AD/EC 225/7 Fuselage Frame 5295 and Outer Skin Panelling (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 225 Series Helicopters

AD/EC 225/7 Fuselage - Frame 5295 and Outer Skin Panelling 11/2008

Applicability:

EC 225 LP helicopters, all serial numbers, which do not have Modification 0726493 or 0726517 (in compliance with Eurocopter service bulletin No. 53-003).

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the technical requirements of EASA AD 2006-0102 Revision 1 dated 27 October 2006.

Note 1:  EC 225 LP Alert Service Bulletin No. 05A001 R1 or later approved revision refers.

Note 2:  Accomplishment of Eurocopter service bulletin No. 53-003, is terminating action for the requirements of this AD.

Compliance:

As specified in the requirement document with a revised effective date of
23 October 2008.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 23 October 2008.

Background:

This Airworthiness Directive is raised to visually inspect for cracking in the outer and inner skin panelling and the butt strap at the attachment points of the Main Gearbox sliding cowling rails.

This is following the detection of cracking on the LH side of frame 5295 on an
AS 332 L2 helicopter with 16,100 flying hours.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

27 August 2008