, or SA 365 C Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.28 Revision 1, as applicable; or later EASA approved revision.

2.    Visually check that there is no delamination in the composite material, in the area of the horizontal centre plane, flush with the bush, in accordance with paragraph 2.B.1.b. of Eurocopter AS 365 N Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.00.51 Revision 1, or SA 365 C Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.28 Revision 1, as applicable; or later EASA approved revision.

If the bonding of a bush has failed, and/or if a star arm end is distorted, and/or if there is delamination on the star arm end, before further flight, remove and replace the Starflex star.

Note:  EASA Emergency AD 2006-0321-E refers.

Compliance: 

1.    Unless the initial inspection is already accomplished, within 10 flight hours after 22 June 2006.  Thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 flight hours.

2.    Within 10 flight hours after 27 October 2006, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 flight hours.

The compliance time for Requirement 1 remains unchanged by this issue of the Directive.

This Amendment becomes effective on 27 October 2006.

Background:

The DGAC received reports of two cases of deterioration of a Starflex star arm end.  In one of these cases, the deterioration caused in-flight high amplitude vibrations, compelling the pilot to carry out a precautionary landing.

Amendment 1 updated the Requirement documents from Alert Telexes to Alert Service Bulletins, with no change to technical content.

Amendment 2 is issued in response to a new EASA AD, which introduces an additional inspection through revisions of the Requirement documents.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

24 October 2006