AD/EC 135/19 Tail Rotor Control Rod (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 135/19 Tail Rotor Control Rod 9/2008

Applicability:

Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH EC135 and EC635 series helicopters, if equipped with Control rod Part Number (P/N) L672M2005207, Ball pivot P/N 92-201-00 and/or Ball pivot P/N 92-207-00.

Requirement:

1. Inspect control rod P/N L672M2005207 in accordance with the instructions of Eurocopter Deutschland (ECD) Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) EC135-67A-017 R2 dated 17 March 2008 or later NAA approved revision.

2. Inspect ball pivot P/N 92-201-00 in accordance with the instructions of Eurocopter Deutschland ASB EC135-67A-017 R2 or later NAA approved revision.

3. Inspect ball pivot P/N 92-207-00 in accordance with the instructions of Eurocopter Deutschland ASB EC135-67A-017 R2 or later NAA approved revision.

4.    If damage is detected on the control rod during any inspection, replace control rod with a serviceable part; if damage is detected on the ball pivot (either P/N
92-201-00 or 92-207-00) during any inspection, replace the ball pivot and the control rod with serviceable parts. In either case inform ECD customer service.

Note:  EASA AD 2008-0064R1 dated 15 April 2008 refers.

Compliance:

For Requirements 1 and 2:

Within the next 50 flight hours (FH) after the effective date of this AD and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 FH (+/- 10%).

For Requirement 3:

Within the next 100 FH but not later than 31 September 2008, whichever occurs first after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 400 FH (+/- 10%) or 12 months, whichever occurs first.

For Requirement 4:

Before further flight after the effective date of this AD.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 28 August 2008.

Background:

In 2007, an accident occurred with an EC135 helicopter in Japan. Preliminary investigation results appeared to indicate that loss of control was due to failure of the tail rotor control rod.  Eurocopter Deutschland issued an Alert Service Bulletin to address this unsafe condition, instructing operators to inspect the affected control rod and the respective attachments.

This AD mandates those inspection requirements to prevent further occurrences of the unsafe condition.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

17 July 2008