AD/SA 315/6 Tail Rotor Blade Skin (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 SA 315 (Lama) Series Helicopters

AD/SA 315/6 Tail Rotor Blade Skin 12/2006

Applicability:

Model SA 315 B helicopters, equipped with tail rotor blade part numbers:

3160S-34-10000, all dash numbers, and 3160S-34-11000, all dash numbers.

Requirement:

Perform an inspection in accordance with paragraph 2.B. of Eurocopter Alert Service Bulletin No. 05.36, of the lower and upper surfaces of blade part numbers:

3160S-34-10000-10, and subsequent,

3160S-34-11000, all dash numbers.

Note:  DGAC AD 1998-288-042(A) R1 refers.

Compliance:

Within 10 flight hours after 23 November 2006, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 flight hours.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 23 November 2006.

Background:

A report was received of a crack in the skin of a tail rotor blade lower surface, near the attachment bolt on the blade cuff stem, on the leading edge side.  Such cracking, unless detected, could result in failure of the blade.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

12 October 2006