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

AD/EC 135/15 Rotor Flight Contol - Tail Rotor
Control Rod and Ball Pivot 2/2008 TX

Applicability:

Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH - EC135 and EC635 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 EUROCOPTER Deutschland EC135 ASB No. EC135-67A-017 dated
13 December 2007 or later NAA approved revisions.

2.    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 Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) No. 2007-0301-E dated
13 December 2007 refers.

Compliance:

1.    Within the next 5 flight hours or 5 days, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD.

2.    a.     Before next flight.

2.    b.    Within 30 days after replacing the parts in accordance with Requirement 2(i) of this AD.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 17 December 2007.

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 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) to address this unsafe condition, instructing operators to inspect the affected control rod and the respective attachments.

To prevent further occurrences of this kind, this telex AD requires the accomplishment of tasks described by the ASB.

Charles Lenarcic
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

14 December 2007