AD/S-Puma/81 Fuselage Intermediate Gearbox Fairing Gutter (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 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters

AD/S-PUMA/81 Fuselage - Intermediate Gearbox Fairing Gutter 2/2009 TX

Applicability:

Model AS 332 C, AS 332 C1, AS 332 L, AS 332 L1, and AS 332 L2 helicopters, all serial numbers, if modified during production with MOD 0725356 or in-service with Eurocopter AS332 Service Bulletin 53.01.10 original issue, or later EASA approved revision; except those that have been modified during production with MOD 0726599 or in-service with Eurocopter AS332 Service Bulletin 53.01.56.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the instructions given in paragraph 2.B of AS332 Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.01.47 Revision 1.

If discrepancies are found during any check, before further flight, perform corrective actions in accordance with the instructions given in paragraph 2.B of AS332 Alert Service Bulletin No. 53.01.47 Revision 1.

Note 1:  After modification of a helicopter in accordance with Eurocopter AS332 Service Bulletin 53.01.56, the repetitive check requirements are no longer required.

Note 2:  EASA Emergency AD 2008-0219-E refers.

Compliance:

Within 15 flight hours after 15 December 2008, unless already accomplished, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 165 flight hours.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 15 December 2008.

Background:

This Directive is issued following reports of separation of the gutter, producing interference with the inclined drive shaft.  The wear resulting from this interference can, in time, lead to the failure of the drive shaft and the loss of the tail rotor drive.

David Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

15 December 2008