AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/AS 355/63 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 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 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters
AD/AS 355/63
Amdt 1
Tail Servo Control Rod Eye End Fitting 10/2002
Applicability: All Model AS 355 E, F, F1, F2 and N helicopters, equipped with tail servocontrols not incorporating Mod 073139 or Eurocopter AS 355 Service Bulletin No. 67.00.22.
Requirement: 1. Inspect the eye end fitting to servocontrol rod coupling for correct locking in accordance with instructions in Paragraph 2.A of Eurocopter AS 355 Alert Telex number 05.00.36.
2. If play is found and/or the lockwasher is not correctly positioned carry out the maintenance procedure in paragraph 2B of Eurocopter AS 355 Alert Telex number 05.00.36.
Note: DGAC AD 2001-581-063(A)R1 refers.
Compliance: 1. a. For helicopters that have logged more than 500 flight hours, unless previously accomplished, within 50 flight ho urs, thereafter at intervals not to exceed 550 flight hours.
b. For helicopters that have logged less than 500 flight hours, unless previously accomplished, inspect prior to 550 flight hours, thereafter at intervals not to exceed 550 flight hours.
2. Prior to further flight.
This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 3 October 2002.
Background: Eurocopter received a report of the tail servo control rod eye end fitting disconnecting during flight. This condition led to the progressive reduction of the yaw control range and finally to the loss of servocontrol assistance. This Directive therefore requires an initial inspection followed by the repetitive inspections. Maintenance on the servocontrol rod eye end fitting will also need to be carried out should defects be found during the inspection.
Eurocopter AS 355 (Twin Ecureuil) Series Helicopters
AD/AS 355/63 Amdt 1 (continued)
This amendment reduces the applicability to servo controls incorporating Mod 073139 or SB 67.00.22.
James Coyne
Dele gate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 23 August 2002
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 11 September 2002.