AD/EC 135/15 Amdt 1 Rotor Flight Control Tail Rotor Control Rod and Ball Pivot (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/EC 135/15 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 EC 135 Series Helicopters

AD/EC 135/15 Amdt 1 Rotor Flight Contol - Tail Rotor Control Rod
and Ball Pivot 4/2008 TX

Applicability:

Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH (ECD) - EC135 series helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 0005 through 0444, except those equipped with autopilot.

Requirement:

1.    Inspect the control rod area next to the Smart Electro-mechanical Actuator (SEMA) and the adjoining ball pivot in accordance with the instructions of ECD EC135 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) SB No. EC135-67A-017R1 dated 21 December 2007 or later NAA approved revisions.

2.    Repeat the inspection detailed in Requirement 1of this AD.

3.    If the control rod or the ball pivot is damaged, do the following:

a.     Replace the affected parts; and

b.    Report to the manufacturer (Eurocopter Deutschland).

Note:  EASA AD No. 2007-0313 dated 21 December 2007 refers. 

Compliance:

1.    Remains unchanged as detailed in the original issue of this AD as: Within the next 5 flight hours (FH) or 5 days, whichever occurs first after the 17 December 2007 (the effective date of the original issue of this AD), unless previously accomplished.

2.    At intervals not to exceed 50 FH.

3.    a.     Before next flight.

3.    b.    Within 30 days after replacing the parts in accordance with Requirement 3(a) of this AD.

This Amendment becomes effective on 29 February 2008.

Background:

An accident recently occurred with an EC135 helicopter in Japan.  Preliminary investigation results appear to indicate that loss of control was due to failure of the tail rotor control rod.  Eurocopter Deutschland has issued an ASB to address this unsafe condition, instructing operators to inspect the affected control rod and the respective attachments.

After receipt of the inspection results of that AD, it became apparent that a recurring inspection has to be introduced and the ECD ASB has been revised accordingly.

This amendment introduces a repetitive inspection.

The original issue of this AD became effective on 17 December 2007.

David Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

25 February 2008