AD/Ecureuil/109 Sliding Door Rear Fitting Pin (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 AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters

AD/ECUREUIL/109 Sliding Door Rear Fitting Pin 4/2005 DM

Applicability:

Model AS 350 helicopters, versions B, BA, BB, B1, B2, B3, and D; equipped with sliding door(s).

Requirement:

Check the sliding door rear roller support pin in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of Eurocopter AS 350 Alert Telex No. 05.00.47.

Note:  DGAC AD F-2005-032 refers.

Compliance:

For aircraft equipped with sliding doors that have logged less than 90 flight hours:

Upon reaching 110 flight hours, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 110 flight hours.

For aircraft equipped with sliding doors that have logged 90 or more flight hours:

Within 20 flight hours after 22 February 2005, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 110 flight hours.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 22 February 2005.

Background:

The manufacturer received a report of failure and a report of cracking of the sliding door rear roller support pin.  Investigation revealed that the cracks started from a spring pin bore and grew due to fatigue.  Metallurgical analysis revealed heat treatment non-conformity of the pin material.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

17 February 2005