AD/Ecureuil/125 Main and Tail Rotors Servo 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/125 Main and Tail Rotors - Servo Controls 6/2007

Applicability:

Eurocopter AS 350B3 and EC 130B4 helicopters that are fitted with GOODRICH main and tail rotor servo-controls without the letter “R” marked in the inspection box of the servo-control identification plate, and whose Part Number (P/N) and Serial Number (S/N) are listed in paragraph 1.A of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) AS 350 No. 67.00.40 and ASB EC130 No. 67A010 as applicable.

Requirement:

1.    Check for identification of the P/N and S/N of the servo-controls installed on helicopters and on the shelves listed in paragraph 1.A of Eurocopter ASB AS 332 No. 67.00.37 or later approved revisions.

2.    Remove from service those servo-controls identified as having P/N and S/N listed in paragraph 1.A of Eurocopter ASB AS 350 No. 67.00.40 and ASB No. 67A010 as applicable, or later approved revisions.

3.    Do not install servo-controls with P/N and S/N as listed in paragraph 1.A Eurocopter ASB AS 350 No. 67.00.40 and ASB EC 130 No. 67A010 as applicable, unless they have returned to conformity as detailed in Eurocopter ASB AS 350 No. 67.00.40 and ASB EC 130 No. 67A010 as applicable, or later approved revisions.

Note:  EASA AD 2007-0099 dated 11 April 2007 refers.

Compliance:

1.    Within 2 months from the effective date of this AD.

2.    Within 2 years from the effective date of this AD.

3.    From the effective date of this AD.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 7 June 2007.

Background: This AD is in response to a manufacturing non-conformity found on one batch of servo-control cap P/N 800137.  A defective servo-control may not stop the rotation of the distributor sleeve which could cause untimely movements of the servo-controls which are used on the main and anti-torque rotors.  This can lead to loss of control of the helicopter.

David Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

26 April 2007