AD/Ecureuil/8 Amdt 2 Starflex Star to Main Rotor Shaft Securing Bolts (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/8 Amdt 1 and issues the following 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/8 Amdt 2 Starflex Star to Main Rotor
Shaft Securing Bolts 4/2007

Applicability:

All model AS 350 helicopters with P/N 350A37-1202-20 and 350A37-1224-20 Starflex star to main rotor shaft securing bolts fitted.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with Aerospatiale AS 350 SB No 05.04 Revision 1.

Note:  Bureau Veritas Directive 80-184-015(B) R1 refers.

Compliance:

For aircraft which have achieved 590 hours time in service - within 10 hours time in service after 30 October 1980.

For aircraft which have achieved 300 hours time in service - upon achieving 600 hours time in service.

For all aircraft - at each subsequent 400 hours time in service after initial inspection in accordance with 1 and 2.

This Amendment becomes effective on 12 April 2007.

Background:

Several cases of fretting corrosion, which can cause cracking, have resulted from loose Starflex star to main rotor shaft securing bolts.

Amendment 1 extended the 300 hourly repetitive inspection period to 400 hours as specified by the manufacturer.

This amendment is issued to change the applicability of the AD to refer to AS350 helicopters with specific bolt part numbers fitted.  There is no change to the requirements or compliance.

The original issue of this AD became effective in March 1988.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

28 February 2007