AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE
For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/61 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (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/61
Amdt 1
TR Head Pitch Change Plate Bearing Spacer
13/2004
Applicability: AS 350 helicopters, versions B, B1, B2, B3, BA, BB and D, fitted with the tail rotor pitch change rotating plates, all part numbers, on which Eurocopter modification (Mod) 07 6554 has not been embodied.
This Airworthiness Directive (AD) does not apply to post-mod 076550 pitch change plate assembly part number 350A33-2030-00.
Requirement: 1. Identify position of the spacer and the tail rotor pitch change rotating plate as per provisions of paragraph 2.B.1 of Eurocopter AS350 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB)
05.00.33 R1 dated 15 March 2004 or later revision approved by DGAC / EASA.
2. a. Monitor position of the spacer and the tail rotor pitch change rotating plate for alignment as per provisions of paragraph 2.B.2 of ASB 05.00.33 R1.
The inspection detailed in requirement 2 may be performed by the pilot-in- command, in which case, a certification is to be made by entering AD/ECUREUILl/61 Amdt 1 against the daily inspection certification on the maintenance release. A copy of this directive and of the requirement document must be carried in the helicopter.
2. b. If the paint index marks are aligned, embody Mod 076550 as per the provisions of paragraph 2.B.3 of ASB 05.00.33 R1 or later revision approved by DGAC / EASA.
2. c. If the paint index marks are mis-aligned, embody Mod 076550 as per the provisions of paragraph 2.B.4 of ASB 05.00.33 R1 or later revision approved by DGAC / EASA.
Note 1: DGAC Airworthiness Directive F-2000-222-079R1 as approved by EASA reference number 2004-9369 dated 7 September 2004 refers.
Compliance: 1. Unless previously accomplished, at the latest within 10 flying hours after the effective date of this AD.
2.a. Daily, after the last flight of the day.
2.b. Not later than the next “T” basic inspection.
Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters
AD/ECUREUIL/61 Amdt 1 (continued)
2.c. With-in 25 flying hours from detection of the misalignment.
Note 2: Compliance to the original version of AD/ECUREUILl/61 is an acceptable alternate to this amendment and no further action is required.
This Amendment becomes effective on 23 December 2004.
Background: This amendment of the Airworthiness Directive reflects changes in the document referred to, in the original issue of the AD, namely revision 1 of Eurocopter AS 350 ASB 05.00.33 and revision 1 of DGAC AD F-2000-222-079. The changes are in the effectivity list and there is no difference in the technical contents.
There have been reports of rotation of the bearing spacers in AS350 tail rotor. Such rotation indicates that the inner bearing race may be rotating on its shaft. Rotation may cause excessive wear and cut the rotating plate, which will cause deterioration and loss of pitch control of the tail rotor.
The original issue of the directive addressed unsafe condition caused by the loss of pitch control of the tail rotor.
The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 14 June 2000.
James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 8 November 2004
The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 1 December 2004.
Overview
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has introduced an Airworthiness Directive (AD) addressing safety concerns related to the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters. Specifically, this AD, known as AD/ECUREUIL/61 Amendment 1, targets the issue of bearing spacer rotation in the tail rotor, which can lead to excessive wear, cut the rotating plate, and ultimately result in the deterioration and loss of pitch control of the tail rotor. This AD was enacted to ensure the safe operation of these helicopters by requiring specific actions to be taken to prevent such unsafe conditions. The AD was issued under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 and reflects updates from Eurocopter's Alert Service Bulletin and relevant DGAC and EASA directives. The directive was published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 1 December 2004 and became effective on 23 December 2004, aiming to maintain the airworthiness of the affected helicopters through timely inspections and modifications.
Scope and Application
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/61 Amdt 1 applies specifically to the Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) series helicopters, including versions B, B1, B2, B3, BA, BB, and D, that are fitted with tail rotor pitch change rotating plates. This directive is issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998. It mandates specific actions to address an unsafe condition identified with the rotation of bearing spacers in the tail rotor, which may lead to excessive wear, cutting of the rotating plate, and loss of pitch control. This AD does not apply to AS 350 helicopters that have already incorporated Eurocopter modification (Mod) 07 6554 or post-modification 076550 pitch change plate assembly part number 350A33-2030-00. The geographic reach of this directive is national, applicable throughout Australia. Compliance with this AD is mandatory, with certain actions required within specific timeframes post the effective date of the directive. The AD outlines daily inspections, actions to be taken if misalignment is detected, and the necessity to embody modification 076550 based on the inspection results.
Key Provisions
The Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/ECUREUIL/61 Amdt 1 focuses on the inspection and modification of tail rotor pitch change plate bearing spacers in specific Eurocopter AS 350 (Ecureuil) Series Helicopters (sections 1–4). It applies to AS 350 helicopters of versions B, B1, B2, B3, BA, BB, and D, equipped with tail rotor pitch change rotating plates, provided that Eurocopter modification 07 6554 has not been implemented (section 5). The directive does not apply to post-mod 076550 pitch change plate assemblies part number 350A33-2030-00 (section 5). The primary requirement (section 6) involves identifying the position of the spacer and tail rotor pitch change rotating plate as per Eurocopter AS350 Alert Service Bulletin (ASB)05.00.33 R1 or later revisions. It mandates monitoring the alignment of the spacer and rotating plate (section 6(2)(a)), with inspections potentially performed by the pilot-in-command, who must certify the inspection in the maintenance release. Additionally, if the paint index marks are misaligned, modification 076550 must be embodied as per the relevant provisions of ASB 05.00.33 R1 (section 6(2)(b) and (c)).
The AD imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Firstly, it mandates the identification and monitoring of the spacer and tail rotor pitch change rotating plate alignment as per the ASB (section 6). Secondly, if the pilot-in-command conducts the inspection, they must certify the inspection in the maintenance release and carry a copy of the directive and requirement document in the helicopter (section 6(2)(a)). Thirdly, if misalignment is detected, modification 076550 must be embodied within 25 flying hours (section 6(2)(c)). Furthermore, compliance must be achieved within 10 flying hours after the effective date of the AD, with daily inspections following the last flight of the day, and the next “T” basic inspection (sections 7(1) and 7(2)).
The AD sets out several consequences for non-compliance. Firstly, failure to identify and monitor the alignment of the spacer and rotating plate as required could lead to unsafe conditions, including excessive wear and loss of pitch control of the tail rotor. Secondly, failure to embody modification 076550 within the specified timeframes could result in severe operational risks. While the AD does not explicitly state specific penalties for non-compliance, non-compliance with CASA directives generally may lead to enforcement actions, including fines and potential grounding of the aircraft, as per the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998.