AD/Ecureuil/110 Tail Rotor Controls (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/110 Tail Rotor Controls 6/2005

Applicability:

Model AS 350 B, BA, BB, B1, B2 and D, helicopters fitted with stainless steel-caged ball-type yaw controls part number:

- 704A 34-130-068 with automatic flight control system (pre-MOD 072771),

- 704A 34-130-058 without automatic flight control system (pre-MOD 072771).

Requirement:

1.    Remove the stainless steel-caged ball-type control and install the new Teflon-caged ball-type control in accordance with instructions specified in Paragraph 2 the referenced ASB.

2.    Do not install on the helicopter any stainless steel-caged ball-type yaw controls as identified in the Applicability section of this Directive.

Note:  DGAC AD F-2005-042 (EASA approval No. 2005-2235 dated 09 March 2005) refers.

Compliance:

1.    For helicopters with 2000 hours or more Time In Service (TIS)

- within 6 months of the effective date of this Directive.

For helicopters with less than 2000 hours TIS,

- within 6 months after the helicopter has reached 2000 hours TIS and at the latest by 31 March 2006.

2.    From the effective date of this Directive.

Reference Document: EUROCOPTER AS 350 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) No. 67.00.26 R1, or subsequent EASA approved revision.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 9 June 2005.

Background: This Airworthiness Directive is issued following multiple cases of binding discovered in the stainless steel-caged ball-type yaw controls which may generate increased control loads or a feeling of seizure at the pedal units.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

28 April 2005